Manchester City duo James McAtee and Tommy Doyle both scored for Sheffield United on Boxing Day, the latest evidence that the two youngsters are benefiting from their loan spells.
McAtee, 20, and Doyle, 21, both joined the Championship side over the summer but initially struggled to have much of an impact. Doyle enjoyed a decent loan spell at Cardiff City last season so had experience at Championship level, but there were concerns that McAtee - who signed a new long-term contract at City earlier this year - would struggle to adapt to the physicality of the division.
However, in the weeks just before the World Cup both appeared to be finding their feet, and when Sheffield United took on Coventry City on Boxing Day they showed just why City rate them so highly.
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McAtee opened the scoring ten minutes before half-time when he calmly finished off a counter-attack. Doyle later put the hosts three goals up, converting a cross with his first touch after coming off the bench. The 3-1 win put the Blades level with Burnley at the top of the Championship table, albeit having played one game more.
The role the two youngsters played delighted the locals at Bramall Lane, but perhaps not as much as City fans eager to see both succeed at City when they return to the club.
Here's what City fans on Twitter made of McAtee's and Doyle's exploits.
@PlayfulTipz: This James McAtee loan is turning out to be a success.
@JuneAsh8: Starter soon next season?
@kassW1998: James Silva!
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