Lukas Nmecha was delighted to have secured a hat-trick against Tottenham in the Premier League 2, especially as he thought he wasn’t on form in the first-half.

The City starlet netted three against Spurs at the Academy Stadium, including a penalty, which sealed the 4-2 victory for Simon Davies’ side.

Nmecha was pleased with his team’s performance but feels that he wasn’t at his best in the first 45 minutes of the clash which may have been down to a slight hamstring problem.

“I thought we played well as a team,” Nmecha explained after the win. “But for me, I thought I played very badly in the first half.

“I was feeling my right hamstring as quite tight in the first half but the physio sorted me out in half time, and I came back to score the goals!

“I had a word with the manager at half-time and he told me to work hard, so I did that and definitely had a better second half.

“I wasn’t really thinking as I came out in the second half to be honest. I was just ready to run because when you haven’t been at your best sometimes you just need to get out there and run.

“I did that and got some good assists and a penalty.”

After City’s last Premier League 2 clash against Manchester United – which ended 1-1 – the forward was keen to improve.

“We started a bit better but I still think we have to hit the ground running earlier. We played quite well today I think, and we got the goals.”

Next up, City face League 2 side Chesterfield away at the Proact Stadium in the Checkatrade trophy on Wednesday 29 November, kick-off at 7pm.