A stoppage-time goal from Sergio Aguero has seen Bailey Wright’s Bristol City lose 2-1 to runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City in the first leg of their Carabao Cup (League Cup) semi-final on Wednesday morning (AEDT).
Bristol, skippered by Caltex Socceroos defender Wright, looked on track for a well-deserved draw at the Etihad Stadium until Aguero popped up with a header at the death.
But the Robins have given themselves hope of progressing to next month’s final at Wembley when they host Pep Guardiola’s men in the return leg at Ashton Gate in a fortnight.
Wright played the full 90 minutes for the visitors and was strong throughout up against City’s speedy German winger Leroy Sane.
Bristol, who eliminated Manchester United in the quarters, were massive underdogs for the clash but were one of the few teams to trouble City this season.
Lee Johnson’s men took a shock lead just before half-time when Bobby Reid won and then converted a penalty following a foul from John Stones.
City upped the intensity after the break and drew level when Kevin De Bruyne lashed home from close range from Raheem Sterling’s cut-back.
Despite having to absorb a lot of pressure from the hosts, Bristol were defending stoutly until Aguero broke their hearts in stoppage-time.
Bernardo Silva’s inch-perfect cross from the right picked out the Argentine who glanced his header past keeper Frank Fielding.