Pep Guardiola apologised for ending Bristol City’s 12-match unbeaten run as the Manchester City manager admitted his side struggled at times to deal with the Robins attacking transitions, before late goals from Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne secured what appeared a comfortable 3-0 victory in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Guardiola stuck to his word by selecting a “serious team” at Ashton Gate and as Foden opened the scoring after seven minutes, they threatened to kill the tie off before it had really begun. But the resilient Robins struck back, seizing the momentum at times with Mark Sykes denied a good penalty shout and Sam Bell twice going close either side of half-time.
Guardiola evidenced his need for his team to claim a second by introducing Jack Grealish into the contest in the second half, with Foden and then De Bruyne responding to quell any hopes of a comeback from the hosts.
Guardiola namechecked Matty James, Alex Scott and Sam Bell in his praise of City, and also curiously said he expected Anis Mehmeti to line up for the Robins even though the forward was cup tied having played for Wycombe Wanderers earlier in the competition.
“Twelve games unbeaten, I’m sorry…” said Guardiola. “Honestly, joking aside, a solid team, so aggressive. James is a really good player, the young lad Scott is young, young talent. Bell and the wingers are so, so fast.
“I know how difficult the Championship is; one million games until the end of the season. Nigel has a lot of experience and it is a pleasure to see him. He has invited me for a glass of wine, which of course I will accept and that is why I have to leave.”
It was Guardiola’s second visit to Ashton Gate, with Manchester City having won the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final in 2018 and the atmosphere was once again befitting of the occasion with a noisy and passionate sold-out crowd throughout.
“The incredible fans of Bristol,” Guardiola said on ITV. “I remember five years ago when we came here for the semi-final for our first title, our first Carabao Cup. We came here for the semi-final and the environment was amazing, I remember it perfectly.
“A good result. The FA Cup is so nice and away, wherever you play is difficult and we behaved like we are.
“We started the game really well but after we scored we could not control the transitions, we felt how dangerous they are in the transitions,” Guardiola added in his press conference. “Scott is a really good player and the wingers as well.
"The second half was much better, from minute one. At 1-0 the game is always open but we scored the second and the third and the game was over so we’re happy.”
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