Phil Foden believes he is getting back to his best after scoring a hat-trick in Manchester City's 5-1 thrashing of AEK Athens in the Champions League.
Foden produced a clinical performance as Enzo Maresca's side continued their good form with an emphatic Etihad win. The 26-year-old's sharp touch and finish doubled City's lead after Elliot Anderson's opener, before Rayan Cherki made it three, after the visitors had briefly threatened a comeback.
A fabulous second from Foden extended the advantage further, before the midfielder tapped in from close range to seal the match ball.
Foden's return to goalscoring form was a welcome sight for City, who started without Erling Haaland. Antoine Semenyo's two-month absence also leaves the Cityzens light at centre-forward, with Foden closing out the game in a false nine role. It's a position he says he enjoys, after a standout showing in theChampions League.
“I enjoyed that a lot,” Foden said, viamancity.com.
“The lads were great again. We showed determination again, it wasn’t pretty at times. We were giving sloppy passes away.
“But, we stuck at the game plan and we kept going and in the end we broke them down. Overall I’m delighted. [My favourite goal is] probably the second to be honest. The way it went in.
“I’m delighted to score goals now, I’m a forward so I have to keep scoring and helping the team. It’ll only do good for my confidence.
“Slowly but surely [getting back to my best], still got a long way to go. I’m going in the right direction. Scoring along the way definitely helps.
"I’ve just got to keep working hard and try to be as best as I can for the manager and for the team. Especially when I changed into the false 9 role, I really enjoyed it a lot. In between the lines and in the pockets where I like to be and linking the play. I really enjoyed that role tonight.”