Foden hat-trick fires City to 5-1 UCL win over AEK Athens

Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as Manchester City beat AEK Athens 5-1 in the UEFA Champions League, with manager Enzo Maresca backing the forward to rediscover his best form.

The result marked City's second European win of the season and came on the back of Foden's goal against Ipswich Town, representing a sharp return to action after a three-game suspension earned from a red card in the derby victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"I was very happy with Phil, even before the red card to be honest," Maresca said at his post-match news conference. "I said since day one I consider him one of the best English players. I know how good he is and we are just trying to help him because I'm sure he will help us."

Maresca acknowledged Foden had endured a difficult spell but expressed no doubts about the player's quality. "We know Phil is a top player. For different reasons he had some problems in the last two years but I know he is going to help us and how good he is. That's why I'm keen to have him in the best way."

The pick of the goals was Foden's second, set up by a long pass from Rayan Cherki to Rico Lewis, who laid the ball back for Foden to finish. Cherki also got on the scoresheet himself with a composed dummy and low finish.

"I think Rayan, like the others, had a good game," Maresca said. "We know we can expect anything from Rayan at any moment."

Asked whether Cherki could be a future Ballon d'Or winner, Maresca kept the focus on collective effort. "I don't know, the only thing I can say, this is a team sport not a single sport. Erling is a top player, so is Rayan and Elliot. We have to think about the 20/25 players that are in the squad."