Match Report: Bristol City 0-3 Manchester City (FA Cup Fifth Round)

Manchester City comfortably dispatched Bristol City at the Ashton Gate Stadium to reach the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup on Tuesday evening.

The visitors took an early lead through Phil Foden’s finish but the Robins fought hard to ensure the deficit stayed at just the one goal heading into the break.

Proceedings remained open in the second half but the Premier League champions eventually doubled their advantage as Foden’s shot was diverted by Zak Vyner into his own net.

Kevin De Bruyne then made sure of the victory with a fantastic goal from distance, crushing Bristol City’s hopes and ending their impressive unbeaten streak.

The result means that City continue fighting on three fronts with Pep Guardiola’s side still in Europe and very much in the Premier League title race with Arsenal.

City started out on top with early domination leading to Kalvin Phillips striking the cross-bar with his attempt in the first minute.

This early pressure paid off, as the Blues took the lead through Phil Foden with the English winger converting from Riyad Mahrez’s cross.

Bristol City to their credit came forward multiple times in the minutes following in search of a shock equaliser.

It soon turned into an open, end to end game, with Ruben Dias going close from a corner but he saw his header saved by Max O’Leary.

The game remained lively and Kevin De Bruyne should have really put City 2-0 up with his shot before half-time.

Ederson replaced Stefan Ortega in goal for City after the break with the German suffering an injury to his hand in the first half.

The second half was devoid of any clear cut chances for the opening 15 minutes but both sides battled on , with the game remaining a tight contest.

Julian Alvarez decided to shoot from distance but saw his effort comfortably saved by the Bristol City goalkeeper.

Sam Bell then went close for the home side with his header just going wide of Ederson’s post.

City’s Catalan coach then decided to take off Mahrez and replace him with Jack Grealish in attack.

The move in the front line proved perfect, as the Premier League champions saw Foden’s eventual shot deflected in off Zak Vyner, leaving his teammate O’Leary with no chance, to double City’s lead.

The Cityzens made sure of the result as De Bruyne fired in a cracking shot from range after being assisted by substitute Grealish, resulting in the Belgian’s fifth goal of the season.

Goalscorer Foden and Nathan Ake then departed the field with Cole Palmer and Sergio Gomez coming on to replace the departing duo.

Maximo Perrone then entered into the game for Bernardo Silva to make his FA Cup debut, just days after making his club and Premier League debut for City.

City now advance to the quarter-finals for a fifth straight season and will learn of their opponents in the draw on Wednesday evening.

Guardiola’s men are next in action against Newcastle United on Saturday, with their first game back at the Etihad in six matches after a run of five straight away trips.

The Premier League clash is set to take place at 12.30pm following the Magpies’ Carabao Cup final defeat last weekend.