Manchester City’s academy graduates are beginning to become important players for Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

There were plenty of positives to take from Manchester City’s 5-2 win over Crystal Palace at the Etihad yesterday. Kevin De Bruyne wound back the clock as he inspired his team to a crucial victory. Omar Marmoush continued his impressive start to life at the Etihad with another goal. But seeing three of Manchester City’s academy graduates play their part in Pep Guardiola’s side’s crucial win was another positive to take from yesterday’s match.

Yesterday saw Rico Lewis, Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee all start in a must-win match for Manchester City. After City fell 2-nil down in the game’s early stages, Pep Guardiola needed his entire team to step up if they were to pick a crucial three points. Kevin De Bruyne led the way but all of Manchester City’s players played their part in the win. The performances of McAtee and O’Reilly stood out, and Rico Lewis did his part in his team’s dominant second-half performance.

Nico O’Reilly once again shows that he has added something new to the Manchester City lineup.

We saw Nico O’Reilly start at left-back yesterday. He once again showed his immense technical ability and his overall play from the position was a key element to City’s comeback. O’Reilly is a midfielder by trade and he does offer that skillset to Pep Guardiola’s side when he plays at left-back. He played a key role in Manchester City’s comeback and grabbed his first Premier League goal for Manchester City to wrap up a 5-2 win. Nico O’Reilly showed once again that his size, athleticism and technical ability are of tremendous value to Pep Guardiola’s side. His rise to become a starter for Manchester City has been a positive to take from City’s recent games.

James McAtee scored and showed his versatility upfront for Pep Guardiola’s side.

We also saw James McAtee start for Manchester City yesterday. McAtee provided versatility and a goal threat to Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad. On another day, he could’ve scored a hat trick. Such were the chances McAtee was provided with. But his movement and ability to play as a false nine or on the wing for City was crucial to their win. McAtee scored Manchester City’s fourth goal of yesterday’s match and the piece of skill from McAtee after a brilliant long ball from Ederson helped City put a plucky Crystal Palace outfit away. In a season where you did wonder if McAtee should’ve been given more opportunities he showed that he can play a role in this Manchester City side.

Rico Lewis did his bit to aid his team’s cause.

Young right-back Rico Lewis also did his bit for his team yesterday. His influence on the game wasn’t as pronounced as Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee’s displays. But as Manchester City put in a dominant second-half display, Lewis did help his team control the second half. He was caught out defensively at times in the first half. But as Pep Guardiola’s side controlled the second half Lewis was a contributor to this. Rico Lewis won’t get the plaudits of McAtee or O’Reilly but he did do his part for his team yesterday.

We saw three of Manchester City’s academy graduates all play an important role in City’s 5-2 win over Crystal Palace yesterday. As Pep Guardiola’s squad is rebuilt in the summer you can see where the trio could fit into City’s rebuild. They also have a key role to play in the efforts of Manchester City to secure Champions League football for next season. Based on how the trio performed yesterday it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them make an impact on that front as well.