Despite Manchester City going out of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham and also picking up fresh injury concerns over a host of players there were positives for the champions to take out of last night’s match. Pep Guardiola’s side took it up to the hosts and were unlucky not to force an equaliser late on. City’s academy lads all showed what they can do throughout last night’s match. But one in particular showed he isn’t out of place at the very top. Nico O’Reilly impressed throughout last night’s game for the world champions.

Nico O’Reilly started last night’s game nervously. Early on it did appear that the occasion may have gotten to the young Manchester City midfielder. But as the game progressed he grew into the game. O’Reilly showed the poise and technical ability he displayed during City’s pre-season tour of the United States. The fact that he did this against a quality Tottenham outfit made O’Reilly’s performance stand out that little bit more. As injuries hit the champions O’Reilly stood tall when his team needed him to stand up. That is a credit to the young midfielder. O’Reilly’s night was almost capped with a late equaliser, but a spectacular goal-line clearance denied O’Reilly his moment.

Pep Guardiola was full of praise for the performances of his young players following Manchester City’s defeat. James McAtee, Jacob Wright and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey all showed flashes of their quality against Tottenham last night. He has special praise for the performances of Nico O’Reilly. Speaking post-game about City’s youngsters Guardiola said: “The Nico we saw tonight was the Nico we met last season – what a game he played. This competition is very good to give players this chance. Jahmai was exceptional at centre-half in the minutes he played. James McAtee – what a game he had – and Nico and Jacob played really well. I’m really pleased with what I’ve seen – really pleased. 90 minutes, so composed against a team that is so, so dangerous.”

The biggest compliment you can give the performance of Nico O’Reilly last night was he looked every bit a Manchester City player against Tottenham. For such a young player to thrive in a hostile environment is a testament to O’Reilly’s performance. He wasn’t perfect by any stretch but he showed he belonged last night. O’Reilly will be needed over the next week as City deal with an injury crisis but based off his display last night he is ready to step up when require