Sensational Foden suffered a hat trick, Guardiola's City showed Meyer's AEK who's boss

Manchester City defeated AEK Athens 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium, securing their second win in the league phase. Phil Foden scored a hat-trick to lead the charge, ending a ten-month goal drought in European competition. The victory allowed the English champions to bounce back from their previous defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. Croatian defender Joško Gvardiol played until the 73rd minute, receiving a yellow card in the 59th minute, while his compatriot Lovro Majer completed the full ninety minutes for the visiting side. The match began with an early breakthrough for the hosts. In the 12th minute, Enzo Fernández clipped a free-kick onto the crossbar, allowing Elliot Anderson to tap the rebound into an empty net. This was Anderson’s first goal for Manchester City since his transfer from Nottingham Forest during the summer. The Greek visitors showed resilience in possession during the opening quarter but struggled to threaten the City box consistently. Before halftime, Foden extended the lead in the 34th minute. He initiated a move from the right flank, executed a double pass with a teammate, and finished from close range. AEK Athens responded immediately after the break. Stavros Pilios scored in the 52nd minute to reduce the deficit. However, the goal galvanized Manchester City. Just five minutes later, Rayan Cherki restored the two-goal margin with a skillful strike. He received the ball, sent a defender past him, and curled the shot with his left foot into the bottom corner. Foden added his second goal of the evening in the 65th minute, arriving at a perfectly placed pass from Rico Lewis to finish the move. Lewis provided his second assist of the match eleven minutes later, delivering a cross from the right side that Foden tapped into the empty net for his third goal. Gvardiol featured prominently on the left side for Manchester City. Media assessments described his performance as active, noting that he provided width to the city’s attack. One outlet rated him seven out of ten, praising his forward threat, while another gave him six and a half, suggesting his approach was occasionally too aggressive against a physically strong opponent. A third source awarded him a seven, emphasizing his contribution to the team’s offensive structure. Despite the high-profile nature of Foden’s performance, Gvardiol’s display was considered solid, though he did not emerge as the primary star of the match. He was substituted in the 73rd minute. Lovro Majer, playing for AEK Athens, remained on the pitch for the entire duration of the game. Manager Enzo Maresca made eight changes to the starting lineup compared to the recent victory over Ipswich Town. These adjustments included returning Fernández and Anderson to the starting XI. Erling Haaland was left on the bench due to injury concerns, a situation exacerbated by the eight-week sidelineing of Antoine Semenyo. With senior attacking options limited, Maresca deployed 17-year-old academy graduate Floyd Samba, who had previously scored twice on his senior debut in the Carabao Cup. The match was played in front of half-empty stands, with many local fans staying away due to fixture congestion and ticket costs. Conversely, the visiting AEK supporters filled a section of the stadium, creating a lively atmosphere from several hours before kickoff. Foden’s performance marks a potential turning point in his career. The 26-year-old had not scored in ten months prior to his goal against Ipswich on Saturday. He has admitted to struggling with mental health issues and was omitted from England’s World Cup squad earlier this year. His current form under Maresca contrasts sharply with his previous status under former manager Pep Guardiola. Maresca stated that Foden’s resurgence provides the team with an additional tactical weapon. The England manager, Thomas Tuchel, is preparing squads for upcoming Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain in November, and Foden’s recent displays may influence selection decisions. Manchester City’s broader context remains complicated by off-field legal battles. The club is awaiting the result of an appeal against a ruling that found them guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial regulations. Reports suggest a significant points deduction is imminent, which could impact their standing in the domestic league. Despite these external pressures, the team has maintained strong results, winning ten of their last eleven competitive matches in all competitions. The Champions League campaign continues to serve as a platform for the squad to demonstrate stability amidst uncertainty. The final scoreline reflected the disparity in quality between the teams. AEK Athens managed to hold possession effectively at times but lacked the finishing quality to challenge Manchester City beyond the single goal. The hosts controlled the tempo, shifting quickly from defensive structures to attacking transitions. The performance ensured Manchester City moved to six points in the group stage, consolidating their position after the initial setback against the reigning champions. The match concluded with a comfortable victory for the home side, capping a night defined by individual brilliance from Foden and collective effort from the rest of the squad.