No Haaland, no problem - can Foden be Man City's alternative goalscorer?

Phil Foden's magnificent man-of-the-match display in the Champions League against AEK Athens served as a reminder of the prodigious talent that the player still possesses.

After two disappointing seasons in which, by his own admission, he failed to hit the heights expected, there may be those who had 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.

Up until last weekend, that fresh start had been a slow burner with the low point of being sent off in the derby against Manchester United in September, before he sparked into life by netting against Ipswich on Saturday.

That was his first Premier League goal in 10 months and a strike that seems to have opened the floodgates, with the 26-year-old netting a superb hat-trick in the 5-1 hammering of Athens at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

"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."

Source: BBC Sport Open RSS (Open Press / Translated Full Text)