Bristol City caused a huge upset in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night by knocking Manchester United out at the quarter-final stage at Ashton Gate.
The Championship outfit made it into the semi-finals with a 2-1 victory thanks to a 93rd-minute winner from Korey Smith.
Joe Bryan had put Lee Johnson's side ahead in the second half, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic responded with an equaliser - his first goal of the season - before Smith sent Bristol City through to the final four in dramatic fashion.
Discover how the game unfolded in Sports Mole's text commentary.
On paper, this looks like a fairly straightforward tie for United given that they managed to avoid Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in the draw. However, Lee Johnson's Robins are capable of causing an upset given their positive form.
The Championship club sit third in the table, just four points adrift of the automatic promotion places, which has shocked many considering City's predicament last season. Johnson and his men were close to getting relegated from the second tier, but after some positive results in the final stretch, they secured safety.
Nobody could blame the Robins for feeling confident ahead of tonight's encounter as they are on a four-game winning run and have scored two or more goals in that run. The team, though, have failed to keep a clean sheet having conceded five goals in that time.
As for United, the Red Devils have had a positive season so far, but the dominance of their noisy neighbours Manchester City has stolen focus. Jose Mourinho's team have lost just four games in all competitions so far and they are the closest challengers to Pep Guardiola's side for the Premier League title.
The club are, however, 11 points adrift and are unlikely to surge ahead of their competitors, but they remain in contention for the Champions League crown, FA Cup and the EFL Cup, which they won last season by beating Southampton in the final.
Right, before we delve any further, let's bring you the lineups for both sides!
BRISTOL CITY XI: Steele; Wright, Flint, Baker, Magnusson; Brownhill, Smith, Pack, Bryan; Paterson, Reid
MAN UNITED XI: Romero; Darmian, Lindelof, Rojo, Shaw; Blind, McTominay, Pogba; Rashford, Martial, Ibrahimovic
As expected, Mourinho has rung the changes, with a number of key players rested, including David de Gea and Romelu Lukaku. Marcus Rashford is the only player to keep his place in the team following Sunday's 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Paul Pogba returns to the side after serving a domestic ban, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic is given a rare start up front after recovering from a knee injury. Scott McTominay has been given another chance to impress Mourinho and Luke Shaw comes into the first XI. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been left out in the cold in recent games, and he once again fails to make the side and has to settle for a spot on the bench.
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As for the hosts, Johnson has made just the one change to his team for this evening's clash as goalkeeper Luke Steele returns to the lineup in place of Frank Fielding. Jamie Paterson and Bobby Reid will be responsible for the hosts goal threat this evening.
As mentioned, the club have won their last four league matches and have only suffered three losses since the season began, but they are often vulnerable to conceding. In fact, the team have kept just three clean sheets since the start of October.
It is worth noting, though, that the Championship outfit have managed to oust Premier League opponents on their way to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. Their first test against a top-flight club was Watford in the second round.
The team came from behind to cancel out Etienne Capoue's opener thanks to an equaliser from Freddie Hinds and later in the second half Bobby Reid put the Robins ahead. Niclas Eliasson extended Bristol City's lead in the third minute of added time and even though Adrian Mariappa pulled a goal back for the Hornets, it was too late to launch a comeback.
The next round was more straightforward for the Robins as goals from Famara Diedhiou and Matty Taylor secured a 2-0 victory over Stoke City. In order to grab a place in the final eight, Johnson's side had to get past Crystal Palace, and they did so emphatically in a 4-1 triumph.
DID YOU KNOW? Bristol City are the first lower-league team since Bradford City in the 2012-13 campaign to knock out three Premier League clubs in a single EFL Cup campaign. Sheffield Wednesday are the only club to have eliminated four - in the 1990-91 season.
United certainly have the players to get the desired result this evening, but the team have not been the most enjoyable to watch this season. Mourinho has struggled to inject exciting football at Old Trafford, but that has rarely been his style anyway.
In the last few games, the North-West outfit have been winning, but they have had to labour their way to victories against teams that, on paper, the club should be beating with ease. After being played off the park by Man City in a 2-1 loss earlier this month, the Red Devils had Premier League meetings against Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion lined up.
Given that both of those opponents are trying to avoid relegation, the contests should have been a stroll in the park for Mourinho's players, but it was far from the case. Romelu Lukaku's goal was the only thing that separated United from Bournemouth at Old Trafford
Eddie Howe's side put on a good showing on away soil, but the end product was not there to snatch an equaliser. In the following game, United were also pushed hard by West Brom in the second half when Gareth Barry found the back of the net. Luckily for United, they were already two goals to the good thanks to Lukaku and Jesse Lingard
The difficulty when it comes to certain cup games is that elite clubs like United do not place them high on their list of priorities. Given that the fixtures are now coming thick and fast, the Red Devils want to keep pressure on City in the league rather than put all their energy into the EFL Cup.
Even though the trophy is not the most prestigious that a club could have in their cabinet, it is the first piece of silverware of the season. It gives the winner a huge boost moving forward and it also increases morale within the team.
United know all too well what it is like to lift this trophy having won it five times, the most recent of which was last season. The final against Southampton at Wembley was an exciting one full of drama and controversy. Then-Saints manager Claude Puel would have felt hard done by after the final whistle.
Manolo Gabbiadini controversially had the opening goal ruled out for offside, and matters were made worse when Zlatan Ibrahimovic put United ahead at the other end. The Red Devils took control when Lingard doubled the team's lead, but Gabbiadini gave Southampton hope with a goal on the stroke of half time.
After the break, the Italian drew level for the underdogs, which gave the team a new lease of life. The Saints dominated the ball and created numerous goalscoring chances, but a strong performance from United goalkeeper David de Gea prevented them from taking the lead. In the end, United sneaked to victory when Ibrahimovic scored the winner with a close-range header three minutes from time.
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STATS! In the last 10 seasons, United have made it into the quarter-finals of the competitions and in four of those campaigns they reached the semi-finals. The club have struggled against lower-league sides in the past, though, having been ousted in three of their last six ties.
Bristol City are the highest-scoring team in the EFL Cup so far this season, with 14 goals to their name, but Mourinho certainly loves this competition. The Portuguese coach has won the trophy four times - more than any other manager.
HEAD TO HEAD: The Robins have never before face United in this competition, but in total they have played against the English giants 35 times. As expected, the Red Devils have a better win ratio having won 15 of their meetings, while City have won 10 and a further 10 have ended in draws.
PREDICTION: In games like this, form books can be thrown out the window. Bristol City will certainly have confidence heading into the game given their winning run. United have a disadvantage as the visiting side and it could be a tricky contest for them. However, they have enough quality in the side to progress into the semi-finals.
Right, we are moments away from kickoff now! Both sets of players have made their way onto the pitch. After the obligatory handshakes, the action will begin!
KICKOFF! Bristol City get us underway! Can the Robins cause an upset or will the holders make it through? Let's find out!
The hosts nick the ball off United as the visitors try to knock it around the back. Mourinho's side are alert, though, and manage to thwart danger in the final third.
United have the majority of possession in these early stages, but Bristol City are closing down their opponents. The hosts are showing plenty of energy off the ball at the moment.
The visitors win a free kick after Pack fouls Pogba in the middle of the park. The midfielder thinks that it's a soft call from the referee, but replays show that he was clawing over the Frenchman's shoulders.
Referee Mike Dean gives a free kick for the hosts in a dangerous area. Once again, it was a tussle between Pogba and Pack, with the former sliding in with a tackle after losing the ball.
SAVE! It was a fairly routine stop from Romero, but it was a sweetly-struck free kick from Brownhill, who lifts the ball over the wall and forces the United keeper to tip it over the bar.
The Robins win two quick corners, but the hosts fail to make the most of it. Bristol City have started the game well here. They're on the frontfoot and trying to cause United some problems.
The Robins are passing the ball with ease as they attempt to find a way through. At the moment, United ae struggling to provide much in attacking areas.
OFF THE BAR! Ibrahimovic comes close to putting United ahead! Martial delivers a brilliant cross towards the Swede at the far post. The forward connects and tries to guide the ball into the top corner from a tight angle, but it ends up bouncing off the crossbar.
Bristol City are dominating the midfield at the moment, with United unable to get a foothold, but the visitors have shown from Martial's invention that they have the quality to cause problems.
Ibrahimovic draws a ironic cheers from the home crowd as he attempts a one-two but ends up kicking the ball out for a Bristol City throw-in close to the touchline.
Martial cuts inside and drives to the edge of the box before unleashing a shot, but's blocked. McTominay tries to make the most of the follow-up, but ends up hitting the ball high and wide.
Bristol City win a free kick thanks to a surging run down the left-hand side from Bryan, who forces Darmian to knock the ball behind the line.
Great chance for Bristol City as Bryan picks up the second ball from the corner and gets fouled by Shaw close to the box. Free kick awaits...
Oh dear! After being heavily involved in winning the free kick, Bryan takes the set piece and skies the ball into the stands.
OFF THE POST! Second time tonight that United have hit the woodwork! This time the shot comes from Rashford, who tries his luck from long range. The ball is heading towards the bottom right corner, but the post gets in the way.
Some pressure from Bristol City as they work the ball around the danger area. It ends up at the feet of Bryan, who heads to the byline before delivering a low cross into the box, which is cleared by Lindelof.
CHANCE! Pogba picks the ball up in the middle of the box and he has plenty of space to roam. The £89m man unleashes a shot from outside the box, but he misses the target as it drops wide.
PENALTY DENIED! Rashford is unhappy with the referee for failing to blow his whistle for a spot kick. The United attacker goes to ground under the challenge of Magnusson, who appears to pull back his opponent's arm, but Mike Dean is having none of it.
Risky from Pogba as he goes into a challenge studs up and catches Pack on the thigh. Nothing given.
Another contentious call as Martial appears to handle the ball after Pack's attempted cross, but a corner is given instead.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Bristol City find the back of the net, but it doesn't count! Flint blocks Romero's goal kick as the shot-stopper ends up kicking it into the back of the defender, who then turns and pokes it home, but the whistle had already blown for a foul.
SAVE! United fail to clear the ball convincingly and Magnusson gets past his marker to meet it and unleash a shot from outside the box. Romero leaps to his right to push the ball out for a corner, which comes to nothing for the hosts.
Another stop from Romero as he catches the ball in the air after it was flicked on towards Reid in the box. In the end, the Bristol City forward is penalised for blocking the United goalkeeper.
Brownhill attempts to play the ball down the left flank before Shaw closes him down and forces the ball out for a throw-in.
Wright is in acres of space and charges down the right-hand side, but he is stopped in his tracks as Shaw gets back to make a crucial tackle.
McTominay plays the ball out wide for Darmian, whose cross gets blocked but the ball ends up traveling to Pogba. The midfielder knocks it to McTominay, who delivers a high cross to Ibrahimovic and the striker is muscled off the ball.
Pogba feeds in Ibrahimovic, who tries to set himself up for a shot in the box, but a swarm of red shirts crowd him out and the ball ends up going out for a corner.
CHANCE! The corner is drifted into the box to find McTominay, who heads the ball on for Ibrahimovic, who aims for the near post, but ends up slicing it high and wide.
What a challenge from Blind! Smith is in on goal after receiving a back-heel from his teammate, but Blind times his tackle perfectly and nicks the ball straight from under the midfielder's feet.
The ball is played long for Reid, who tries to dance around Rojo and ends up winning a throw in the process.
The throw-in is hurled in by Magnusson, but he ends up sending the ball directly to Romero, who catches the ball from the air with ease.
HALF-TIME: BRISTOL CITY 0-0 MANCHESTER UNITED
So far so good for the Robins as they head into the interval goalless at Ashton Gate. The home side know that they cannot afford to switch off, but they are very much in with a shout of progressing into the semi-finals. United have shown spells of danger up front, particularly when Pogba and Martial are awarded space, but the closest they have come is Rashford's attempt that rattled off the post.
Rashford also felt that he deserved a penalty when Magnusson grabbed his arm in the box, but referee Mike Dean waved away the United star's claims. Ibrahimovic has so far failed to make an impact. Tonight is the first time that the Swede has started a game since recovering from a knee injury and at the moment, sharpness is lacking.
There was a heart-in-mouths moment for the Red Devils when Korey Smith was through on goal in the box, but Daley Blind came to the rescue to put in a perfectly-timed tackle to deny the midfielder a shot. Bristol City are more than holding their own; whether they can cause a shock remains to be seen.
RESTART! United get the second half underway! Neither side have made changes to the team.
BOOKING! The first yellow of the game as Paterson goes into the book for bringing down Pogba.
Rashford takes the free kick with a thumping drive, but it fails to get past the first man. Bristol City try to play the ball out but they give another free kick away as Brownhill tackles Martial.
SAVE! It's a pretty much identical free kick from the first, but this time Rashford gets it past the wall. It takes a nick off Smith on the way through, which makes it awkward for Steele. The ball bounces in front of him but he manages to parry it away.
CHANCE! At the other end, Reid manages to get round Lindelof before striking a shot at a close angle from inside the box, but he ends up finding the side-netting.
GOAL! BRISTOL CITY 1-0 MANCHESTER UNITED (BRYAN)
What a strike! A lovely ball from Pack finds the feet of Bryan, who unleashes a sweet shot with his left foot, which hammers past Romero and into the back of the net. The crowd certainly enjoyed that one!
The Robins have certainly been lifted here! United need to respond and they manage to win a corner off the goalscorer Bryan.
Blind whips the set piece into the centre of the box, but it's comfortably headed clear by Pack, who has been very impressive tonight.
Bryan tries to double the lead and earn his second of the night. He is in plenty of space as he receives the ball, but it's a tamer effort and Romero gathers comfortably.
GOAL! BRISTOL CITY 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (IBRAHIMOVIC)
Well, he may not have done much in the first half, but Ibrahimovic scores what could be a crucial goal for United. The visitors win a free kick a yard or so outside of the box. The Swede takes the set piece by firing a low shot through the wall and past the keeper.
MAN UNITED SUB: Mourinho makes the first change of the game as Lukaku makes way for Blind. Quite the compliment to Bristol City!
Pogba goes long looking for Lukaku and it's a stunning pass from the midfielder. The United striker latches on, but his control lets him down and Bristol City gather the ball.
Lukaku and Rashford link up in and around the box before the latter drives towards the byline to get on the end of the ball, but Bryan tracks him and manages to muscle out his opponent.
CLOSE! Oh my! What an embarrassing goal that would have been to concede from United! Magnusson sends a long throw into the middle of the box. Romero comes off his line to punch clear, but Flint gets there first with a header. There's an open goal, but the ball bounces inches wide.
MAN UNITED SUB: That's the end of Ibrahimovic's night as he gets brought off and replaced with forgotten man Mkhitaryan.
BRISTOL CITY SUB: Now the hosts make a change and a formation shuffle as Magnusson makes way for Taylor.
SAVE! Lukaku and Mkhitaryan link up before the striker moves towards the edge of the area and goes for glory, which forces a stop from Steele. The keeper knocks the ball back into open play and it's swept clear by the hosts.
Fantastic challenge from Bryan as he denies Rashford a shot after the United striker looked through on goal. The defender came across and timed his tackle perfectly.
BOOKING! A sign of frustration from Rashford as he responds to Bryan's tackle by mistiming his own.
BRISTOL CITY SUB: Another change from the hosts as Eliasson replaces Brownhill.
CHANCE! Close from Lukaku as Pogba delivers a decent ball into the area. The striker directs a header for the bottom corner, but Steele makes a stop.
CHANCE! An opportunity for Bristol City as Paterson cuts inside and gets past Darmian before trying to curl the ball into the top corner, but he fails to find the target.
CHANCE! A bursting run from Pogba as he gets behind the defence and drives into the centre of the box, but the ball just gets away from him and he fails to unleash a shot.
SAVE! Some pressure from Bristol City as Pack gets the ball on the right and drives to the byline before delivering a cross, which forced Romero to tip the ball over the bar.
CHANCE! Rashford goes for glory, but fails to connect cleanly and the strike surges high into the stands.
SAVE! Fantastic stop from Steele as he gets low to the ground to push out Lukaku's shot. The keeper was blocked by two teammates as the ball slipped through the legs of the pair, but he managed to make a perfect reaction save.
Bristol City are hanging on but they are doing a good job of it! At the moment, they are heading towards an extra 30 minutes of play.
An opportunity for the hosts as they win a free kick, which will allow them to lift the ball into the box.
Pack manages to do so, but they fail to make the most of it and United try to counter.
BOOKINGS! Taylor receives a yellow card for stopping Lukaku in his tracks, while Pogba also gets booked for screaming at the referee in anger.
A late surge forward for Bristol City, but the move breaks down with Eliasson as his high cross is comfortably plucked from the air by Romero. Three minutes added on.
GOAL! BRISTOL CITY 2-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (SMITH)
Wow, what a finish! The hosts come again at United and they're rewarded as the ball finds Smith with acres of space in the box and fires it home.
FULL-TIME: BRISTOL CITY 2-1 MANCHESTER UNITED
Wow, what an end to the game! Bristol City reach the semi-finals of the EFL Cup after beating Manchester United 2-1 in the dying minutes. Joe Bryan put the Robins ahead early in the second half, but it seemed that Jose Mourinho's side would come from behind to get the job done following Zlatan Ibrahimovic's equaliser.
It was not to be, though, as Bristol City never gave up and they were rewarded when Korey Smith scored from inside the box with seconds of added time remaining. The Championship club will face either Manchester City, Arsenal or Chelsea in the semi-finals. Thank you for joining us, and until next time, goodbye!
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
