The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Aguero gives City narrow advantage with late goal
CARABAO CUP: Underdogs denied draw as striker heads home in stoppage time
Manchester City needed a late Sergio Aguero winner to claim a 2-1 advantage from the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Bristol City.
The runaway Premier League leaders were given a stern test by the Championship side and fell behind to a Bobby Reid penalty after 44 minutes at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s men created numerous chances in a strong response but, after Kevin De Bruyne’s well-worked 55th-minute equaliser, they had to wait until substitute Aguero headed in a Bernardo Silva cross in injury time.
The Robins, for whom goalkeeper Frank Fielding was outstanding, deserved to take something from the game and their away goal may give them some hope for the return at Ashton Gate.
Bristol City defender Aden Flint, who made a wonderful goalline clearance to deny Raheem Sterling immediately after Reid’s penalty certainly thinks so. He told Sky Sports Football: “(We’re) disappointed to concede late on but I think we can hold our heads high.
“We played very well today, could have had a couple more goals but we pushed probably the best team in the world all the way.
“We’re still in the contest. We’re disappointed but we’re looking forward to the next game.”
Home boss Pep Guardiola added: “They are a fantastic team. That’s why they knocked out four Premier League teams.
“They can play, long balls, they are fast, they know exactly what they have to do.
“Of course we will attack in Bristol and we’re going to try and win.”