It looked like Pep Guardiola was up to his old tricks again.
Midway through the second half, with Manchester City 4-1 up against Championship leaders Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup, a bumper Etihad Stadium crowd was keen to see youth team standouts Liam Delap and James McAtee.
Guardiola promptly threw on Raheem Sterling (Fulham’s beleaguered defence must have been delighted) and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Yes, Pep, we know. But getting players in match rhythm is pretty low down the list of elements that make up FA Cup magic. Let’s be honest, it’s not on the list at all.
Nevertheless, shortly afterwards, the City faithful had their wish as hulking forward Delap and diminutive playmaker McAtee readied themselves on the touchline.
They might have been granted short cameos but, as the below clock watch shows, the two teenagers got through plenty of work to delight the home fans
77th minute - The Etihad rose as McAtee and Delap stood alongside Bernardo Silva and received final instructions. Speculation over a desire for increased playing minutes surrounded the long-term contract extension McAtee signed this week - as good an explanation as any for Guardiola frantically pointing to the watch on his outstretched arm as he left the midfielder in no doubt over his demands.
Delap simply stood there looking massive alongside Bernardo, who grimaced a little in the face of an absolutely filthy Manchester afternoon. Don’t worry, Bernardo, you never completely grow to love them.
78th minute - Straight away the new men were right into the thick of the action. Delap produced a barrelling piece of hold-up play, occupying Fulham defenders and slipping the ball to McAtee, who was fouled by Anthony Knockaert. On the evidence of the free-kick Sterling blazed high, wide and not so handsome, he should maybe have left it to one of his fellow substitutes.
80th minute - Delap is a centre-forward in the traditional mould, but he dropped off the front to attempt a throughball that was blocked. McAtee was there to pick up the pieces, recycle possession and keep City ticking.
81st minute - In this company, there is a relative lack of precision to Delap’s play, but he puts defenders ill at ease and that alone can make things happen. This was a case in point as he failed to control Kyle Walker’s throw-in but Fulham were panicked into giving away a corner that Bernardo curled into Paulo Gazzaniga’s arms.
82nd minute - By contrast, McAtee looks like part of the furniture rather than someone eager to rearrange it. In his and Delap’s respective positions, this feels perfect. The ‘Salford Silva’ showed himself to be on the same wavelength as his colleagues, collecting Sterling’s pass via a dummy from Ilkay Gundogan before finding Bernardo.
84th minute - More of Delap’s exciting take on chaos theory. He scuffed an attempted lay-off but then stormed forward in imposing fashion to play in Sterling. The England forward thought about the return pass before having his shot blocked.
85th minute - McAtee was tidy under pressure, coming in from the right. He saw off the attentions of Nathaniel Chalobah and Jean Michael Seri before laying the ball to Fernandinho. Overall, McAtee completed all 14 of his passes, including nine in the opposition half.
90th minute - The moment everyone wanted to see… almost. McAtee carried the ball confidently through midfield and found Gundogan. The Germany international’s inswinging cross from the left was headed home by a stooping Delap, but the striker strayed fractionally offside.
“He's a type of striker that we don't have. He's a killer, a typical British striker, an incredible finisher,” Guardiola said afterwards.
91st minute - In his own half, McAtee stole in to turnover possession - more of the sort of work that pleases Pep.
93rd minute - Again showing he has the required work-rate to thrive at City, McAtee harrassed Tosin Adarabioyo and was able to get the ball to Bernardo - the fourth time he linked up with the Portugal star during his cameo. Gundogan blazed off target with the eventual shot.
What did you think of McAtee and Delap's performances? Follow City Is Ours editor Dom Farrell on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
