With the FA Cup fourth round replays coming to an end this evening, Bristol City will already be looking forward to their fifth round tie against Manchester City after thrashing West Brom last month. The meeting with the Premier League champions is their first since the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final five years ago.
The Robins’ run in the Cup during the 2017-18 season was a memorable one as they fought off the likes of Watford, Crystal Palace and Manchester United to face Pep Guardiola’s side in their first major semi-final since 1989. After shocking Man United with a 2-1 win at Ashton Gate in December, City were confident of causing another upset against another Premier League outfit.
However, it wasn’t to be as Man City won both legs and went onto win the whole competition - however it wasn’t as easy as expected for the eight-time champions as the aggregate score ended 5-3. While most of the starting line-up from their second leg fixture no longer play for Bristol City, the new-look team will be once again eager to put on a performance.
Ahead of the Carabao Cup fifth round clash later this month, we take a look at the eleven that suffered defeat to City in 2018.
9. Korey Smith
The midfielder spent six years at Bristol City after joining from Oldham Athletic in 2014. Smith netted a last minute winner to beat Manchester United in the quarter-finals. He went onto play for Swansea City before signing for Derby County last summer. | AFP via Getty Images
10. Liam Walsh
Walsh joined Bristol City from Everton only weeks before he started against Man City. However, he failed to nail down a regular place in the starting XI and was shipped off to Coventry City on loan before joining Swansea City permanently in 2021. The 25-year-old hasn’t made a single appearance this season. | Getty Images
11. Jamie Paterson
The forward joined from Nottingham Forest in 2016 and bagged 43 goal contributions in 144 appearances over five years. Paterson was snapped up by Swansea City in 2021 but has only made four starts this season. | AFP via Getty Images