Foden treble inspires five-star City to AEK Athens triumph

Men's Team

Three Premier League games in December moved for TV coverage

England midfielder Anderson got a City side showing eight changes from Saturday’s win over Ipswich off to a perfect start by slotting home his first goal since joining the Club on 12 minutes.

Foden then made it two goals in two games as he extended the Blues advantage on 34 minutes after fine work by Rico Lewis.

Though AEK narrowed the deficit on 52 minutes through Stavros Pilios, City were not to be denied and within six minutes Rayan Cherki extended the Blues’ advantage with a  quite brilliant drag back and crisp finish.

Foden was there again on 66 minutes, executing a superb strike from just inside the box after another inviting Lewis assist.

And he sealed a brilliant night’s work on 76 minutes by sealing what was his fourth City career hat-trick.

The game in brief

With the clash coming in the middle of a relentless fixture schedule, Enzo Maresca opted to make a plethora of changes to his starting eleven – but there was still a welcome familiarity about City’s application and dominance.

Teenage striker Floyd Samba was amongst those given the opportunity to shine from the start – and it was the 17-year-old’s drive and desire that helped deliver City’s 12th minute opener from Anderson.

After Samba had been upended on the edge of the AEK box, Enzo Fernández thundered in a dipping free kick that clipped the underside of the bar.

Anderson had the foresight and desire to get to the rebound, fending off Lazaros Rota to drill home his maiden goal for City.

It was the perfect start – and Allan, another to be afforded his chance, almost doubled the lead on 23 minutes only for the woodwork to deny the Brazilian winger after he unleashed a thunderous shot from the left edge of the box.

However, Maresca’s men didn’t have to wait too long for that second goal with Foden striking just past the half hour.

Having waited 10 months before finding the target on his return against Ipswich last weekend, the Academy graduate was there again when it mattered, applying a superb close-range finish after great work by Rico Lewis.

Only a desperate block by AEK skipper Moukoudi prevented Fernández further extending City’s lead after the restart, the Greeks’ deflection guiding the ball just the wrong side of the target.

However, it was AEK who did find the target, a sweeping 52nd minute counter attack allowing Stavros Pilios the time and space to drill a low shot past Donnarumma and inside the left hand upright.

It was a shock but City responded in perfect fashion within five minutes through the latest slice of Rayan Cherki genius.

Receiving the ball from Foden just inside the AEK box, the French maverick first executed a delicious drag back before then despatching a clinical finish to the Etihad’s delight.

Foden then got in on the scoring act again on 65 minutes, the England man finishing off a terrific move in style after another superb Lewis assist.

And he was there to register a deserved hat-trick on 76 minutes meeting a fine cross from substitute Ryan McAidoo to set the seal on a fine night’s work.

Teams

CITY XI: Donnarumma, Lewis, Khusanov, Dias (C) (Braithwaite 81), Gvardiol (Aït-Nouri 73), Anderson, Fernández (Reis 73) , Allan, Cherki, Foden, Samba (McAidoo 63).

Subs: Rulli, Bettinelli, Guéhi, Ndiaye, Haaland, Doku, Bouaddi.

AEK ATHENS XI: Brignoli, Rota, Moukoudi (C), Relvas, Pilios, Majer, Arriaga, Marin (Koita 45), Joao Mario (Zubkov 64), Varga, Jovic

Subs: Balamotis, Kairinen, Gacinovic, Mantalos, Vida, Lykogiannis, Vitalis, Zini

Attendance: 40,042

STAR PLAYER

Enzo Maresca has insisted Saturday’s goal against Ipswich was just the start for Phil Foden - and the boss was again as good as his word.

Foden was a player inspired against AEK and at the heart of so much that was good about the Blues.

He dovetailed superbly with fellow Academy graduate Rico Lewis for two of his goals and his latest City hat-trick was no less than he deserved.

It all augurs so well looking to the rest of the season.  

Stat zone

Tonight marked City’s 150th UEFA Champions League fixture – and it was one that followed the pattern of so many others down the years with City both dominant and decisive when it mattered.

The tie may not have carried the cache and glamour of last week’s home meeting with Paris Saint-Germain – but it was no less important.

And the Blues more than did their job in both securing a precious three points to boost our drive for a top eight finish as well as maintaining momentum on both the domestic and European stage.

Squad goals

With the fixtures coming thick and fast across a crowded schedule, the quality and depth of City’s squad was amply illustrated with Maresca opting to ring the changes.

Afforded the opportunity to impress the likes of Allan, Floyd Samba and Rico Lewis all more than caught the eye with their quality and industry dovetailing to great effect.

With plenty more games on the horizon they will prove crucial additions to City’s armoury as we go deeper into Autumn and beyond.

Enzo’s reaction

I was very happy with Phil. Even before the red card to be honest.

I said since day one I consider him one of the best English players for the past few years.

I know how good he is and we are just trying to help him because I’m sure he will help us.

We know Phil is a top player.

For different reasons he had some problems in the last two years . I know he is going to help us and how good he is.

That’s why I’m keen to have him the best way. 

FODEN reaction

I enjoyed that a lot. The lads were great again. We showed determination again, it wasn’t pretty at times. We were giving sloppy passes away.

But, we stuck at the game plan and we kept going and in the end we broke them down.

I’m going in the right direction. Scoring along the way definitely helps. I’ve just got to keep working hard and try to be as best as I can for the manager and for the team.

Overall I’m delighted.

What it means

Victory leaves City with a six-point haul from our first three matches in this season’s European campaign.

Ahead of Wednesday night’s fixtures it leaves the Blues in sixth place in the composite table.

Our next UCL clash is a trip to Germany to tackle RB Leipzig on Wednesday, November 4, kick-off 20.00.

What’s next

The focus switches back to the Premier League on Saturday when we make the trip to tackle Aston Villa.

It’s a first early kick-off of the season too, with the action at Villa Park getting underway at 12.30 (UK).