Fit-again Phil Foden scored twice as Manchester City left it late to secure an FA Cup victory at Bristol City.
Embed from Getty ImagesKevin De Bruyne’s late wonder strike made sure of victory after their hosts kept Pep Guardiola’s men honest until the 74th minute when Foden’s second strike went in.
Following another superb performance, Foden admitted that he had been nursing a foot injury recently but said he felt much better and hoped that City’s good form would continue.
He said: “I had discomfort in my feet and was frustrated at not playing much.
“I feel 100% fit now and hopefully I can come back into the team and help.
“We want to go far in the FA Cup and win it.
“The last two games have been brilliant, hopefully we can keep up this form.”
And his boss Pep Guardiola summed up his feelings about the fine performance by his players after a tough run of games.
He said: “It was a good result – Bristol showed us how good they can be – I was impressed with some of their players.
“Phil Foden is dynamic, has rhythm and work ethic to go with his quality.
“He was struggling a bit with his ankle but now he’s back.
“Phil always had a high level since he arrived with us, it’s important to be calm and grounded and the football will pay off.”
And Guardiola also had words of praise for Kalvin Phillips what was making a rare start after an injury blighted season.
He added: “When you don’t play regularly it’s not easy but he made a good 90 minutes – it was important he came back.
“The last few days have been tough but the guys have responded.”
There were five changes from the side that thrashed Bournemouth at the weekend: Ederson, Rodri, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, and Ilkay Gundogan stepped down to the bench to be replaced by Stefan Ortega, Kalvin Phillips, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, and Bernardo Silva.
Phillips rattled the crossbar with a curling effort from 25 yards out within a minute of the start of the game.
And City were soon into the lead after De Bruyne released Mahrez down the right flank and his teasing ball into the box was converted by Phil Foden after just seven minutes for his 9th FA Cup goal in 18 appearances.
But it wasn’t plain sailing for the visitors as their hosts pushed them for almost 75 minutes.
Mark Sykes was denied a penalty claim soon afterwards when he went down under pressure from Rico Lewis.
Alex Scott showed plenty of talent during the match, running at the City defence with the ball under his close control, but shot straight at Stefan Ortega.
It was all City after that but they were wasteful in the build-up and in front of goal – none more so than Kevin De Bruyne but Ruben Dias was also thwarted by a brave block just before half time.
A one goal lead is a precarious one for City recently and while there was only one goal in it then Bristol City had a chance.
Ederson replaced Ortega at half time after the backup keeper sustained an injury during the first half while George Tanner – who had a tough time up against Foden – was replaced by Andreas Wiemann.
Foden rolled a teasing ball across the six yard box but Julian Alvarez couldn’t quite reach it as City continued the pressure on the Bristol goal.
Sykes intercepted a De Bruyne ball also meant for the Argentine striker as City continued to pressure their hosts.
De Bruyne and Mahrez saw shots hit a Bristol City wall while Weimann saw his shot came off Ruben Dias.
As the game went into the final quarter the home side found another gear and started to pressure the City left back zone.
Weimann won the ball off Dias in that left back zone and put a cross in which was headed wide by Sam Bell with barely 20 minutes to go.
Jack Grealish was introduced off the bench for Mahrez as City switched up their attacking options.
But City finally got their second goal with 16 minutes to go when Foden’s shot was deflected off Zak Vyner and past Max O’Leary after Nathan Ake’s cutback found Alvarez who quickly slid in the lively England man who had switched to the right flank.
Although Foden said he would like to claim it, it’s likely that this goal will be taken off him.
Jay Dasilva replaced Cameron Pring for the final 12 minutes as the home side tried another full back to stop Foden.
Grealish forced O’Leary into a save from close range but it was De Bruyne who finally got his reward 9 minutes from the end when Grealish slipped the ball to him and the Belgian did the rest from over 25 yards out with a curling, dipping, smashed ball inside the back post that beat O’Leary all ends up.
For the last 7 minutes Cole Palmer and Sergio Gomez came on for Ake and Foden while Maximo Perrone was given a second outing off the bench after tempers flared with Bernardo Silva and Joe Williams had an altercation on the pitch after the Bristol City player shoved the Portuguese.
Perrone replaced De Bruyne as City saw out the win.