Manchester City vs Bristol City a few quick thoughts
Dan Tracey
January 10, 2018
2,218 Views
- Heartbreak for Bristol City right at the end
- Although the circumstances are different, credit has to go to Lee Johnson’s side for giving it a proper go last night
- Many Premier League clubs have been too scared to face off against Manchester City this season
- Perhaps a cup tie it is slightly easier because there is not the threat of relegation hanging over you
- But it was certainly refreshing to see the Championship outfit make a proper go of it last night
- Not only that but with just one goal separating the two sides going into next week’s second leg then Bristol City’s hopes of another Manchester scalp are still alive
- And their hopes of a huge upset where alive going into the break after they took a shock lead with a minute remaining
- Bobby Reid was hacked down by John Stones in the area and it was Reid himself who stepped up and scored from the spot
- This was not in the script
- Now Bristol City had 45 minutes to hold out for another historic win
- Unfortunately for them they could only hold out for 10
- The rightfully grew in confidence as the game developed but unfortunately that confidence was also to play a part in their undoing
- In the search for a second to then really turn the screw on Pep Guardiola’s men they were caught out by their own high press
- Claudio Bravo played a quick pass to Kevin De Bruyne and he was given the freedom of the Etihad to surge forward
- The Belgian international proceeded to reach the edge of the area before playing a neat one-two with Raheem Sterling
- From there De Bruyne coolly slotted home to restore parity on the night
- After drawing level it was City who then went up through the gears in search of a winner
- But their opposition where resolute with Bristol City goalkeeper Frank Fielding in for a busy 30 minutes or so as the Premier League leaders searched for a winner
- It looked as if it was going to be honours even with the clock ticking down but there was still time for one agonising twist in the tale
- Sergio Aguero had come on as a second half substitute for Yaya Toure and it would be he who would grab the headlines
- Bernardo Silva’s cross was met by the Argentine who nodded home to bag a late, late winner and in turn break the hearts of the traveling Bristolian fans.
- However with an away goal in their pocket this tie is still very much alive and there is still all to play for in the return leg at Ashton Gate
- Can lightning strike twice this season as far as dumping Manchester based clubs out of the competition
- Only time will tell
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