Phil Foden nets hat-trick as Manchester City ease past AEK Athens in Champions League

Elliot Anderson opened the scoring against the Greek Super League holders after just 12 minutes as he poked home a Enzo Fernandez free-kick before Foden netted his first goal of the night on 34 minutes, with a thumping finish into the roof of the net.

Stavros Pilios reduced the deficit after 52 minutes with his side's first shot on target but Rayan Cherki quickly reestablished a two-goal lead with his effort just five minutes later after a lay-off from Foden, who completed the scoring with a superb first-time hit into the top corner of the net.

It was an important response from City after their 4-2 defeat at home by Champions League holders Paris St-Germain last week.

The result left City in sixth place on the league standings with six points from three games and AEK down in 27th with three points.

Speaking after the game, Man City boss Enzo Maresca tiold TNT Sports: "I think it was a complete performance. It was not easy, especially after the PSG game.

"So we had two games, Ipswich and today that we needed to win and, yes, we did our job. I think again, we concede the goal in transition, but probably could have made something better in that situation.

"Again, we scored five. We could have probably scored more, but happy also because some of the players were not playing many minutes. They were ready and this is important.

“To be honest, it is the best feeling for any manager when you make many changes, but at the end the performance is good, so happy for especially them.”

Foden added: "I enjoyed that a lot. The lads were great again. We showed determination again. It wasn't pretty at times. I thought we stuck at the gameplan, we kept going and in the end we broke them down.

"Probably the second [goal], the way it went it - delighted to score goals. I am a forward, so I have to keep scoring and helping the team. Good for my confidence.

"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 want to keep working hard and keep being the best I can for the manager and the team.

“When I changed into that false nine role I enjoyed it a lot. Really enjoyed that role tonight.”