Derby U23s 0-5 Man City U23s highlights and reaction as McAtee scores brace and Delap starts

Manchester City's under-23s made a winning return to action as they were comfortable victors over Derby this evening in the Premier League 2.

A good run of recent form has seen City jump to the top of the table, and victory at bottom side Derby extend that lead to four points to second-placed West Ham, who have a game in hand.

Brian Barry-Murphy called upon top scorer James McAtee and returning striker Liam Delap, who both came off the bench for the first team in the FA Cup at the weekend. This game had originally been earmarked for Delap to make a long-awaited return from injury, until he was a surprise includion at the Etihad on Saturday - almost scoring before seeing his header ruled out for offside.

McAtee was on the scoresheet in the first half, firing in a free kick, before Darko Gyabi made it two just after the break. McAtee got his second (and 21st goal of the season) shortly after the hour mark, before Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb added the finishing touches to a fine 5-0 win.

Recap the PL2 clash below.

James McAtee scored his 20th and 21st goals of an ever-improving season to cap a fine week that has seen him extend his Manchester City contract and add another first team appearance to his collection.

When he stepped up to fire in a free kick at St George's Park for City under-23s against Derby on Monday night, it would have been the most impressing feat of the lot.

It's been quite the week for McAtee, who seven days before this game was being tipped with a January exit away on loan. He stayed at City, and two days later ended speculation over his permanent future by signing a new contract until 2026. His reward for that was a cameo in the FA Cup on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium, where he looked bright