This is a competition that is threatening to open up for Manchester City. There are not many big hitters left. Pep Guardiola has only collected one FA Cup winners’ medal and they are placing importance in rectifying that.
Semi-finals are usually their undoing, losing at that stage in each of the last three seasons.
By that time of a campaign, the Champions League’s knockouts are in full swing and they are still fighting on three fronts.
Believe it or not, City’s squad can then feel a little stretched. Guardiola likes to keep the size small, with 17 senior outfield players at his disposal this term.
He will be mindful of needing the likes of Phil Foden peaking at just the right moment, and last night brought more evidence that he is growing into form after a sustained period out of the side.
‘It’s been one of the lowest parts of my career,’ Foden said. ‘I’ve had discomfort in my feet and not been playing as much.
‘I love to play football and when I don’t, I’m a bit frustrated. We haven’t won the FA Cup in a while and it’s something we’ve been speaking about a lot.’
Another two goals, adding to Saturday’s at Bournemouth, indicates more positive steps. As did a stress-free evening for Kalvin Phillips on only his second start since signing for £42million from Leeds United last summer. ‘Phil’s impact has always been flabbergasting, awesome,’ Guardiola said.
Bristol City were tigerish, this absorbing tie alive until Foden’s second 16 minutes from the end, with then enough time for a sumptuous Kevin De Bruyne effort to add gloss.
De Bruyne allowed Jack Grealish’s pass to run across his body before bending past Max O’Leary from 25 yards.
The Robins have always manufactured the arrival of top-flight opposition into rich occasions on nights like these, the free scarves dangled over every seat later madly twirled in the air to a din.
The crowd played a part, this often uncomfortable for the champions of the land as Rico Lewis tangled with Mark Sykes in the box – no VAR in operation – or when the energetic Alex Scott rode challenges as he drove towards Stefan Ortega’s goal.
‘Scott is so talented,’ Guardiola said, name-checking central midfielder Matty James.
Nigel Pearson’s side were open in a way Guardiola is unaccustomed in the Premier League, where opposition sit in and attempt to hang on to zero.
‘The thing that pleases me most is we were true to ourselves,’ Pearson said. ‘We didn’t change the way we play to just make it more difficult for them. The game was a bit tighter than the scoreline.’
City are usually excellent when ahead early and Foden had his first after seven minutes.
From a raking pass to Riyad Mahrez, it took five touches for Foden to slam home first time at the back post.
Mahrez and De Bruyne exchanged passes telepathically to engineer the perfect chance for Foden to score in consecutive matches for the first time since October. Phillips had earlier struck the bar.
Ortega was forced off at the break after appearing to suffer a hand injury earlier in the evening, with Ederson called off his lounger.
Tomas Kalas had diverted a Mahrez volley off the line, Sam Bell later unfortunate not to convert a cross, before Foden’s shot was deflected in off Zak Vyner. Then De Bruyne fancied a whack.
SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk
