Bristol City 2 Manchester City 3 (Man City win 5-3 on aggregate)
Manchester City are still on course for the quadruple after they overcame a spirited Bristol City to reach the final of the Carabao Cup.
Leading 2-1 from the first leg at the Etihad, the Premier League leaders secured their place in next month’s final - their first final of any description under Pep Guardiola - courtesy of a 3-2 win at Ashton Gate.
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With City flying high in the Premier League and still involved in the FA Cup and Champions League, they could finish the season with an unprecedented four trophies.
“All teams are judged by the titles they win,” said Guardiola, who knows that his team’s superb form in the first half of the season will count for nothing if they don’t go into the summer with a well-stocked trophy cabinet.
Having failed to win a trophy in his first season in charge of City, Guardiola believes the squad he has developed in 2017-18 has it within them to hit the same heights as his predecessors.
“We are a club that tries to reach new levels,” he said. “With [Roberto] Mancini, with [Manuel] Pellegrini they achieved that, and we try to keep going with that same level. The important thing for me is to be there, keep going every game and Sunday we have a final against Cardiff. We want to keep going in FA Cup and try to keep going in the Premier League.”
City will play the winner of tonight’s semi-final between Chelsea and Arsenal (goalless from the first leg) but, given their form so far this season, Guardiola’s men will be favourites at Wembley on 25 February.
Against Championship side Bristol City, the Premier League team dominated from the first minute, although it wasn’t until just before the break that Leroy Sane scored the first goal of the evening with a deflected shot from Bernardo Silva’s cross.
The tie was effectively put to bed four minutes into the second half when Sergio Aguero finished off a lightning counter-attack.
To their credit, Bristol City refused to concede defeat and Marlon Pack gave the home fans hope on 64 minutes with a smart header. Aden Flint then levelled on the night in stoppage time but the final word went to the visitors with Kevin de Bruyne making it 3-2 with a last-gasp goal.
“I’m very proud, not just of the team, but of the club,” said Bristol City manager Lee Johnson. “It was a fantastic run. The fact is, it has taken them two injury-time goals in both legs to beat us. We came close to a draw today. They are a top, top side, probably the best side I’ve seen live.”
