Manchester City book trip to Wembley with Bristol City victory
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Updated 23/01/2018 at 22:24 GMT
Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, Ashton Gate - Bristol City 2 (Pack 64', Flint 90+4') Manchester City 3 (Sane 43', Aguero 49', De Bruyne 90+5') Manchester City win 5-3 on aggregate
Manchester City's Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (C) battles against tight marking during the English League Cup semi-final, second leg football match between Bristol City and Manchester City at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, south-west England on Jan
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Manchester City booked a spot in the Carabao Cup final after earning a 3-2 victory in the semi-final second leg at Bristol City, sealing progression with a 5-3 aggregate success.
Leroy Sane broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute after City had previously struggled to find their rhythm, before Sergio Aguero steered the ball home four minutes into the second half to put the Premier League leaders in command.
Marlon Pack’s 64th-minute header gave the home side hope of yet another Premier League scalp, having disposed of City’s rivals Manchester United in the last round, before Aden Flint’s stoppage-time goal almost lifted the roof off Ashton Gate.
However, straight down the other end, Kevin De Bruyne slammed home David Silva’s cross after a swift Man City counter to seal victory, and ensure that Pep Guardiola, after a first trophyless season last campaign, has one hand on the first silverware of 2017/18.
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Manchester City's players celebrate their opening goal during the English League Cup semi-final, second leg football match between Bristol City and Manchester City at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, south-west England on January 23, 2018.
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The Catalan named a very strong starting XI but saw his side labour in the opening exchanges, with Man City mustering just one shot on target in the first 40 minutes of the match. However, soon enough City were cruising. One defensive mistake from Icelander Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson gifted possession to Guardiola's men, with Bernardo Silva laying the ball off for Sane to open the scoring and, after another brilliant pass from De Bruyne, Aguero expertly made it two.
Pack and Flint’s goals almost set Bristol City up for a fifth Premier League scalp of this season, but with red shirts committed down the other end of the pitch, David Silva squared for De Bruyne to put the tie to bed.
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Aden Flint of Bristol City fails to stop Leroy Sane of Manchester City (L) as he scores their first goal during the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg match between Bristol City and Manchester City at Ashton Gate on January 23, 2018 in Bristol, England
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TALKING POINT
Guardiola's intentions perfectly clear - he wants a trophy. The Man City boss talked of squad rotation in the run up to this encounter, but no such risks were taken, with only Raheem Sterling left on the bench from City’s game changers. He may do his best to play down the effects of a first trophyless season last year, but his team selection, against a Championship side, with a lead already in the bank, showed just how keen the Catalan is to get his hands on English silverware, sooner rather than later.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Kevin De Bruyne. Just the cool 14 assists for the Belgium international this season in all competitions. His hunger is something that is often overlooked, overshadowed by his relentless finesse, but De Bruyne didn’t stop looking for more goals all match. He always creates chances - that’s a given - but the desire he showed to score that last-gasp goal to put the tie to bed deserves the utmost acclaim.
PLAYER RATINGS
Bristol City: Steele 7, Wright 6, Flint 7, Magnusson 5, Brownhill 6, Pack 7, Smith 6, Walsh 5, Bryan 6, Paterson 6, Reid 6... Subs: Baker 6, Kent 6, Diedhiou 6.
Manchester City: Bravo 6, Walker 8, Stones 6, Otamendi 6, Zinchenko 6, Fernandinho 8, D. Silva 7, B. Silva 7, De Bruyne 9, Sane 7, Aguero 8... Subs: Danilo N/A, Gundogan 6.
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Manchester City's Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English League Cup semi-final, second leg football match between Bristol City and Manchester City at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, south-west Engla
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KEY MOMENTS
14’ - WOODWORK! He certainly doesn't mean it, but Sergio Aguero hits the crossbar after clipping a cross to the back post. The ball bounces down, but the hosts clear. Great move from City.
29’ - SAVE! Sane and David Silva link up down the left, Silva gets the shot away, but Steele gets down sharply to tip the ball away from goal, with the rebound just evading Aguero at the back post.
43’ - GOOOOOAL! Bristol City 0-1 Manchester City (agg 1-3). Poor defending from the hosts allows Sane to score to put his side one step closer to Wembley. Magnusson has to clear there, but instead, he tries to shepherd the ball out of play. Bernardo Silva battles back to win possession, lays the ball off for Sane as he falls, with the Germany international stroking the ball home to break the deadlock.
49’ - GOOOOAL! Bristol City 0-2 Manchester City (agg 1-4). Aguero brilliantly steers the ball home to surely put this tie to bed. It was on the cards right from kick off in this second half. Swift City counter is devastating as De Bruyne feeds Aguero in space. The Argentina international has plenty to do, but brilliantly picks out the bottom corner to put Guardiola on the brink of a first final appearance on these shores.
52’ - SAVE! City are relentless when they have momentum. De Bruyne this time carries the attack right to the heart of the home defence, drives for goal, but Steele is equal to it, low to his left.
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Bristol City's Icelandic defender Hordur Magnusson (R) vies with Manchester City's Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva during the English League Cup semi-final, second leg football match between Bristol City and Manchester City at Ashton Gate Stadium in
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64’ - GOOOOOAL! Bristol City 1-2 Manchester City (agg 2-4). Pack guides the header home to lift the roof off Ashton Gate. Game on! Not the greatest defending from City, Stones fails to clear, Paterson clips the cross to the back post, Pack arrives late, and powers the header past Bravo. Might just be a consolation, or the start of something very special!
90+2’ - WIDE! Steele can only palm a cross into the path of Sane, who lays it off for Gundogan, the Germany international takes his time, picks his spot, but it is deflected wide.
90+4’ - GOOOOAL! Bristol City 2-2 Manchester City (agg 3-4) What have we here??? Flint steers the ball home to raise the roof. One more goal and we have extra time! Away goals do not count until after extra time.
90+5’ - GOOOOOAL! Bristol City 2-3 Manchester City (agg 3-5). Well that didn't last long, as De Bruyne steers home after being picked out by Silva to officially put the tie to bed.
KEY STATS
Pep Guardiola celebrated his 363rd victory in top-flight management in what was his 500th game, with 63 of those victories coming in 92 games with Manchester City.
Guardiola has now won 11 of his 18 semi-final ties, reaching his first final as a manager in England.
Manchester City have reached their sixth League Cup final, winning four of the previous five — 1970, 1976, 2014 and 2016.
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