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As it happenedended

Bristol City vs Manchester City as it happened – EFL Cup semi-final second leg

Match report: City survive late scare to reach EFL Cup final

Liam Corless
Tuesday 23 January 2018 17:09 EST
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Sergio Aguero gets into some rough and tumble
Sergio Aguero gets into some rough and tumble (AFP/Getty Images)

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The first leg of this EFL Cup semi-final saw Bristol City give Manchester City one of the biggest frights of their relatively serene season.

Lee Johnson's team still lost 2-1, we shouldn't forget, but they showed enough to suggest there will be no easy ride for Manchester City into the final of the competition.

Pep Guardiola will continue with a slightly rotated team while Johnson will not be holding anything back at Ashton Gate. If the home side can resist conceding an early goal, it could just develop into a memorable night.

Follow all the action in our live blog below


90' - There will be a minimum of five added minutes at the end of the match.

Liam Corless23 January 2018 21:34

90+2' - Joe Bryan makes a superb last-ditch challenge to turn Ilkay Gundogan's 12-yard effort behind for a corner.

Bristol City's players are out on their feet now here.

Liam Corless23 January 2018 21:36

GOAL! Bristol City 2-2 Manchester City (Agg: 3-4)

90+4' - Aden Flint gives the hosts late, late hope as he turns Bobby Reid's header home from just a couple of yards out!

Liam Corless23 January 2018 21:38

GOAL! Bristol City 2-3 Manchester City (Agg: 3-5) (De Bruyne)

90+6' - We've got another injury-time goal... but this time it's scored by the visitors as Leroy Sane's low cross is turned home by Kevin De Bruyne!

Liam Corless23 January 2018 21:40

Full-time - Bristol City 2-3 Manchester City (Agg: 3-5)

The final whistle goes and Manchester City are into the Carabao Cup final despite a late scare at Ashton Gate!

Pep Guardiola is one win away from his first trophy as Manchester City manager 

Liam Corless23 January 2018 21:41

Post-match reaction from Manchester City's players

Kevin De Bruyne: "We're very pleased, we played a very good game. I think today we were very good, we didn't give them many opportunities. We should have won by a difference of three or four.

"We managed to keep the crowd quiet and we controlled the game very well. We deserve to go to Wembley."

Bernardo Silva: "We started the game very well. Congratulations to all of us, we're very happy to be in the final. Now, we look forward to the game at Wembley.

"It's so good to play a final, regardless of the competition, and now we want to go there and win."

​Quotes from Sky Sports

Liam Corless23 January 2018 21:52

Post-match reaction from Pep Guardiola

On reaching the final: "We are so happy to be there. We played an amazing game until we went 2-0 up. After that we lost control. In this kind of game, they never end until they end and it will be a good lesson for next Sunday in Cardiff [in the FA Cup] and also in the Champions League.

"We knew that if we scored two goals it would be easier because they would need to score three or four. But at the end, with one or two minutes left, anything can happen.

On the importance of winning his first trophy as City manager: "It's not for me. It's for Manchester City. It's a club trying to reach another level and with Mancini and Pellegrini they achieved that. We try to keep going in that level. The important thing for me is to be there and to keep going every game."

Quotes from Sky Sports

Manchester City are through to the Carabao Cup final 

Liam Corless23 January 2018 22:01

Post-match reaction from Lee Johnson

On exiting the competition to the Premier League leaders: "We gave it our best shot. We can be very proud of the effort put in by the players over the two legs. We came close to a draw today. They are a top, top side and probably the best I've ever seen live. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say they're a better side than us.

"We never gave in and we continued to try to attack where we could. We scored two goals and not many teams score two goals against a side like that."

On the Robins' superb run in the Carabao Cup: "It's been great, it's been great for the fans. We've had some unbelievable moments. We've got a young group here and these players will only get better. We'll improve on all fronts and it's a good place to be."

Quotes from Sky Sports

Liam Corless23 January 2018 22:08

Those quotes from Bristol City boss Lee Johnson conclude our coverage of tonight's match. Be sure to return tomorrow as we bring you minute-by-minute updates from Arsenal vs Chelsea in the second leg of the other semi-final.

Goodnight!

Arsenal and Chelsea will fight for the right to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final 

Liam Corless23 January 2018 22:10

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