Rockin’ Robins.

Carabao Cup: Championship side claim fourth Premier League scalp

Holders Manchester United were sent crashing out of the Carabao Cup quarter-finals by Championship promotion contenders Bristol City last night after Korey Smith’s stoppage-time strike secured a stunning 2-1 victory.

BRISTOL CITY 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 1

Bristol City sent Manchester United crashing out of the Carabao Cup after Korey Smith’s stoppage-time strike secured a stunning 2-1 victory.

The Championship promotion challengers joined Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in the last-four as Smith’s winner rocked a starstudded United side led by captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Joe Bryan gave City a 51st-minute lead but Ibrahimovic equalised shortly afterwards.

Then, just when extra-time beckoned, Smith was set free by Matty Taylor and delivered the goods.

United manager Jose Mourinho said: “They were a bit lucky but they fought a lot to be lucky.

“In the first half we lacked the intensity that they had – physically and mentally. It was one more day in the office for my players, a day that some of them didn’t even want to come to the office.”

United became City’s fourth Premier League scalp in the Carabao Cup this season after they sent Watford, Stoke and Crystal Palace packing.

Mourinho made 10 changes from the side that beat West Brom last weekend, with only Marcus Rashford retained. Ibrahimovic made his first start of the season, with Paul Pogba also returning from suspension.

The visitors hit the woodwork twice in a goalless first half but Lee Johnson’s Bristol side gave as good as they got with Sergio Romero in the United goal forced into action on several occasions.

Mourinho sent on Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Romelu Lukaku in an attempt to find a winner but it was Smith who sparked wild scenes of celebration at Ashton Gate with his stoppage-time strike.

CHELSEA 2 BOURNEMOUTH 1

Alvaro Morata’s stoppage-time strike sent Chelsea into the semis.

Willian had given Chelsea a 13thminute lead but the Blues invited pressure and Dan Gosling equalised in the 90th minute.

Chelsea attacked from the restart and Eden Hazard back-heeled into the path of fellow substitute Morata, who tucked the ball away to send the Blues through.

The much-changed home side struggled to assert themselves against the Cherries but eventually prevailed, extending the visitors’ winless run to seven games ahead of Saturday’s trip to runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Head coach Antonio Conte, who made eight changes, has added a dose of realism to Chelsea’s bid to retain the Premier League title with the Blues third, 14 points behind City, but the quest for silverware this season remains alive and well.

Picture: PA. Bristol City goal hero Korey Smith celebrates with fans after his stoppage-time winner sparked a pitch invasion at the final whistle seconds later.