Bristol City 0-3 Manchester City: Phil Foden nets double as Pep Guardiola’s side secure FA Cup quarter-final berth
Two goals from Phil Foden and one from Kevin De Bruyne took Manchester City past a game Bristol City and into the last eight of the FA Cup.
The game started at a terrific pace, the hosts pressing high and looking to run in behind. But the league champions quickly got their passing going, and it was no surprise when on seven minutes, Foden finished a fast and incisive move.
Hard though Bristol City tried, they proved unable to fashion a clear chance, and as soon as it looked like they might be able to, Foden added a second on 74 minutes, and on 81, De Bruyne’s lovely finish confirmed the extent of their superiority.
The Emirates FA Cup
‘One of the lowest parts of my career’ – Foden opens up on recent struggles
6 HOURS AGO
Talking point
They are, though, still a fine team, and their performance in the first Manchester derby of the season might be the best performance any side has produced this term.
Phil Foden scored a hat-trick that day and played brilliantly, but has struggled a little bit since. Tonight, though, he was the best player on the pitch and by far, a constant, inventive menace. City need him to maintain that level.
Player of the match – Phil Foden (Man City)
Scored twice and showed beautiful technique, incredible awareness and evil pace.
Player ratings
Bristol City: O’Leary 6, Pring 6, Kalas 7, Vyner 6, Tanner 4, James 6, Williams 6, Sykes 6, Scott 6, Wells 5, Bell 6. Subs: Weimann 6, Dasilva 6, Francois 6.
Manchester City: Ortega 6, Lewis 6, Akanji 6, Dias 6, Ake 7, Phillips 7, De Bruyne 7, Bernardo 7, Mahrez 6, Foden 8, Alvarez 6. Subs: Ederson 6, Grealish 6, Palmer 6, Gomez 6.
Match highlights
1’ – PHILLIPS WANTS A PASS FROM MAHREZ, 25 YARDS OUT He doesn’t get it as quickly as he wants it, and has to take a touch … before unfurling a brutal shot that clobbers the bar!
7’ – GOAL! Bristol City 0-1 Man City (Foden) And there it is! A big switch hits Mahrez, whose first touch is as velveteen as you expect it to be. He finds De Bruyne, nips in behind, collects the return, and punches a perfect ball across and along the ground, for Foden to confidently snap home at the far post.
41’ – FODEN NIPS INTO A POCKET Racing onto Ake’s pass, turning it around the corner for Alvarez and Cirty are away! He drives towards the box and slips in De Bruyne to his left, who ducks away from Tanner … and leathers over the bar!
71’ – THAT’S THE CHANCE! Brilliant from Scott, who forces Lewis to play a ball he’ prefer not to then slides in and finds Weimann, who immediately unfurls a first-time cross … and it’s brilliant! But it’s just behind the onrushing Bell, who cranes neck and contorts body to send the ball just wide of the near post.
74’ – GOAL! Bristol City 0-2 Man City (Foden) Yup, as soon as Bristol City intimate even the merest threat, City score again. De Bruyne curves a luscious pass down the channel for the marauding Ake, who squares for Alvarez. He moves on one more for Foden, who opens body and looks to pass into the far corner, but Vyner’s deflection means this might end up as an own goal.
81’ – GOAL! Bristol City 0-3 Man City (De Bruyne) Yeah, Kevin de Bruyne is good at football. Grealish comes off the left, slips a short but perceptive pass into the path of his onrushing skipper. And using Vyner as a screen, De Bruyne measures an understatedly vicious curling fioish low into the far corner from 20 yards. What a player!
KEY STAT
Manchester City have reached the last eight of the FA Cup for the fifth season in succession.
Premier League
Guardiola’s City thrash Cherries to keep pace with Arsenal
25/02/2023 AT 16:57
Premier League
Haaland not to blame for City failings says Guardiola
24/02/2023 AT 18:24
Read the full article Here
