Bristol City 'looked like the Premier League side' claims boss Lee Johnson after dramatic Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Manchester United

  • Bristol City scored a last-minute winner to shock Manchester United
  • Joe Bryan put the hosts ahead before Korey Smith stunned Jose Mourinho's side
  • The Championship side will play Manchester City in the semi-finals

It was a tale of two cities on Wednesday night, as Bristol City sensationally dumped Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 triumph — then drew Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in next month's semi-final.

Korey Smith's brilliant injury-time winnerfor the Championship team sparked wild scenes at Ashton Gate to KO Jose Mourinho.

'At times we looked like the Premier League side,' said jubilant City manager Lee Johnson.

Joe Bryan smashes the ball into the top corner to give Bristol City the lead on Wednesday

Joe Bryan smashes the ball into the top corner to give Bristol City the lead on Wednesday

Bryan is congratulated by a team-mate after giving the hosts a second-half lead at Ashton Gate

Bryan is congratulated by a team-mate after giving the hosts a second-half lead at Ashton Gate

'These boys will go down in folklore.'


Match-winner Smith added: 'It's unbelievable, I don't know what to say. We played brilliantly — like we have all season.'

Defender Joe Bryan believes self-confidence and belief carried them. Bryan gave City a 51st-minute lead but Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised shortly afterwards. 

Then, just when extra-time beckoned, Korey Smith was set free by Matty Taylor and smashed home the stoppage-time winner. 

Bryan told Sky Sports Football: 'We don't go into any game this season we think we're going to lose. I think we're full of confidence and belief in yourself. I think we showed that tonight.' 

But the 24-year-old full-back can remember little about his second goal in three games.

On trying to recall the goal, he added: 'I don't know. Honestly. It just broke and I hit it and it's gone in. I can't remember much until I see it again.

Lee Johnson celebrates as his side secure a last four spot in the Carabao Cup next month

Lee Johnson celebrates as his side secure a last four spot in the Carabao Cup next month

Korey Smith's late winner causes pandemonium in the stands and on the pitch

Korey Smith's late winner causes pandemonium in the stands and on the pitch

'Since we've (current crop of players) been playing here it's definitely the best night we've had.'

Smith was confident he could hurt United if he was just given the service.

He said: 'A few times I'd made runs in behind and I wasn't being tracked so I said at half-time to the boys, 'if I make that run look for me and I'll try and get that shot off''.

SEMI-FINAL DRAW 

Chelsea vs Arsenal

Manchester City vs Bristol City 

First-leg played week commencing Jan 8, second-leg week commencing Jan 22

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'Luckily Tayls (Taylor) made a great ball and it's gone in.

'I joined the club when we were in League One. We had three stands and obviously we had a great season. And the next year we were in and around the bottom of the (Championship) table.

'This year we've been absolutely brilliant. The younger players are developing and people are coming into their prime. 

'The stadium now is absolutely amazing. It's nice to give the fans a season they're enjoying so far.

'To be in the draw with three of the best clubs in the country. Everybody would have expected the top four teams in the country to be in the draw for the semi-final. It's just been unbelievable. 

'Four Premiership teams to get here. It's just absolutely amazing today.'

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho felt it was 'just another day at the office' for some of his team .

The matchwinner is mobbed by fans during a pitch invasion after the final whistle

The matchwinner is mobbed by fans during a pitch invasion after the final whistle

Mourinho said: 'They were a bit lucky but they fought a lot to be lucky. They won the game in a moment where we have no possibilities to react. So I have to say they were a bit lucky.

'In the first half we hit the post twice before they scored the first goal but they played brilliantly. They fought like this was the game of their life, which probably it was. 

'I think a beautiful day for football because a team from a lower division won and getting into a semi-final.

'A big day for them and a big day for their supporters so I congratulate to them. I don't want that I say they were a bit lucky to be the main thing of it. They main thing of it is that they won and they fought hard for that.

'In the first half we lacked intensity that they had and when I say intensity I say not just physical I say also mentally. For some of us was just one more day in the office. 

Jose Mourinho called Bristol City 'lucky' after their 2-1 win against his side

Jose Mourinho called Bristol City 'lucky' after their 2-1 win against his side

'Probably a day that some of them don't even want to come to the office and for the Bristol boys was a big, big day for them.

'In the second half after their goal we were the best team. We reacted well, the players had their pride. They tried to win the game in the 90 minutes and they were very lucky to have the goal in the last seconds. 

'I don't want the fact that I use the word lucky to be the most important thing. The most important thing is that the Championship team beat a club like Manchester United.

'And for therm a big night and in this club we know how to win and how to lose so we lose saying congratulations to them and good luck for the semi-final.'