James McAtee and Liam Delap respond to Pep Guardiola challenge in important Man City U23 win

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 and lively against Championship leaders Fulham.

An under-23 fixture might have brought him back down to earth on Monday, then, with no big contract announcements or 50,000-strong crowd watching on. But this is McAtee's bread and butter, and it's where he will do most of his talking for the rest of the season.

When Darko Gyabi was pulled down midway through the first-half against Derby, there was only going to be one outcome as McAtee, brimming with confidence, hit the set-piece into the back of the net and celebrated like he's just scored at the Etihad.

It was a strong City side at St George's Park, with Liam Delap making his first start since October in an injury-interrupted season and going close twice early on. Kayky was denied one-on-one, while Gyabi was causing problems.

City were without three regulars, though, as Finley Burns has headed out on loan, and there was no sign of Josh Wilson-Esbrand or Romeo Lavia. That meant a defensive shakeup, with CJ Egan-Riley moving into centre-back, with Kwaku Oduroh and