City young guns proved they belong, says Dickov | OneFootball

Paul Dickov says the dominant manner of Saturday’s 8-0 FA Cup victory over Salford City more than rewarded manager Pep Guardiola’s faith in City’s phalanx of exciting young guns.

On what proved a memorable evening at the Etihad, 22-year-old James McAtee led the way, weighing in with his first senior hat-trick in eye-catching fashion.

There were also first senior City goals for both teenage midfielder Nico O’Reilly and 20-year-old striker Divin Mubama, while young central defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey again impressed after being handed another starting berth.

While the victory piloted City through into Sunday’s fourth round draw, for former striker Dickov - one of our special guests on the latest edition of Matchday Live – the biggest plus for him was way Pep Guardiola’s youngsters all acquitted themselves so well on the big stage.

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“The key thing when kids burst through to the first team - and we saw it with Phil and Rico - and we see it now is getting trust of the senior players,” Dickov declared.

“And you could that tell right away on Saturday.

“Whether it’s or Jack [Grealish] or Gundo or Phil [Foden] in the second half, if they have seen Nico, or Jahmai or McAtee, they were giving them the ball and they were trusting them with it.

WATCH: McAtee: Etihad hat-trick a special moment

“And to me that says a huge amount about the talent and the mentality pf the young kids coming through.

“I’m also so delighted for McAtee as he has waited so long for his chance.

“He has been in and around the first team for a while now, but the turning point was possibly coming on at Leicester late last month and making such a big impression there and setting up our second goal.

“You could see him grow and grow in confidence after that.

“I think at the start of the season Pep said he’s in the first team squad but has to start believing he’s good enough to be in there.

“And in recent weeks - and especially on Saturday - we have really seen that.”

WATCH: Guardiola delight after young quartet impress

Saturday’s emphatic victory also made it three wins in a row for Guardiola’s side and added to the sense of momentum building once again in the City ranks.

And for former City player and manager Peter Reid – our fellow Matchday Live special guest on Saturday – he believed it provided further evidence that the Premier League champions are getting back to our swashbuckling best.

“I don’t think any club would relish coming up against Manchester City right now. It looks as if they have got their mojo back,” the former England midfielder asserted.

“And the spirit amongst the players was second to none. Even in the tunnel you could tell that with the players and their focus.

“You also could feel it with the fans on Saturday as the supporters were  brilliant from start to the finish.”