---
title: "Man City player ratings v AEK Athens: Foden perfect as Cherki and Lewis impress"
canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2026/10/21/man-city-player-ratings-aek-athens-phil-foden/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Man City News"
published: "2026-10-21T06:30:00Z"
modified: "2026-10-21T06:30:00Z"
---

# Man City player ratings v AEK Athens: Foden perfect as Cherki and Lewis impress

**Phil Foden produced a superb individual display as**[**City**](https://readmancity.com/) **swept aside AEK Athens 5-1 in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium.**

Foden scored his first Champions League hat-trick and also created Rayan Cherki’s goal, while Elliot Anderson opened the scoring as Enzo Maresca’s much-changed side responded emphatically to their defeat by Paris Saint-Germain.

Here are our City player ratings.

### Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6

Had relatively little to do before Stavros Pilios beat him with a well-taken finish. Made a couple of useful saves later in the second half.

### Rico Lewis – 8

Excellent going forward. Combined particularly well with Foden and supplied two assists for the England international. An influential performance despite AEK finding some space on City’s right for their goal.

### Ruben Dias – 7

A comfortable evening for long periods. Led a young City side as captain and dealt with most of what came his way before being withdrawn late on.

### Abdukodir Khusanov – 7

Quietly effective. Read danger well and produced several interceptions as AEK looked to break quickly.

### Josko Gvardiol – 6

Offered plenty going forward but had a less convincing spell after half-time and was booked. Replaced after 72 minutes after appearing to pick up a knock.

### Elliot Anderson – 8

Reacted sharply to Enzo Fernandez’s free-kick hitting the crossbar to score his first City goal. Energetic throughout and helped City maintain control in midfield.

### Enzo Fernandez – 7

His excellent free-kick created the opening goal and he came close to scoring himself. Kept City’s possession moving before making way with 18 minutes remaining.

### Allan – 7

An encouraging display. Direct with the ball, willing to attack defenders and unfortunate not to score when a powerful effort struck the crossbar.

### Rayan Cherki – 9

A constant creative threat. Produced several clever touches before taking his goal superbly in the second half. Also involved in the build-up to Foden’s second.

### Phil Foden – 10

Outstanding. Three goals and an assist tell much of the story, but his movement and combination play were equally impressive. Followed his goal against Ipswich with his first Champions League hat-trick.

### Floyd Samba – 7

Another encouraging night for the 17-year-old. Won the free-kick which led to Anderson’s opener and pressed energetically before being replaced just after the hour.

## Substitutes

### Ryan McAidoo – 7

Replaced Samba after 62 minutes and made his opportunity count, delivering an excellent cross for Foden to complete his hat-trick.

### Vitor Reis – 6

Introduced for Gvardiol after 72 minutes and settled comfortably into the defence.

### Rayan Ait-Nouri – 6

Came on alongside Reis and gave City fresh legs down the left as they controlled the closing stages.

### Kaden Braithwaite – 6

Replaced Dias for the final eight minutes and gained more valuable Champions League experience.

**Man of the match: Phil Foden – 10/10**

**For all the latest Man City news, reaction and Champions League coverage, visit our** [**Man City news page**](https://readmancity.com/news/)**.**