With City being unbeaten since then we should probably thank him for that. McPhail has not started a game since and Joe Ledley has taken over the captaincy made the central midfield role his own.
Atkinson last worked on January 10th when he did Everton 2 - 0 Hull City.
This season he's controlled a Champions League match involving Juventus and a League 2 fixture involving Chesterfield. The highs and the lows. As well of course as Premier League matches at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge and the Emirates amongst others.
Incredibly his first ever City games was the 2 - 1 defeat at Highbury when Cardiff played Arsenal in the FA Cup 3 years ago.
This Sunday he's assisted by G Turner and J Simpson. The 4th official is K Stroud.