Such a thrill to see my old club perform so brilliantly

The City kit boss and former Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport

MY former team Latics thoroughly deserve their FA Cup fifth-round replay trip to Goodison Park next week after holding Everton to a 2-2 draw.

Playing against a full-strength Toffees line-up worth millions, Latics were excellent and bombarded Tim Howard’s goal in the final 10 minutes.

Not many teams in the Premier League cope with Everton, so Athletic can be very proud of the fact they matched them at Boundary Park.

It was great to see the television footage of Paul Dickov cheering Matt Smith’s equaliser. Dicky signed Smith, so it is right he gets some praise.

Smith put himself about brilliantly after coming off the substitutes’ bench and I am sure his physical presence will be utilised in the replay.

Everyone knows how tough it is going to be at Everton, but whatever happens, Latics won’t come away embarrassed. Anything can happen in the FA Cup: they might come home with a win to cheer!

As for Manchester City, it was nice to get back to winning as we saw off Leeds 4-0 to reach the quarter-finals.

We played some very good passing football, which suited strikers Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero.

They both got on the scoresheet and looked sharp all afternoon.

Despite lacking a bit of height, they are unbelievably strong and quick off the mark - and a nightmare for opposition defenders.

Next up we entertain Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, which should be a belting Premier League contest.

It is quite clear the European champions have had a difficult season, with plenty of upheaval and a change of manager. But Rafael Benitez’s squad is jam-packed with quality and they are breathing down our necks in third place.