What a strange season it has turned out to be for Manchester City. The club is playing terrifically in Premier League matches, and the only blemish in real games is a letdown against Paris Saint-Germain in Champions League play. City had a chance to make up for that against AEK Athens on Tuesday, and they did, getting the victory 5-1.
Not that the Blues came into the match at their healthiest. While Man City defeated Ipswich Town on Saturday, the final stretch saw several key players get dinged up with injuries. That included Antoine Semenyo, who is going to miss as much as eight weeks with a knee issue.
Could Man City survive the AEK Athens match without having others get hurt or aggravating injuries to players like Erling Haaland? That might have been as important as the match itself. Maybe not having more get hurt should have been one of the winners that followed (but it won't be).
Winners and losers from Manchester City's match against AEK Athens
Winner: Elliot Anderson
Anderson hadn't scored since arriving from Nottingham Forest in July, but that changed early against AEK Athens. After a direct free kick his the top post, Anderson pounced with a blow to the jaw and put the ball into the back of the net.
As Man City initially left out players like Erling Haaland, Anderson was free to have a little fun. He followed through.
Winner: Phil Foden
He's back! After not scoring since December 2025, Foden has scored four goals in the last two matches. His feel for where he needs to be and he has then taken advantage of his opportunities. All since he returned from a three-match ban for a violent act against Manchester United.
The hope is that he continues to be brilliant, as that would further help City push for a Premier League title. He's been great in the past and is continuing to be so.
Winner: Gianluigi Donnarumma
He gave up an excusable goal, sure, but he mostly had the night off while being on the pitch the entire time. Mostly, City had control of the ball and Donnarumma could just watch the action from his end of the pitch. What could be better for a goalkeeper?
Winner: The City kids
By the end of the match, a bunch of teenagers were on the pitch for Manchester City, and the future looks bright. That includes Ryan McAidoo, who set up Phil Foden's third goal beautifully. The Blues got to rest Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku, and even if the club is punished heavily with sanctions, the club is so loaded with young talent that the future should be just fine, with one large sanction caveat.
17-year-old Floyd Samba got the start and earned valuable experience. The kind that could make him special for many years to come.
Loser: Those poor AEK Athens fans
To be fair, every club should have supporters like AEK Athens. They showed up at the home of Manchester City and made their voices heard, literally. They never stopped singing and hoping their club would do something special, and that is how all fans should be.
They ultimately were sent home watching their club lose, though. Hopefully, they have better days ahead in the Greek Super League because they deserve that.
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