Manchester City managed to get their latest Carabao Cup campaign off to a winning start on Tuesday night.
Just two days after drawing 2-2 with Arsenal in the Premier League, City were back in action at the Etihad Stadium for their third-round Carabao Cup tie against Watford.
Even though Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes grabbed the goals on the night for the Blues, another player in the starting XI found himself being praised for what he did during the game by someone who knows what it takes to play for City.
David James hails James McAtee for efforts in Man City vs Watford
Speaking in a livestream shared on City’s official YouTube channel at the halftime point of their win over Watford, David James said this about James McAtee and his efforts in the first half of the match.
He said: “Short pass back to the goalkeeper he’s intercepted that got to the byline got it back into Jack [Grealish], Jack’s pass to Doku and then it was a lovely bit of footwork and smashed into the bottom right-hand corner.
“Had he not closed the ‘keeper down and intercepted the ball then obviously the goal wouldn’t have occurred so his involvement might not be by scoring but it’s allowing his teammate [to score] sharing is caring.
“[For the second goal] slide tackle to get the ball back into possession I think within two passes another goal so his involvement has been very very very positive so far.
“Jack gave him a pass in the first minute which he unfortunately didn’t get the contact that he wanted to get the shot off but he as I said he’s been so involved in so much of the game recycling the ball for the two goals and he looks hungry.”
McAtee played a key role in Watford win
Making his first start since the Community Shield clash against Manchester United, McAtee showed on Tuesday night how useful he can be for Pep Guardiola’s side.
For example, as James mentioned, the midfielder’s pressure on a short backpass from the Watford defence to the goalkeeper led to him nabbing the ball and giving it to Grealish who then played in Doku to open the scoring and put the hosts ahead.
Back in July, McAtee revealed that Guardiola tells him to express himself on the pitch, which is what he did by pressuring the Watford defence to lose the ball and turn it into a goalscoring chance for his side.
Completing the full 90 minutes, the 21-year-old made two key passes in the match as well as completing one of the two dribbles he attempted.
McAtee also did his bit defensively by making two tackles, one clearance and winning three of the five ground duels he was involved in.
Having shown how useful he can be and how he can make things happen on the pitch, it’ll be interesting to see if the Englishman starts to get some game time in the Premier League moving forward.
