Phil Foden scored a hat-trick and Rayan Cherki and Elliot Anderson also scored as Manchester City beat AEK Athens 5-1 at the Etihad in the Champions League. The win gave City six points from three league-phase matches and recovered ground after their defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Manchester, England: The early goal came from a free kick that never quite did its job. Enzo Fernández’s set piece struck the crossbar, the rebound dropped, and Elliot Anderson was there to bury it. From that moment City controlled the night, and Foden finished it with three goals.
Anderson opens his City account
Anderson’s finish in the 12th minute was his first goal for the club. City kept the ball well after that, holding 64 per cent of possession and creating the better chances. Foden doubled the lead in the 34th minute, finishing from close range after a flowing move, and City led 2-0 at the break.
AEK threaten briefly
The visitors found a way back into the match early in the second half. Stavros Pilios hit a low shot past Donnarumma on a counter-attack in the 52nd minute, and for a short spell the Etihad grew edgy. City needed only five minutes to settle it.
Foden takes over
Rayan Cherki finished with his left foot to make it 3-1 in the 57th minute. Foden then scored his second in the 65th minute from a Rico Lewis lay-off, and his third in the 76th, heading in a cross from teenage substitute Ryan McAidoo. The hat-trick came for the England forward days after he had scored in City’s 3-2 win over Ipswich on Saturday.
The statistics reflected the gap. City had 17 shots to AEK’s 11, seven on target to three, and 8 corners to 3. Expected goals favoured the hosts by 2.92 to 0.77, according to match data.
Recovery after Paris
The result was a necessary one. Last week City lost 4-2 at home to Paris Saint-Germain in a match in which Erling Haaland scored twice. The win leaves Enzo Maresca’s side with six points from their first three matches, and sixth in the combined table before Wednesday’s fixtures, according to the club.
City travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday and then visit RB Leipzig in the Champions League on 4 November.
Result: Manchester City 5 (Anderson, Foden 3, Cherki), AEK Athens 1 (Pilios). Half-time: 2-0. Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Competition: UEFA Champions League, league phase, Matchday 3.
