Sergio Aguero scores injury-time winner for Manchester City against Bristol City

Sergio Aguero's injury-time header gave Manchester City a lead to take to Ashton Gate, but a fine performance from the Championship side means that the tie is still alive, and they cannot have wished for very much more than that.

And yet it could have been so much better. Though the home side dominated the first half, they did not create that much and the visitors were enterprising and committed on the counter; committed enough to take the lead just before half-time, when Eliaquim Mangala was caught in possession after which John Stones needlessly fouled Bobby Reid inside the box. Reid picked himself up and slotted home the eventuating penalty.

Manchester City turned it up after the break, and on 55 minutes, Kevin de Bruyne, their best player by far, exchanged passes with Raheem Sterling to smash home an equaliser. But Bristol City defended well thereafter, shutting down space and reacting quickly to reach loose balls first; the expected onslaught never really materialised.

Then, though, with just one minute of injury-time remaining, Bernardo Silva curled into the box, Aguero stole away from Bailey Wright, and nodded home the winner. So the teams reconvene in two weeks, and both will fancy their chances of reaching the final.

What does Pep Guardiola do in the return? Though Sergio Aguero was not risked, City fielded a team good enough to finish the tie tonight. But they could not, and given how busy the next six weeks are, can they afford to risk their best players against a Championship side, when perhaps their reserves will suffice?

Aden Flint (Bristol City) A monstrous performance at the heart of the defence: commanding in the air, swift on the ground, composed when necessary and frantic when necessary.

Manchester City: Bravo 6, Zinchenko 6, Mangala 5, Stones 5, Danilo 6, Toure 5, Gundogan 5, De Bruyne 8, Bernardo 5, Sterling 6, Sane 5. Subs: Aguero 7, Walker 6.

Bristol City: Fielding 8, Wright 6, Flint 8, Baker 7, Magnusson 6, Bryan 7, Pack 6, Smith 6, Brownhill 7, Reid 6, Paterson 6. Subs: Walsh 6.

43’ - PENALTY TO BRISTOL CITY! Mangala is caught in possession by Brownhill as he tries to clear and a perfect pass is duly slid into Reid, who nips a touch away from Stones. Still, there's no need for Stones to go to ground and offer a leg, but he does, and that's a stonewaller!

44’ - GOAL! Manchester City 0-1 Bristol City (Reid) This penalty is just about good enough, hit low and firmly; Bravo dives over the top of it, and you what?! YOU WHAT?!

45+2’ - FLINT CLEARS OFF THE LINE - Amazing! Sterling touches off to Bernardo, takes the return, and as Fielding rushes out, lifts a shot over him ... and towards the net ... only for Flint to leap and crane his neck to head over the bar! Outstanding defending!

55’ - GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 Bristol City (De Bruyne) This is a very good goal, and has been coming. Bravo is allowed to pass the ball into midfield, setting De Bruyne away with nary a challenge to stop him. He then feeds Sterling on his outside, and rather than shoot or cross, Sterling fools the defence by disguising a back to De Bruyne, who duly smashes past Fielding.

69’ - FIELDING SAVE - What a save Fielding! It looks like not very much is going on, but then De Bruyne curls in low from the right, Sterling gets across Flint, and turns a first-time shot towards the near post. But FFielding is perfectly positioned and drops an arm to shovel away.

90+2’ - GOAL! Manchester City 2-1 Bristol City (Aguero) Finally, a ball Aguero can work with, Bernardo curling in as he runs off Wright to bump a header past Fielding.