Phil Foden became the third Englishman to score a hat-trick and provide an assist in a Champions League match after Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling, as Manchester City thrashed AEK Athens 5-1 at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. His man-of-the-match display was a reminder of the prodigious talent he still possesses.
After two disappointing seasons in which, by his own admission, he failed to hit the heights expected, some may have forgotten what he can produce. Being left out of the England squad for the World Cup last summer did not help, but he came into this season telling reporters he was looking forward to a “fresh start” under new manager Enzo Maresca.
That fresh start had been a slow burner until last weekend. The low point came when he was sent off in the derby against Manchester United in September. He then sparked into life by netting against Ipswich on Saturday, his first Premier League goal in 10 months. That strike seems to have opened the floodgates, and the 26-year-old followed it with a superb hat-trick against Athens.
“I enjoyed that a lot,” Foden told TNT Sports. “The lads were great again. We showed determination again. I am a forward so I have to keep scoring and helping the team. It is good for my confidence.”
Asked if he was returning to his best form, Foden said: “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.”
Foden enjoys night in false nine role
Foden had a hand in four of the five goals and sent City fans home happy. Maresca took a risk by making eight changes from the side that beat Ipswich in their last outing. Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias and Foden were the players retained.
Striker Erling Haaland was named in the squad but ultimately got the night off after sustaining a blow to the foot in the previous game. That gave Maresca the chance to explore his suggestion that Foden could offer a “solution” in the false nine role.
Foden started on the right and moved into that position later in the game. It paid dividends, and he said he “really enjoyed” the role.
City had a brief scare at the start of the second half when the visitors pulled a goal back to trail 2-1. They then found another gear and were out of sight by the final whistle.
By then, Foden had become just the third Englishman to score a hat-trick and provide an assist in a Champions League match. Rooney achieved the feat for Manchester United in 2004, and former team-mate Sterling did so for City in 2019.
Foden converted the first and third goals from close range. The second was a stunning finish from just inside the area, as he opened up his body and caressed a first-time effort into the top corner.
“Beautiful – that’s the word I would use to describe him,” former City defender Joleon Lescott said of Foden on TNT Sports. “His finishing was exquisite.
“I think he has convinced the manager that if Erling Haaland isn’t available for any reason throughout the season, then he is the man to play at number nine.”
‘Foden answering manager’s questions’
Foden scored 19 goals as City won the Premier League in 2023-24. He was named the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year and the league’s player of the season.
He ended last season by failing to score in his last 31 games for club and country. Despite those struggles, he signed a new four-year deal in July.
The red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford could have been damaging. The aim now is to kick on and build on this showing.
“I was very happy with Phil, even before the red card to be honest,” said Maresca. “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.
“That is why we are so keen to have him in the best way.”
Former England winger Ashley Young said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “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.
“Enzo Maresca is going to be happy he hasn’t had to bring on Erling Haaland or Jeremy Doku. He has been able to use the players that are in his squad.
“This is no way a second-string but you have got to go our there and show the manager ‘I should be playing’.
“Foden is answering his manager’s questions.”