James McAtee scores Panenka as Man City U23s do what first team can't to take control of title race

After sitting on the first-team bench to see Harry Kane consign Manchester City to a costly defeat in the Premier League on Saturday evening, James McAtee and Liam Delap dusted themselves off to lead the under-23s to a hugely important victory on Sunday lunchtime.

McAtee, Delap and midfielder Romeo Lavia were all in the senior squad for the Premier League reverse to Spurs on Saturday, but were named in the EDS starting line-up just 17 hours later as Premier League 2 leaders City hosted second-placed West Ham.

With just six games remaining after this top-of-the-table clash, City knew they could put seven points between themselves and the Hammers - who have a game in hand - and move a big step closer to retaining the title they won for the first time last season.

Defeat and West Ham would have the title in their hands, so it was no surprise that Brian Barry-Murphy called upon his more experienced academy players.

And it was McAtee and Delap, with five first-team appearances between them in the last five games, who were key to this impressive win on Sunday as the young Blues did what their senior colleagues couldn't by taking full control of their title race this weekend.

It didn't take long for City to take the lead, despite a bright West Ham start.

Juan Larios, in at left-back for the absent Josh Wilson-Esbrand, sent a tempting through ball for Delap who tempted a foul from Ajibola Alese just five minutes in.

Once Alese had been shown a yellow card, there were no doubts over who would take the penalty, as top scorer McAtee stepped up and chipped a delightful Panenka in off the underside of the crossbar.

The goal was his 17th Premier League 2 goal in as many appearances and the finish was one of supreme confidence