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Bristol City score injury-time winner to knock Manchester United out of Carabao Cup

Korey Smith
Bristol City reached the League Cup semi-finals for the first time since in 1988-89
Korey Smith scored an injury-time winner as Championship side Bristol City stunned holders Manchester United to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Smith's turn and strike in the final minute of time added on booked City's first EFL Cup last-four spot since 1988-89.
After an even first hour, Joe Bryan's rasping left-foot strike across goal into the top corner gave the Robins a shock lead at a packed Ashton Gate.
Their advantage lasted just eight minutes, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic marking his first start since 20 April with a low free-kick past Luke Steele, before Smith struck.

There were jubilant scenes at the final whistle, with much of the sell-out crowd rushing onto the pitch in celebration.
Despite fielding a side showing 10 changes, Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho had recalled Paul Pogba after his three-match ban for his red card against Arsenal and picked a forward line of Ibrahimovic, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
United did carve out numerous opportunities from open play, with Ibrahimovic and Rashford both striking the woodwork before half-time.
But, despite clearly tiring towards the end, City continued to throw numbers forward and were rewarded with Smith's dramatic winner - making United the fourth Premier League side they have knocked out this season, after Watford, Stoke and Crystal Palace.

How did Bristol City do it?

Head coach Lee Johnson has overseen a remarkable - bordering on unprecedented - turnaround during the past nine months.
Having endured a run of 15 defeats in 19 games, including a club record eight successive losses, the 36-year-old's job looked under serious threat - as did City's Championship status.
But, backed by owner Steve Lansdown, Johnson has since transformed the Robins into genuine promotion contenders, currently third in the table and now having won nine of their past 11 matches in all competitions.
As well as the upturn in results, the former midfielder has also produced a team now well recognised for their eye-catching brand of high-pressing, high-energy football - attributes they demonstrated in abundance against the Red Devils.
With diminutive pairing Bobby Reid and Jamie Paterson up front, City were forced to play through the lines rather than going direct and, although United were generally comfortable keeping the Robins at arms' length, Smith had already got clear in the first half only to be denied by a superb last-ditch tackle by Daley Blind.
Academy product Bryan, previously linked with a move to the top flight, was another important outlet and City's best player on the night, scoring a fine goal to put the hosts in front.
City maintained their confidence despite Ibrahimovic's equaliser and with extra-time looming they got their rewards as Smith kept his cool by stroking home a famous winner.

Mourinho lower league woe - the stats

  • Manchester United have been knocked out in four of their past seven League Cup ties against sides from a lower league.
  • Bristol City are only the second side from a lower division to eliminate four top-flight teams in one League Cup campaign - after Sheffield Wednesday in 1990-91.
  • The Robins have now scored 16 goals in this EFL Cup campaign - more than any other side in the competition.
  • Bristol City became only the second lower division side to knock United out of the League Cup as holders, after Southend United in 2006-07.
  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his first goal for the Red Devils since April against Sunderland, 255 days ago.
  • Joe Bryan's opener means he's scored three goals in his past four games in all competitions for Bristol City - as many as he had in his previous 105 for the Robins.
  • Bristol City are only the second lower league side Jose Mourinho has lost to as a manager in England, after Bradford in the 2014-15 FA Cup with Chelsea.

Source : BBC 

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