Phil Foden delivered a stunning hat-trick as Manchester City swept aside AEK Athens 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, securing their second UEFA Champions League victory of the season.

Foden, who had endured a ten-month wait for a goal before this recent purple patch, netted three times to follow up his strike against Ipswich at the weekend. His first two finishes arrived courtesy of Rico Lewis assists, and the display carried all the hallmarks of the electrifying form that made him one of Europe's most feared attackers.

City's depth on show

Erling Haaland was named on the bench but never called upon, with Enzo Maresca choosing 17-year-old Floyd Samba to lead the line. The decision was a statement in itself — City demonstrated they possess the firepower to dismantle opponents even without their leading striker.

The hosts established control early, with Elliot Anderson breaking the deadlock in the 12th minute. Foden then added his first in the 34th minute to give City a commanding first-half lead. The Greeks struggled throughout a punishing opening period in which City registered 10 attempts on Alberto Brignoli's goal, with Allan rattling the crossbar and Rayan Cherki going close.

Second-half surge

AEK Athens offered a rare moment of hope when Stavros Pilios pulled one back in the 52nd minute — their first shot on target of the evening. The optimism, however, lasted barely five minutes. Cherki restored the two-goal cushion in the 57th minute, and Foden put the result beyond doubt with goals in the 65th and 76th minutes to complete his hat-trick.

The last time Foden scored three times in a single match was April 2024. It has been a long road back to his brilliant best for the City Academy graduate, long regarded as a Pep Guardiola favourite. On this evidence, he is close to recapturing that level.