Manchester City cruised into the sixth round of the FA Cup following a 3-0 win away at Bristol City, with Phil Foden netting his first brace since a Manchester Derby hat-trick in October, and more than doing his part to make it three wins and two draws on the road for City in a mere fortnight.
Pep Guardiola’s City side got off to the perfect start, taking what always looked like a decisive lead inside just seven minutes.
Kevin De Bruyne played Riyad Mahrez down the right wing, and the Algerian squared the ball across the face of goal, where Phil Foden was on hand to tap in at the back post – mirroring a typical City goal.
The visitors had a great chance to double their lead but Julián Álvarez completely miscued Foden’s driven cross, and the Argentine scuffed his effort off his shin.
Despite going into the HT break one-goal down, Bristol City would have been encouraged with their performance, largely keeping City at bay for parts of the first half.
Foden and Álvarez linked up again early in the second half, carving open the Robins’ defence.
The Englishman this time flashed a ball across the face of goal, but his Argentine teammate couldn’t quite connect with the ball to turn it home.
City were beginning to turn the screw though, and Nigel Pearson’s side finally cracked as the final quarter hour approached.
City danger man Foden again made his mark, seeing a wayward shot deflected in by Zak Vyner to put the Citizens’ passage to the next round beyond all doubt.
Two then quickly became three, when substitute Jack Grealish teed up De Bruyne, who exquisitely curled in a 25-yard effort to wrap up the tie with extra panache.
City’s focus now turns back to the Premier League, where they host Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.