Following today’s clash between Bristol City and Manchester City, here are the instant reactions from both managers.
Bristol City hosted Manchester City at Ashton Gate for a 7.45pm kick off on Tuesday January 23 for the EFL Cup semi final second leg.
Manchester City came into the match with a two one advantage following the first leg at the Etihad Stadium and this affair saw Manchester City take a five three aggregate victory overall with a three one win on the evening.
That doesn’t tell the whole story though as despite finding themselves two nil down following goals from Leroy Sane (43) and Sergio Aguero (49, Bristol City responded strongly in the second half with Marlon Pack making it a one goal game before Aden Flint hit five minutes into stoppage time to tie the game up.
Kevin De Bruyne had an almost instant response for City as he hit their third to book their place in the final.
Teams:
Bristol City:
Steele, Wright, Flint, Magnusson (Baker 45), Bryan, Smith, Pack, Brownhill, Walsh (Diedhou 45), Paterson (Kent 73), Reid.
Substitutes:
Taylor, Engvall, Eliasson, Wollacott.
Man City:
Bravo, Walker (Danilo 85), Stones, Otamendi, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva, Bernardo Silva, Aguero (Gundogan 82), Sane.
Substitutes:
Kompany, Sterling, Mangala, Ederson, Y Toure.
Speaking to the BBC’s cameras a short time after match day referee Graham Scott blew the final whistle, Bristol City manager Lee Johnson explained.
‘We came close to a draw today. They are a top, top side, probably the best side I’ve seen live. They have so many players that are intricate and have class on the ball and sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say ‘they are a better side than us’.’
Johnson added.
‘But the spirit we showed, we never gave in and we continued to try and attack and scored two goals and not many teams can score two goals against a side like that. It’s a good lesson for the boys and I think we’ll take that into the Championship. It’s a positive lesson and we’re a good side in the Championship and now we’ll get to focus on the league and it will be a really good run in until the end of the season.’
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola in his comparative interview explained.
‘We are so happy to be there, to reach this final. We played an amazing game until 2-0 and then we lost control, these type of games never end until the end. This is a lesson for next weekend in Cardiff in the FA Cup and especially for the Champions League. At 2-0 we knew it would be easier because they needed three or four goals but with one minute left it was 2-2 and anything could happen. It’s not for me, it’s for Manchester City, a club who are trying to reach another level. We try to keep going, the important thing for me is to be there. We try to keep going in the FA Cup, in the Premier League.’
Adding.
‘I know that we will be judged by trophies we win but we are so happy. Nobody can take away what we have done, but Chelsea or Arsenal are strong teams.’
