Man City fight off Bristol City

London : Manchester City kept alive their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple by reaching the Carabao Cup final with a 3-2 win at Bristol City.

Goals from Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne secured a 5-3 aggregate triumph and manager Pep Guardiola’s first cup final in English football.

Marlon Pack’s 64th-minute header and a close-range strike from Aden Flint in stoppage looked like giving Bristol City a draw on the night, but De Bruyne scored with the final kick of the match.

Bristol City, in their first semi-final of a major cup competition for nearly 30 years, had retained hope of causing an upset after losing the first leg at the Etihad Stadium 2-1.

There was an electric atmosphere inside Ashton Gate at kick-off with over 22,000 flags handed out to home supporters.

But this was a bridge too far for Sky Bet Championship hosts who had already eliminated four Premier League sides from the competition, most notably Manchester United in the quarter-final.

Guardiola’s team selection showed he was taking no risks as Kyle Walker, Fernandinho, David Silva and Aguero - none of whom had started the first leg - were all involved from the beginning.

Bristol City’s cause was not helped by the loss of goalkeeper Frank Fielding and Nathan Baker to injury, although the centre-half was fit enough to take his place on the Robins’ bench.

The pattern of the game was a predictable one, Bristol City penned back into their own half by the runaway Premier League leaders and starved of meaningful possession.

Warning signs flashed when Aguero’s chip came back off the crossbar and John Stones narrowly missed out on providing a telling touch to David Silva’s free-kick.

A rare moment of concern for Manchester City saw Fernandinho booked for pulling back Bobby Reid on the edge of the penalty area.

But Bristol City’s opportunity came to nothing and the visitors continued to probe with David Silva at the heart of their best moments.

David Silva’s shot across goal was tipped away by Luke Steele from the lurking Aguero, while the Spaniard was then allowed to advance 40 yards unchallenged before driving wide.