Phil Foden delivered a commanding hat trick as Manchester City swept aside AEK Athens 5-1 to breathe fresh life into their UEFA Champions League campaign.

The England midfielder was the standout performer on a night that saw City put on a dominant display — and do so without their talismanic striker Erling Haaland, who was rested for the occasion.

Foden's treble underlined his growing importance to Pep Guardiola's side and offered a timely reminder of the depth of quality available at the Etihad. Even without their leading marksman, City proved more than capable of taking apart their opponents in clinical fashion.

The 5-1 scoreline leaves no room for doubt about the scale of the victory. AEK Athens offered little resistance against a Manchester City side that moved through the gears with ease, combining sharp passing, intelligent movement, and lethal finishing.

The result marks a significant boost for City as they look to reassert themselves among the continent's elite in this season's Champions League.