Phil Foden reminded the football world of his immense capability during a commanding 5-1 Champions League victory for Manchester City over AEK Athens on Tuesday. The 26-year-old’s performance at the Etihad Stadium, which included a hat-trick and an assist, cemented his status as only the third English player in history to achieve such a feat in the competition, joining Wayne Rooney and former teammate Raheem Sterling. They found another gear and were out of sight by the final whistle, though there was a brief scare for City at the start of the second half when the visitors pulled a goal back to trail 2-1. And by then, Foden had become just the third Englishman to score a hat-trick and provide an assist in a Champions League match after Wayne Rooney for Manchester United in 2004 and former team-mate Raheem Sterling for City in 2019. The second was a stunning finish from just inside the area, Foden opening up his body and caressing a first-time effort into the top corner, while the first and third goals were converted from close range. Foden scored 19 goals as City won the Premier League in 2023-24 and was named the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year and the league’s player of the season.
The display comes after two challenging seasons where Foden struggled to find his best form. By his own admission, he failed to hit the heights expected, there may be those who had forgotten what he can produce, after two disappointing seasons in which.
His exclusion from the England squad for the previous summer’s World Cup was a significant setback, but he entered the current campaign eager for a fresh start under new manager Enzo Maresca. While his season initially stuttered—marked by a difficult moment when he was sent off against Manchester United in September—the midfielder has responded decisively. His recent goal against Ipswich on Saturday, his first Premier League strike in 10 months, appeared to break a mental barrier, triggering the clinical performance against Athens.
Reflecting on his night, Foden expressed genuine relief and satisfaction to TNT Sports. “I enjoyed that a lot,” he noted, emphasizing that the team’s determination was key. Regarding his return to peak form, Foden remained measured, stating, “Slowly, but surely. Still got a long way to go, but I am going in the right direction. Scoring along the way definitely helps.” I am a forward so I have to keep scoring and helping the team.
Manager Enzo Maresca rotated his squad heavily for the match, making eight changes from the team that defeated Ipswich. Although Erling Haaland was listed in the squad, a minor foot injury sustained in the previous match kept him on the sidelines, providing an opportunity for Foden to experiment in a false nine role. The tactical adjustment proved effective, with Foden directly involved in four of City’s five goals. With Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias and Foden the players retained, boss Maresca took a risk by making eight changes from the side that beat Ipswich in their last outing.
Maresca praised the performance, reaffirming his long-standing belief in the player’s ability. “I was very happy with Phil, even before the red card,” the manager said. “I said since day one that I consider him one of the best English players. We know that Phil is a top player. Again, for different reasons, he had some problems in the last two years but he is going to help us.”
Former England international Ashley Young, speaking on Radio 5 Live, highlighted the significance of Foden seizing the chance. “When Phil Foden gets his opportunities tonight, he takes them with both hands. By getting a hat-trick, his confidence is going to be sky high,” Young observed. He added that the performance proved the squad’s depth, noting that Maresca avoided the need to call upon substitutes like Haaland or Jeremy Doku.
The tactical success of moving Foden into the central role was noted by former City defender Joleon Lescott, who described the player’s finishing as “exquisite.” Lescott suggested that Foden has now made a compelling case to be the primary cover for the number nine position should Haaland be unavailable throughout the remainder of the season. He moved into that position later in the game and it paid dividends, with Foden saying he “really enjoyed” the role, after starting on the right.
Despite failing to score in his final 31 appearances for club and country during the previous season, Foden’s commitment to the club remains firm, evidenced by a new four-year deal signed this past July. As he looks to move past the frustrations of recent months, including his dismissal at Old Trafford, the focus shifts to building upon this momentum. For now, Foden appears reinvigorated, eager to continue working hard to meet the high expectations of both his manager and the Manchester City faithful. The red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford could have been damaging but the aim now will be kick on and build on this showing.
