Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as Manchester City beat AEK Athens 5-1 in the Champions League, earning a 9/10 rating in the Manchester Evening News player ratings. The Etihad was barely more than half full, but those who attended saw an entertaining night with homegrown players at the centre of the win.
Homegrown Talent Shines
Floyd Samba, deputising for Erling Haaland as he had done in the Carabao Cup the previous month, won the free-kick that set City on their way. Rico Lewis combined with Foden for the second goal. AEK pulled one back early in the second half, but Rayan Cherki restored the two-goal lead before Foden took over.
After smashing in a second from a lovely touch back from Lewis, Foden completed his hat-trick by tapping in substitute Ryan McAidoo's cross. Haaland was not involved but was on the bench, raising hopes he will be fit to face Aston Villa on Saturday.
Player Ratings Breakdown
Donnarumma received a 6 for putting his team under pressure with risky passes at the back. Lewis was rated 8, with the report noting he was not great for the AEK goal but more than made up for it going forwards, combining particularly well with Foden. Khusanov earned a 7 for tidy play and crunching tackles, while Dias got a 6 after a quiet night that included running the ball out of play in the second half.
Gvardiol scored 7 for decent play going forward and walked off a nasty knock before being substituted. Anderson (7) kept things calm with his foot on the ball, and Fernandez (7) made the opening goal with his free-kick and made intelligent runs. Cherki was rated 8 for showboating and picking out Lewis with a terrific ball for Foden's second, shortly after his own well-taken goal.
Allan got a 7, described as an enigma with trickery that seemed to surprise even his own feet as he finds his feet in English football. Samba (7) drove at the defence with purpose before the first goal and did well on another big night.
Substitutes and Next Steps
McAidoo (for Samba, 63) received a 7 for a nice ball for Foden's third. Reis (for Gvardiol, 73) got a 6 with no dramas, Ait-Nouri (for Fernandez, 73) a 6 for game time, and Braithwaite (for Dias, 82) a 6 for being sensible on the ball. Not used: Rulli, Bettinelli, Guehi, Bouaddi, Ndiaye, Doku, Haaland.
The win keeps City's Champions League campaign on track, with the focus now turning to Saturday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
