My players will go down in folklore... I’m so proud
BRISTOL CITY manager Lee Johnson said his players will go down in folklore after their stunning defeat of Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.
‘They were absolutely outstanding and to beat Manchester United is incredible,’ said Johnson. ‘I’m not just proud of the players’ personality but also their professionalism. Those scenes will live in the memory of this football club for years.’
Johnson raced down the touchline to celebrate Korey Smith’s dramatic winner three minutes into added time. The manager said: ‘It was an unbelievable feeling, a turn of pace from me down the line that hadn’t been seen in years — I’m chuffed to bits.’
It was the club’s biggest result since beating Liverpool at Anfield in an FA Cup third-round replay back in 1994.
‘It’s a young group full of quality and they got their rewards,’ added Johnson. ‘They will go down in Bristol City folklore. At times we looked like the Premier League side. I can’t be more proud of the group.’
As for the prospect of facing Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in the two-legged semi-final, he added: ‘City is a brilliant draw. We’ve got to get over the overwhelming feeling of pride.’
Goalscorer Smith added: ‘I don’t know what to say. Unbelievable. We played brilliantly like we have all season. I wasn’t being tracked when I made the run forward.
‘I joined this club when we were in League One with three stands. We have been brilliant this season.’
United’s Marcus Rashford struck a post and Mourinho — who was swift to depart Ashton Gate — claimed Johnson’s side were fortunate. He complained that his own players lacked intensity.
‘My thoughts were that they were a bit lucky but they fought a lot to be lucky,’ he said.
‘They won the game in our best moment when everyone was waiting for our goal. Normally when a team loses against a lower division it’s because the performance isn’t good. I studied their team, made my players aware of their quality.
‘They were lucky because we hit the post. I don’t want to criticise my team but praise Bristol. We didn’t want extra-time, we wanted to win the game.
‘Luck comes from effort and belief. You need that extra motivation. They fought really hard and are a really good team.’
Mourinho’s pre-match plans had been thrown into disarray earlier yesterday when United’s private plane had to be diverted to Cardiff because of the weather conditions around Bristol.
And to a cap a dreadful day, a number of supporters were restrained by police at full-time after a pitch invasion turned ugly, with punches thrown at the United end of the stadium.
‘It’s a big day for them and their supporters,’ said Mourinho. ‘For us it was just one more day in the office and some of them probably didn’t want to come into the office.
‘Bristol fought like this was the game of their lives which it probably was. It was a beautiful day for football.
‘I congratulate them. The main thing of it is that they won. We lacked the intensity that they had. Not just physically but mentally.’