FA Cup: Foden on target as Manchester City ease past Bristol City

• Manchester City visited Championship side Bristol City in the FA Cup on Tuesday, February 28 2023
• City needed a win to book their space in the FA Cup quarterfinals for the current campaign
• Goals from Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne secured a routine win for Pep Guardiola’s side

Phil Foden scored twice, and a miracle goal from Kevin De Bruyne helped Manchester City defeat Championship side Bristol City 3-0 on Tuesday at Ashton Gate to advance to the FA Cup quarterfinals.

The visitors took the lead early on thanks to Foden’s goal off a fine cross from Riyad Mahrez, but the Robins came close to tying the score in the second half when Sam Bell headed wide.

However, Bristol City’s chances of pulling off a shock were quickly dashed when Foden’s deflected shot found the bottom corner and De Bruyne pounced from a distance to end the match.

Manchester City forward Phil Foden celebrates after scoring the opener against Bristol City in the FA Cup on Tuesday, February 28 2023. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |

To increase their chances of winning the FA Cup for a seventh time, Pep Guardiola’s team made it 11 straight away victories.

Within the first two minutes, the visitors had Kalvin Phillips hit the woodwork, but they didn’t have to wait long to get on the board.

Mahrez did a great job down the right side, and his precise cross found Foden, who finished it perfectly at the back post.

Alex Scott tested Stefan Ortega during Nigel Pearson’s team’s spirited comeback, but Mahrez had a volley cleared off the line at the other end as Man City took a slim advantage into halftime.

After the interval, the hosts continued to pose a threat as the home crowd cheered them on in anticipation of an unlikely victory. Bell missed a fantastic chance to tie the score when his close-range header flew wide.

Zak Vyner unintentionally assisted Foden’s low strike into his own goal soon after, and De Bruyne added a late third with a brilliant long-range shot to ensure Man City’s safe passage into the round of eight. Bell was made to pay for that error.

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring the third against Bristol City in the FA Cup on Tuesday, February 28 2023. | PHOTO: Reuters |

Pep Guardiola continues fine form against lower league opponents

Guardiola maintained his stellar performance against teams from lower divisions, having won 35 of his 36 domestic cup games against teams from the second tier while playing for Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.

Guardiola’s team earned the victory despite a valiant effort from the hosts, controlling over 70.2% of the possession and scoring 1.94 xG (expected goals) to 0.56 for Bristol City, who could only muster one attempt on goal.