Brought to you by

Key Events

87'
J. Williams
Yellow Card
87'
Bernardo Silva
Yellow Card
81'
K. De Bruyne
J. Grealish
0 - 3
74'
P. Foden
J. Álvarez
0 - 2
7'
P. Foden
R. Mahrez
0 - 1
5
1
5
2
More

Match Stats

Possession
29% 70%
2
5
Shots Off Target
Shots On Target 1 6
Total Passes 287 702
More
  • Heatmap
  • Touch Map

Commentary

We hope you've enjoyed our coverage of this entertaining FA Cup tie. It's goodbye for now, and we hope to see you next time!
Man City were made to work for their victory here, but Guardiola will be delighted by the contributions of his attacking stars – Foden was by far the most impressive performer and deserved to end the game with a brace, while De Bruyne lit up Ashton Gate with a trademark strike on his return to the team. The Premier League champions can now look forward to being represented in Wednesday's quarter-final draw!
It's full-time at Ashton Gate, and Man City are into the FA Cup quarter-finals for a fifth consecutive season! They didn't have it all their own way after Foden converted Mahrez's cross early on, with Scott impressing as Bristol City remained competitive. However, Foden marked an outstanding display with a deflected second to take the wind out of the hosts' sails, before De Bruyne killed it off with a magnificent long-range strike. Guardiola's team are one game away from Wembley!
90' + 2' FULL-TIME: BRISTOL CITY 0-3 MANCHESTER CITY
90' Just two minutes of stoppage time are signalled by the fourth official. The pace of the game has dropped again following Man City's third goal, with Guardiola's men happy to retain possession amid that raft of substitutions.
A. King
M. James
Bristol City
89' Former Leicester City midfielder King also enters the fray, with James making way.
O. Taylor-Clarke
J. Williams
Bristol City
88' Williams also exits the action, with Taylor-Clarke on for Bristol City.
M. Perrone
Bernardo Silva
Manchester City
88' Silva is swiftly withdrawn by Guardiola after being cautioned. New arrival Perrone comes on in midfield.
J. Williams
Yellow Card
Bristol City
87' Williams joins Silva in being shown a yellow card for his part in that bust-up.
Bernardo Silva
Yellow Card
Manchester City
87' Silva takes exception to a heavy challenge from Williams in midfield, pushing the Bristol City man to the ground. Players from both teams rush over as a confrontation breaks out, and the Man City midfielder is booked.
85' Man City appeal for a penalty as Vyner blocks Alvarez's effort at point-blank range. The visitors are claiming handball, but there was little he could have done about that, and Silva may have been offside in the build-up anyway.
Sergio Gómez
N. Aké
Manchester City
83' Gomez, meanwhile, replaces Ake on the left of Man City's back three.
C. Palmer
P. Foden
Manchester City
83' Man City are making a double change. Palmer is on for Foden, who has been brilliant and thoroughly deserves his two goals.
M. Francois
N. Wells
Bristol City
82' Francois replaces Wells in the Bristol City attack. The former Burnley man has been quiet throughout this match.
J. Grealish
Assist
Manchester City
81' Grealish claims the assist after finding De Bruyne in space, but the goalscorer deserves all the credit for an exceptional swerving strike.
K. De Bruyne
Goal
Manchester City
81' GOOOAAAL! WHAT A HIT FROM DE BRUYNE! 3-0! If it wasn't game over already, it certainly is now as De Bruyne produces a special strike. The Belgian drives at the heart of Bristol City's defence before letting fly from 25 yards, and his dipping effort beats O'Leary to find the bottom-right corner. Great goal!
80' That second Man City goal has taken the wind out of Bristol City's sails and quietened the crowd at Ashton Gate. The Premier League champions are playing with real verve now.
79' Grealish beats Sykes with ease before firing a cross straight at O'Leary. The Bristol City goalkeeper spills it, but much to his relief, it drops onto the roof of his net, and the hosts can clear the resulting corner.
J. Dasilva
C. Pring
Bristol City
77' Dasilva replaces Pring as Bristol City search for a response.
75' Foden has been exceptional throughout this tie, and he certainly deserves that goal. However, the deflection off Vyner was a decisive one, so that could be one for the dubious goals committee!
J. Álvarez
Assist
Manchester City
74' Alvarez gets the assist after teeing up Foden with a neat lay-off inside the penalty area.
P. Foden
Goal
Manchester City
74' GOAAALL! 2-0 MANCHESTER CITY! Foden doubles up as Man City surely kill the tie! De Bruyne instigated the move with a brilliant pass in behind for Ake, who combined with Alvarez to work it to Foden on the right. His side-footed attempt takes a big deflection off Vyner before finding the bottom-left corner, and it's a long way back for the hosts now!
72' That Man City substitution means a switch of flank for Foden, who has gone out to the right. Grealish takes his place on the left.
J. Grealish
R. Mahrez
Manchester City
71' Guardiola opts to make a change in attack. Grealish replaces Mahrez.
71' Best chance yet for Bristol City! Scott does well to put Dias under pressure, preventing the Man City man from shielding the ball behind for a goal-kick. It's eventually whipped in towards Bell, who diverts it wide at the near post! The cross was just behind him, but he will be disappointed by that finish.
69' Man City stand firm to clear the corner before Williams lofts a long ball back into the area. Ederson appears to carry it behind for a corner as he catches it, but the linesman shakes his head, and Man City can play on.
68' Bristol City are enjoying a good spell as Ake is forced to head a right-wing cross behind for a corner. That gets a huge ovation from the crowd – Man City have found themselves in a real cup tie!
67' Dias is perhaps fortunate not to concede a foul right on the edge of his area, as he appears to manhandle Bell. The home fans are not impressed.
P. Foden
Yellow Card
Manchester City
66' Foden becomes the first player booked for a late challenge on Sykes. The England international can have no complaints there, he got nowhere near the ball.
65' O'Leary holds Alvarez's shot as the Argentine links up with De Bruyne on the break. Foden and Silva were both involved to win the ball back for Man City earlier in that move.
63' Kalas battles with Mahrez on the Bristol City left as the visitors win a throw. Pearson's team have stepped things up a notch in the last five minutes, and it's a very watchable, competitive affair.
62' Bristol City enjoy their first break of the second half as Sykes tees Weimann up for a volley, which Akes does well to block. Man City then launch their own counter-attack, but Pring beats Mahrez to De Bruyne's pass, heading it back to his goalkeeper.
60' De Bruyne steps up… but it's a tame effort, and it's straight into the wall! Mahrez's follow-up is then cleared. Man City should have done better from that position.
59' Man City win a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area as Mahrez steals possession from Weimann before drawing a foul from Vyner. This is a great opportunity for the visitors…
57' It's wave after wave of Man City attacks now, with the hosts camped inside their own penalty area. For now, Bristol City are hanging on, but they need to relieve the pressure.
56' Now De Bruyne swivels past a challenge before trying to poke a pass into the path of Alvarez, but it just runs too long. Man City are upping the tempo as they search for a second goal.
54' Good defending from Bristol City! Foden creates more danger as he breaks infield to find De Bruyne, who waits for Mahrez to pass him on the overlap. The Algerian cuts back for Alvarez, but two red shirts crowd him out!
52' Close! Foden is heavily involved again as the hosts narrowly escape. The Man City man breaks clear following a hoisted ball from Ake, and his low cross just evades Alvarez in the six-yard box!
50' Foden's opener was his 11th goal in all competitions this season – a tally only bettered by Haaland (33) and Mahrez (12) among his Man City team-mates. He has been impressive on the left flank, and Bristol City making a change to attempt to shackle him makes sense.
49' Almost for Bristol City! Ederson is sold short by a backpass and has to rush out to clear ahead of Bell with his first touch of the game. The two men collide and both look sore – Man City will be praying their substitute goalkeeper avoided any lasting damage.
47' Sykes has dropped into a right-back role for the hosts, with Weimann playing further forward. Tanner struggled against Foden in the first half, so Pearson's change looks to have been made with the England man in mind.
46' Bristol City kick us off for the second half! Can they find a leveller to force extra time at Ashton Gate?
A. Weimann
G. Tanner
Bristol City
46' Bristol City, meanwhile, have introduced Weimann for Tanner, in an attacking move which should signal a change of shape.
Ederson
S. Ortega
Manchester City
46' There's been a change between the sticks for Man City at the break. Ortega looked to be struggling with a knock earlier, and he has been replaced by Ederson.
Foden and Silva have been at the centre of everything for City, who have found joy in the inside-left channel again and again. However, Guardiola's men have looked open at the back at times, with Scott and Bell linking up well for Bristol City. The Premier League champions have been good value for their lead, but the hosts remain in this tie, and the next goal will be crucial.
The whistle goes for half-time, and while both sides may be content with their efforts, Man City lead! Foden was in the right place at the right time to convert Mahrez's cut-back as Guardiola's men hit the front seven minutes in – by which time Phillips had already rattled the bar. Bristol City responded well and have threatened themselves – particularly through Scott – but the visitors have continued to carve out chances, and De Bruyne will be disappointed not to be on the scoresheet.
45' + 2' HALF-TIME: BRISTOL CITY 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY
45' + 1' Foden, Silva and De Bruyne combine in the inside-left channel before the ball is worked to Phillips. He slices his long-range effort and it flies well wide, much to the crowd's relief.
45' We're into two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this entertaining first period.
44' Great block! Pring denies Dias a certain goal! Bristol City clear the corner, but De Bruyne's second delivery finds Dias in space 10 yards out. His volley looks goal-bound, but Pring throws himself in front of it!
43' Foden's early ball is hacked behind by Kalas. Man City get the corner, but the home fans are frustrated – Foden may have been offside at the start of that move.
42' De Bruyne almost makes it 2-0! What a goal this would have been! Silva flicks the ball into Foden's path, and he plays it on to De Bruyne. The Belgian dummies and shifts the ball to his left foot, but his strike is too high and doesn't trouble O'Leary. Great football, but the finish was disappointing.
40' Foden beats Tanner with a wonderful touch before drilling a cross into the six-yard box, where Vyner is on hand to clear. The pace of this game has definitely dropped in the last 10 minutes, but Man City are still carrying a threat every time they come forward.
38' Foden is sent sprawling in the centre-circle. The Man City man is holding his face after appearing to run into Scott, but he's swiftly back to his feet as Guardiola's men get the free-kick.
36' Scott sets off on another jinking run, beating Phillips before Silva steps in to concede a corner. Man City deal with that set-piece well, before Williams' pass drifts harmlessly out of play.
34' Kalas steals possession from De Bruyne in midfield before finding Bell on the left. He drives at the heart of Man City's defence, but his 25-yard effort is woefully misguided and flies over the crossbar!
31' De Bruyne cuts inside from the left flank and fires a wild effort harmlessly over the crossbar. Bristol City will take that all day!
29' Man City are enjoying a long spell of possession now, but the Robins are proving a tough nut to crack as they sit back in their defensive shape.
27' Man City have succeeded in quelling the threat from Bristol City's left-hand side in the last 10 minutes. The likes of De Bruyne and Silva are beginning to see more space, which will concern Pearson.
25' Lewis impressively breaks out of defence and lofts a pass towards Foden in space, only for the England international to slip, prompting huge cheers as the ball drifts out for a Bristol City throw-in.
23' Man City should make it two! The visitors squander two huge chances in quick succession after winning the ball high up the pitch. De Bruyne – perhaps wrongly – opts to shoot instead of squaring to Mahrez, who was free. It's blocked but City keep the ball alive and Mahrez eventually gets a chance at the back post, but his volley is headed away near the goal line by Tanner!
21' Manchester City have won their last 10 away games in the FA Cup, a run that stretches back to February 2019. It is the longest away winning run by any team in the history of the competition.
19' Scott forces a save from Ortega! Scott was reportedly attracting Premier League interest recently, and you can see why. He drives into the area with a strong run and picks out the gloves of Ortega with a curling effort. More danger for Man City in their right-back position.
18' It has been a lively start here, and Bristol City have certainly shown the ability to trouble Man City – particularly on the left-hand side. However, one vintage Man City move has the Premier League champions in front, and Bristol City need to ensure they don't concede a second.
16' Half a chance for Alvarez! Foden finds space to fire a low cross towards Alvarez, but the World Cup winner completely mistimes his shot, failing to get any decent contact and allowing the hosts to clear. A man of his quality should have done better.
15' Ortega looks to be in some discomfort and is receiving treatment on a knock to his hand. First-choice goalkeeper Ederson is on the bench for this game, but it looks like Ortega will be able to carry on.
13' Bristol City launch another break down the left as Bell and Wells combine. The latter goes down inside the area under a challenge from Phillips, but the offside flag is up… Bell mistimed his run!
12' On second viewing, Lewis' challenge on Sykes may have been ill-advised, but there was not enough contact to send the Bristol City man down.
11' Penalty appeal! Not given! The hosts want a spot-kick as Sykes charges in behind and goes down under pressure from Lewis. The Man City youngster did put his hands on the Bristol City man, but the referee shakes his head, no penalty!
9' Bristol look to respond instantly through Scott, who dances through two challenges on the edge of the area. The attacking midfielder is eventually crowded out, but that was a positive run.
R. Mahrez
Assist
Manchester City
7' Mahrez claims the assist after finding Foden with an inch-perfect ball across the six-yard box. Left-back Pring completely switched off, giving City far too much space.
P. Foden
Goal
Manchester City
7' GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY HAVE THE LEAD! Foden strikes first in this cup tie following a vintage Man City move! De Bruyne slides a weighted ball in behind for Mahrez on the right, and the Algerian's right-footed cut-back tees up Foden for a simple finish into a gaping net at the far post! 1-0 to the Premier League champions, but Bristol City will be disappointed with their defending.
6' Foden wins a throw on the left-hand side, much to the annoyance of Pearson and Bristol City's supporters. Man City have, as expected, started in their 3-2-4-1 shape, with Lewis and Phillips playing in front of the back three.
5' It's been a high-octane start here, with Bristol City keen to break quickly whenever they win possession, roared on by a vocal crowd. However, City showed a glimpse of their quality with that Phillips effort, and the midfielder was unfortunate not to open the scoring.
3' Bristol City go close! There's a tremendous noise as a slip from Akanji lets Bell in on the left flank. The forward cuts inside and runs as Dias, but his curling effort deflects wide of Ortega's goal!
2' OFF THE CROSSBAR! Phillips almost scores a stunning opener within the first two minutes! Akanji steps in ahead of Bell to cut out a potential break for the hosts, finding Mahrez. The winger cuts inside and picks out Phillips, and the England international rattles the crossbar with a brilliant effort from 25 yards out!
1' We're under way for this FA Cup tie as the visitors – dressed in their bright green away kit – get the ball rolling!
The players are out at Ashton Gate amid a terrific atmosphere. Are we about to see a shock, or are Man City on their way to the quarter-finals?
Guardiola has overseen 35 domestic cup ties against non-top-flight teams during his time managing Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, progressing on 34 occasions and only failing at this stage of the FA Cup in 2017-18, when City were beaten by Wigan Athletic.
The hosts make one change to the side which beat Hull on Saturday, bringing in Wells – who scored the winner as a substitute last time out – in place of the cup-tied Anis Mehmeti. Guardiola, meanwhile, makes five alterations to the XI which started Saturday's 4-1 thrashing of Bournemouth. Alvarez, Foden and Lewis join the back three of Ake, Dias and Akanji in keeping their places, while De Bruyne is among those brought in. A strong City bench features the likes of Haaland, Grealish and Gundogan.
MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Ederson, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Rodri, Sergio Gomez, Maximo Perrone, Cole Palmer.
MANCHESTER CITY (3-2-4-1): Stefan Ortega; Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake; Kalvin Phillips, Rico Lewis; Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden; Julian Alvarez.
BRISTOL CITY SUBS: Nikita Haikin, Kane Wilson, Jay Dasilva, Andy King, Andreas Weimann, Omar Taylor-Clarke, Marlee Francois, Olly Thomas, Elijah Morrison.
BRISTOL CITY (4-2-3-1): Max O'Leary; George Tanner, Tomas Kalas, Zak Vyner, Cameron Pring; Joe Williams, Matty James; Nahki Wells, Alex Scott, Mark Sykes; Sam Bell.
Bristol City, meanwhile, have gone 12 games unbeaten ahead of this tie, beating Hull City 1-0 here last time out. Nigel Pearson's side sit 13th in the Championship, nine points adrift of a play-off spot, giving extra importance to their attempt to cause an upset. The Robins last faced City in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup in 2017-18, suffering a 5-3 aggregate defeat.
Having seen rivals Manchester United lift the EFL Cup on Sunday, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are looking to boost their own domestic cup hopes here, with a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals at stake. While City remain in the hunt to lift the Premier League and Champions League trophies, they have only won the FA Cup once during Guardiola's trophy-laden stint with the club, beating Watford 6-0 in the 2019 final. They are strong favourites to reach the last eight at the expense of second-tier opponents.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of this FA Cup fifth-round tie between Bristol City and Manchester City from Ashton Gate!
Comments (0)