Fired-up Phil Foden back in business as Manchester City stroll into FA Cup quarter-finals
By Sam Dean at Ashton Gate
Such is the collection of stars at Manchester City that it can be easy, at times, to forget about Phil Foden. This jewel of English football has been kept in the shadows for much of the past few weeks, hidden away while the others shine more brightly, but then there are days like this, when the 22-year-old reminds the world – and indeed his manager – of his class.
An FA Cup brace against Bristol City, mid-table in the Championship, is not going to make or break Foden’s season. Nor is it going to rank particularly highly in the career highlights of this most talented of English footballers. But for it to follow a similarly sparkling showing against Bournemouth, just a few days ago, is certainly significant for Manchester City.
Is Foden back? On this evidence, the answer is an emphatic yes. Dropped from the side in recent weeks (he has also struggled with injury), Foden must have looked enviously at his team-mates. Perhaps an anger has burned in him. It certainly seemed that way on a cold night in Bristol, when he flew into tackles with an unusual but formidable fire.
With help from Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne, Foden gradually picked apart Nigel Pearson’s side on an ultimately straightforward evening for Pep Guardiola’s team. Mahrez was signed by Pearson at Leicester but he was ruthless in creating Foden’s first against his old manager. The returning De Bruyne, meanwhile, issued his own statement of intent with a superb long-range effort in the second half.
For a Championship side to have success against Manchester City usually requires either defensive perfection or a hearty dollop of luck. Or both. Sadly for Pearson’s side, they had neither in the opening few minutes here.
First the visitors strolled through their defence, with Mahrez crossing artfully for Foden to convert the opener. And then Pearson’s side were denied a penalty, just a few minutes later, after Mark Sykes had been brought down by Rico Lewis.
On first viewing it felt like a harsh decision, and it soon led to a sense of anti-official resentment building among the home fans at Ashton Gate. They had arrived in numbers to support a side that came into this meeting without a defeat in 12 matches, to swirl their red-and-white scarves overhead and to inform the travelling fans that, “just like Manchester”, their city is red.
They had also come to see young Alex Scott, a teenage midfielder who might be putting more bums on more seats for many years to come. The 19-year-old is a talent of enormous potential and it was his dribbling and creativity that prompted the most excitement for the home fans in the first half.
An England youth international, Scott is catching the eye of bigger teams than Bristol City and, as is the way of the footballing world, he might not be in these parts for much longer. Against England’s Kalvin Phillips, making only his second start for Manchester City, he did not look out of his depth. With his socks rolled down and the ball sticking to his feet, there was more than a hint of Jack Grealish – in footballing style, at least – about the young playmaker.
One can only imagine what sort of lessons Scott was learning from De Bruyne in the first half. The Belgian was back in the starting lineup and he looked frighteningly sharp, in bursts. It was De Bruyne’s pass for Mahrez that led to Foden’s goal, and he almost doubled the lead with a couple of fierce efforts on the break.
Kevin De Bruyne. That's it. That's the tweet.@EmiratesFACup | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/gttHOYrBak
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 28, 2023
Phillips had struck the bar in the first minute and there were other chances for Guardiola’s side: Ruben Dias had a shot blocked, Mahrez’s bouncing effort was cleared off the line and Phillips fired wide from range.
Manchester City had not been beaten on the last 18 occasions they had scored the first goal in an FA Cup match, dating back to April 2017. The scale of the task for the home side, then, was both obvious and daunting.
To their credit, it was not a challenge that seemed to intimidate them. They pushed with genuine intensity for much of the second half, even dominating the game in spells. When Sam Bell reached Andreas Weimann’s cross, heading narrowly wide, it felt as if a comeback was a real possibility.
But Foden, Mahrez and De Bruyne were in no mood to mess around as the match wore on. Foden’s second ripped the spirit from the home side, ending the game as a contest thanks to a deflection off Zak Vyner, before De Bruyne strode forward a couple of minutes later. Few players in world football are as dangerous from 25 yards, and the Belgian promptly ripped his effort into the bottom corner of Max O’Leary’s net.
Bristol City vs Manchester City: As it happened
10:21 PM
Pep Guardiola speaks with ITV Sport
It was really tough. Bristol showed us how good they can be. I was impressed by some players, I didn't know them. The second half was much better.
Incredible fans at Bristol. We came here five years ago in the Carabao Cup and it was amazing. I remember it perfectly.
We're still alive in three competitions. We'll see what happens in the future.
10:18 PM
Nigel Pearson speaks with ITV Sport
The thing that pleases me most about tonight is that we were true to ourselves.
I'm pleased about how we approached it, I'm pleased about how the players stretched themselves and basically went toe-to-toe with the best team in this country. Disappointing it didn't end a bit tighter, but congratulations to them.
One of the things that we need to make sure we do is use the run of 12 games unbeaten before this and use this as a catalyst to go on.
10:12 PM
Tomorrow's FA Cup fifth-round fixtures
Southampton vs Grimsby
Burnley vs Fleetwood
Man Utd vs West Ham
Sheff Utd vs Tottenham
10:00 PM
Phil Foden speaks with ITV Sport
It was quite tight at times, they went man for man at times.
I feel much better with my feet. I feel 100% fit now and comfortable. [It has] Been one of the worst parts of my career but everyone goes through them and it is how you react. Discomfort in my feet and not playing as much. I love to play football and when I don't I am a bit frustrated.
We want to go far and try to win it [the FA Cup]. The last few games have been brilliant and we look like we're making a step forward.
09:57 PM
The other results in the fifth round tonight
Stoke City 0 Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Leicester City 1 Blackburn Rovers 2
Fulham 2 Leeds United 0
09:55 PM
Full time: Bristol 0 Man City 3
And that is that. A quarter final tie for the fifth year running for Pep Guardiola's Man City.
They've overcome Bristol City tonight. It wasn't without a few issues here and there, but Foden was on hand to score twice and it was topped off by a KDB special.
They are still very much in the title hunt, they still have their eyes on the Champions League – and now they're in the hunt for the FA Cup.
09:51 PM
90 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 3
Two minutes of added time to come. Ederson has almost been caught out there, coming out as a sweeper... but it's recovered well by the defence.
09:48 PM
And here's Foden's/the own goal
Kevin De Bruyne's vision. Wow.
Ally McCoist loved that pass! 😍 @EmiratesFACup | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/JpIAl2oqs3— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 28, 2023
09:47 PM
87 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 3
Tempers boil over – a little needless at this stage. Bernardo Silva is shown a yellow – as does Williams.
It looks like Silva is shoved by Williams, Silva gets up and shoves his man back. Cue a small brawl, but Marriner soon sorts it out.
09:44 PM
The sort of strike we've come to expect from KDB
Kevin De Bruyne. That's it. That's the tweet.@EmiratesFACup | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/gttHOYrBak
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 28, 2023
09:42 PM
GOAL! Bristol 0 Man City 3 (De Bruyne, 82 mins)
What a strike from KDB to send Man City through to the quarter finals!
A simple two-yard pass from the left, into the feet of De Bruyne who strolls towards the D, Alvarez dragging a man out of position, but it's not needed. De Bruyne goes for it from distance, curling the ball into the bottom-right corner, hit with the front inside part of his foot. Top class execution – exactly what we've come to expect from KDB.
09:37 PM
GOAL! Bristol 0 Man City 2 (Foden, 73)
Foden gets his second... or it might go down as an own goal actually.
The pass from KDB to Ake into the inside left channel is delicious. Ake squares to Alvarez on his right, who spins, plays in Foden who goes for goal and there's a heavy touch from Zak Vyner to put the ball into his own net.
09:31 PM
70 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
A great ball in from Weimann, again from the right-hand side, to Bell deep in the box. But there's a little too much curl on it and the ball ends up a little bit behind him.
Grealish on for Mahrez for Man City.
09:28 PM
67 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Emergency action from Ake who puts in a diving header, conceding a corner after another strong Bristol cross from the right flank.
Bristol have been looking lively these last 10 minutes, most of the attacks coming up the right-hand side, causing plenty of problems for the defence of the English champions.
09:26 PM
65 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Foden picks up the first yellow of the night, charging into Sykes as the Bristol man jumps, lifting his undercarriage by the looks of it to encourage the foul.
09:24 PM
63 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
KDB... to Alvarez, who shoots from outside the box but O'Leary dives well to his right and denies the Man City man.
09:23 PM
Bernardo Silva looks for a way through
09:19 PM
59 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Man City free kick, a yard outside the box, left hand side of the D. KDB and Mahrez queue up. KDB takes, a short run-up, but hits the wall. No real conviction there. It deflects out to Mahrez who gets his shot away, but again, not troubling anyone there.
09:16 PM
55 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Man City try to find another way through, Silva, Foden and KDB combining once again.
KDB tries to poke the ball through to Alvarez, but Sykes gets across and cuts it out, perfectly timed with the tackle there. The visitors are looking for the gaps, but they're being thwarted every time. How much longer until we see Haaland thrown on to mix it up?
09:12 PM
52 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Akanji does well under high pressure from Wells. The Bristol man gives away a foul in the end, pulling the Swiss international's arm.
09:11 PM
51 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Foden gets in behind Sykes and charges down the left flank, full throttle, before squaring to Alvarez in the box, wonderfully placed, but the City forward can't quite get to it.
09:09 PM
49 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
They're not out the traps in the same way as 45 minutes ago, a little more lethargy about play now. No real chances yet, but perhaps that first half spoilt us.
09:07 PM
47 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Clash of shins as Ederson comes out and whacks clear on the edge of his box, connecting with Bell on the follow through. Both walk away gingerly.
09:06 PM
46 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Silva a bit too physical with Wells, pulling him out the way. Bristol free kick.
09:05 PM
Second half
Begins.
09:04 PM
The players are back out
One change apiece at half time.
Ortega comes off for Ederson between the sticks for Man City.
Weimann comes on for Tanner.
09:03 PM
Nigel and Pep
09:02 PM
Latest scores in the other fifth round matches
Stoke 0 Brighton 1
Leicester 1 Blackburn 2
Fulham 1 Leeds 0
09:01 PM
Special touch from Foden here
We need to talk about this touch 😲
Philip Walter Foden, that is special 🤩@EmiratesFACup | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/zqMOQHJQnz— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 28, 2023
09:00 PM
Man City's goal: Mahrez and Foden combine
08:53 PM
Nigel Pearson and Riyad Mahrez
08:51 PM
Half time: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Man City are ahead thanks to Phil Foden who has been the best player on the pitch this half, but Bristol have remained switched on and cut out several Man City attacks in the final third, Kalas looking especially impressive for the hosts.
Bell has looked lively up Bristol's left, taking advantage of City mistakes and getting two or three shots away. Nigel Pearson will be pretty satisfied at the break.
08:48 PM
45 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Phillips has another long-range dig. Foden and KDB combining in a pocket on the left before cutting the ball inside for Phillips who leans back too much and doesn't get properly over the ball, lashing it wide.
08:46 PM
44 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Foden and KDB combine yet again – this time from the corner which the Englishman creates. A little one-two sees the Belgian pitch one of his dangerous crosses in, but red shirts climb well and snuff out the danger.
08:44 PM
43 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Akanji the victim of a late challenge form Wells, who catches the City man with the follow through as he clears his lines. Just a short talking to from Marriner for the Bristol man.
08:43 PM
41 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
The intelligence of Phil F: he looks like he's not interested in the pass, but he suddenly switches on, a rocket ignited through the middle, switching to KDB on his left who gets a shot away, but it's deflected away.
08:41 PM
39 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Foden with a brilliant take on the outside-left channel, sending George Tanner packing. It's switched from the right and the balance to take that ball down with precision is excellent. He gets the cross in, but there are red shirts in the way.
08:39 PM
38 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Foden's run into a challenge from Alex Scott. Not a lot in it, the City man ran into Scott more than anything else. Still a free kick though.
08:37 PM
35 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Another good challenge by Kalas to dispossess KDB on the edge of the final third. He distributes the ball out to Bell, who makes his way down the inside left channel before darting inside and letting rip on the edge of the D. It's over, but another sharp move from the hosts, Kalas giving a great account of himself tonight.
08:35 PM
Phil Foden's goal
✅ Goal at the weekend
✅ Early goal tonight
Phil Foden is finding some form for Manchester City 😎@EmiratesFACup | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/FASxMN6Fs4— ITV Football (@itvfootball) February 28, 2023
08:33 PM
31 mins: Bristol City 0 Man City 1
Lewis drives forward, to Foden, who then unleashes KDB down the left flank... looking promising, but Man City have to go back to advance once again. Solid defending from Bristol forcing plenty of movement from City.
The ball is switched to KDB on the left flank, who cuts inside onto his right foot and goes for goal... but it's a poor effort, well over O'Leary's crossbar.
08:31 PM
Big block by Kalas to deny KDB
08:29 PM
The ITV commentary team are off their seats
Entertaining game so far.
08:27 PM
Haaland and Grealish – £150 million right there
On the bench. Will we see them get a run out tonight?
08:26 PM
23 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
KDB has a crack, City surging in number, but Kalas puts in a terrific tackle to stop the shot.
He had Mahrez to the right of him, in an acre of space and KDB could have squared it.
In the end the ball is deflected out and is then switched to Mahrez who has a dig, but Kalas is there again, this time to clear off the line – but it was probably just going wide anyway.
08:21 PM
19 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Scott picks the ball up on the outside left channel, he cuts inside and has a dig, asking a question of Ortega, but it's gathered. Bristol haven't been put off by that early City goal, they're continuing to take the game to the visitors with a raucous crowd behind them.
08:19 PM
18 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Mahrez, into Phillips, into KDB, a great break from City here... but it's well snuffed out by the Bristol defence.
08:18 PM
16 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Foden sweeps a ball in to Alvarez from the left side of the box, Alvarez in the centre of the box.
Alvarez looks to strike it, but he completely miscues it and the ball hits his standing foot and ricochets back out. Man City threatening, KDB offloading well in the build-up.
08:15 PM
An update from Telegraph Sport's Sam Dean
Beautiful cross by Riyad Mahrez for that opening goal, tapped in by Phil Foden. Nigel Pearson, the Bristol City manager, will have seen that before from the Algerian winger – it was Pearson who signed Mahrez for Leicester back in 2014. There's a big difference between knowing the threat and stopping it, though...
08:14 PM
10 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 1
Penalty shout! A brilliant touch from Sykes, who charges into Man City's box. Lewis comes across throws his arm over and Sykes goes tumbling to the ground. That could've been given, but Marriner chooses not to entertain the idea.
08:10 PM
GOAL! Bristol 0 Man City 1 (Foden, 6)
Phil Foden breaks the deadlock.
Switch of play to Mahrez on the right, and then inside to De Bruyne, back to Mahrez, who squares across to Foden at the back post to slot home.
A solid finish there from quite a tight angle. Bell just switched off there, dropping his man and allowing Mahrez to get in and put the ball across.
08:07 PM
5 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 0
Foden delays a little bit as he cuts inside from the left flank and it gives enough time for Vyner to deflect the ball away and the attack breaks down.
08:04 PM
2 mins: Bristol 0 Man City 0
Akanji slips and Sam Bell is sent down the left flank. He cuts inside, into the box, and gets a placed shot away – but it's deflected out for a corner. He perhaps had options there, but it's a good response to Phillips's early foray.
08:02 PM
1 min: Bristol 0 Man City 0
Kalvin Phillips has rattled the crossbar!
An early warning shot to keep O'Leary on his toes.
08:01 PM
Kick off!
And we're under way at Ashton Gate.
Andre Marriner officiates tonight.
08:01 PM
A moment of applause for John Motson
Before kick off.
07:58 PM
The final FA Cup kick off of the evening
The fifth round matches have been starting at 15 minute intervals from 7:15pm this evening. Here are the current scores:
Stoke 0 Brighton 1
Leicester 0 Blackburn 0
Fulham 0 Leeds 0
07:55 PM
The teams are gathering in the tunnel
ITV1 for this one tonight if you want to watch live.
07:54 PM
Bristol warm up
Kick off in five minutes.
07:46 PM
Nigel Pearson speaks with ITV Sport
It's an interesting time for us. We've worked really hard to get our form back in the league, more consistent. The cup run has been an integral part of that shift in form. So to play against one of the best sides in the world is a reward for the players.
We've got some good player. It's not just about showing the physical attributes, we'll know we'll probably have some good opportunities in the game, but we've got to convert opportunities. We'll have to be at our best.
I want to see the Alex Scott we've seen week in, week out. He's a part of a side that have developed a style which I think suits the players we have. What we've shown is a real courage to play our own way.
We recognise the quality we're playing against, but we want the players to play with freedom.
07:41 PM
Bristol manager Nigel Pearson brought Riyad Mahrez to English football – now he faces him tonight
Nigel Pearson introduced Riyad Mahrez to English football in January 2014 when he was in charge of Leicester, signing the Algeria forward from French club Le Havre for around £450,000.
He won the Premier League title at Leicester in 2016 before making a £60million move to Manchester City two years later.
The 32-year-old has won another three Premier League titles, three League Cups, one FA Cup and has scored 75 goals during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
07:38 PM
Phil Foden
Starts tonight.
07:35 PM
Team news: Bristol City's starting XI
Bristol City: O'Leary, Tanner, Vyner, Kalas, Pring, James, Williams, Sykes, Scott, Wells, Bell.
Subs: Wilson, Dasilva, King, Weimann, Haikin, Taylor-Clarke, Francois, Thomas, Morrison.
07:34 PM
Team news: Manchester City starting XI
Man City: Man City: Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Lewis, Phillips, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Alvarez.
Subs: Perrone, Walker, Gundogan, Haaland, Grealish, Rodri, Gomez, Ederson, Palmer.
07:25 PM
Manchester City look to end Bristol's 12-match unbeaten run
To the FA Cup fifth round this evening as Pep Guardiola's Manchester City travel to Bristol who sit 13th in the Championship.
Manchester City may have avoided Premier League opposition in this round, but Bristol have been unbeaten in all competitions since the last week of December.
Bristol's January signings Anis Mehmeti and Harry Cornick are both cup-tied, and manager Nigel Pearson accepts upsetting the Premier League champions is a tall order.
"It will be sensational if something like that happens," said Pearson, who skippered Middlesbrough in their 1997 FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea and meets Guardiola for the first time in his managerial career.
"It's us against them. It's not about managers, it's not about me. The important thing is, we've won two cup ties and gained an exciting tie against a top side.
"It helps us as a football club, the chance of earning some revenue and hopefully it's an occasion our fans will enjoy."
Pearson introduced Riyad Mahrez to English football in January 2014 when he was in charge of Leicester, signing the Algeria forward from French club Le Havre for around £450,000.
Mahrez has gone on to have a glittering career, winning the Premier League title at Leicester in 2016 before making a £60million move to Manchester City two years later.
The tie shines a spotlight on Bristol City's highly-rated youngsters, including England Under-20 midfielder Alex Scott and forward Sam Bell.
Pearson said: "I want our young players to enjoy the opportunity of playing against such a good side.
"We've got to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. The bottom line is, to play with the same sort of energy levels that we're capable of."
