Phil Foden made the biggest statement on a subdued evening at the Etihad Stadium, underlining his return to form with a natural hat-trick as Manchester City comfortably overcame AEK Athens. Enzo Maresca had urged his players to generate excitement despite the ongoing noise surrounding the club, and this controlled victory helped revive their Champions League campaign following the defeat by Paris Saint-Germain.
The official attendance was recorded as 40,042, although the stadium appeared less crowded. Those present watched Foden excel both on the right flank and through the middle, proving City could thrive without Erling Haaland, who remained among the substitutes. The visitors struggled to match the Premier League team, with Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki also finding the net. Stavros Pilios scored AEK’s consolation goal, giving their lively yellow-and-black supporters something to celebrate.
Foden has experienced a challenging spell, with his goal on Saturday representing his first since the middle of December. He has spent much of the campaign out of the starting side, including a suspension after he was dismissed for reacting angrily in the Manchester derby. He looked frustrated at that stage of the season, but his performances are becoming more liberated as he moves between different positions with increasing confidence and impact.
“I am improving step by step,” Foden said when discussing his return to top form. “There is still plenty of progress to make, but I feel I am moving in the right direction. Scoring goals certainly gives me confidence. I want to continue working hard and contribute as much as possible for the manager and the team. I particularly enjoyed moving into the false-nine position and playing that role tonight.”
Maresca made a calculated decision to change eight players, bringing Enzo Fernández and Anderson back into the starting lineup while keeping Haaland available only if absolutely necessary. With few experienced alternatives, 17-year-old academy player Floyd Samba led the attack. His only previous senior appearance had come in a Carabao Cup victory against Norwich, where he marked his debut with two goals.
The fixture attracted limited excitement, with large sections of empty blue seats visible around the stadium. That was understandable given City’s demanding schedule and the expense of regularly attending matches. Many supporters viewed the meeting with AEK as one they could afford to miss, expecting a comfortable result against opponents without internationally renowned stars. In contrast, the travelling fans packed three tiers in one corner and created a festive atmosphere from two hours before the match. “Our supporters are incredible,” said AEK head coach Marko Nikolic.
With the home crowd offering little noise, the players needed to provide the spark. That moment arrived in the 12th minute when Fernández curled a free-kick against the crossbar. Anderson reacted quickest and drove the rebound into the unguarded net. The restrained celebrations reflected the straightforward nature of the breakthrough.
AEK attempted to hold firm, but City soon established control, circulating possession comfortably and keeping their opponents at a safe distance. Foden and Cherki repeatedly looked for openings with their quick movement in crowded areas. City’s patience eventually paid off when Rico Lewis produced clever work on the right and supplied Foden for the finish. The two academy graduates combined effectively, while Lewis demonstrated the attacking qualities he can offer from full-back despite receiving limited playing time recently and nearly leaving the club 16 months earlier.
Pilios struck powerfully to score for AEK, but City quickly regained their two-goal cushion through Cherki. The Frenchman created space with a clever move inside the penalty area before guiding an accurate effort into the corner. Given the opportunity to take greater responsibility, he delivered at an important moment and showed the individual quality he can bring to the team.
City’s attempt to prepare for matches without Haaland became more important after Antoine Semenyo was ruled out for eight weeks through injury. Starting Samba appeared to be a solution well down Maresca’s list of preferred options, yet the teenager performed his role intelligently, occupying defenders and creating room for his more experienced teammates to display their attacking range.
City began playing with greater flair once AEK recognised that further resistance was unlikely to succeed. Cherki delivered a long pass that Lewis controlled into Foden’s path, and the forward met it first time from the edge of the area, sending an outstanding finish into the top corner. The quality of the goals brought excitement to an evening that otherwise felt routine.
It was also an encouraging occasion for City’s academy, with substitute Ryan McAidoo providing an excellent cross for Foden to complete his hat-trick with the instincts of a seasoned centre-forward. The goal produced the loudest reaction of the night, as supporters welcomed the chance to celebrate a player developed by their own club during an uncertain period.
“I regard him as one of England’s finest players, although for several reasons he has not performed at the required level over the past two or three years,” Maresca said. “I understand how talented he is, and we are working to support him because we are confident he will make an important contribution this season.”
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