Manchester City ended brave Bristol City's heroic Carabao Cup run to reach their third final in five seasons.

City survived a second-half fightback from 2-0 down by Championship City to eventually win 3-2 on the night and go through 5-3 on aggregate.

The Robins were chasing a fifth Premier League scalp after stunning Watford, Stoke, Crystal Palace and Manchester United to reach the last four.

But they were denied by the runaway Premier League leaders to leave Guardiola one win – against either Arsenal or Chelsea in next month's final - away from his first trophy as City boss.

Bristol City started the Ashton Gate second leg 2-1 down and were holding their own until left-back Hordur Magnusson's mistake led to Leroy Sane firing the visitors into a 43 minute lead.

Leroy Sane attempts to silence the crowd with Man City's opener (
Image:
PA)
Aguero celebrates scoring City's second (
Image:
AFP)

Aguero drilled home Kevin De Bruyne's perfect through ball four minutes after half-time to make it 2-0 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate.

The Robins were then given a glimmer of hope when Marlon Pack headed in Jamie Paterson's 64 minute cross after John Stones made a mess of a clearance.

And Aden Flint headed in Bobby Reid's knockdown in injury time to make it 2-2 on the night.

But City went up the other end and restored their two goal aggregate lead when De Bruyne tapped in from close range with the last kick of the game.

1. No messing about from Guardiola
Pep Guardiola keeps the intensity high as City win their way to Wembley (
Image:
REUTERS)

Pep Guardiola decided not to make the same mistake as Jose Mourinho against Bristol City and was duly rewarded.

While Mourinho made 10 changes to his side in losing here in the last round and lost Guardiola made just two.

With Oleksandr Zinchenko continuing at left-back Guardiola was only three players away from arguably his strongest side.

It was a statement of intent from Guardiola, who is chasing his first City trophy, before referee Graham Scott had even blown the first whistle.
Aden Flint levels for Bristol City in injury time (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
De Bruyne scores in the final minute as City leave it late again (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

2. Bristol City's approach

The Robin's approach has been refreshing in this competition and they have been rewarded by reaching the semi-finals.

They have been underdogs in the last five rounds but far from ground and scraped their way into the last four.

They have gone toe-to-toe with all their Premier League opponents and despite the gulf between these sides that helped make this a game worthy of being a semi-final.

As Pep Guardiola said after Lee Johnson's men gave his side a first-leg scare: “It’s a benefit to football and everyone when two teams take to the pitch and they want to play. Then we’re sure it’s going to be a good match.”

The late dramatics showed it was the same again in the Ashton Gate second leg.
Kevin De Bruyne supplied the sublime pass for the second (
Image:
REUTERS)
The Robins react to the sucker punch from Aguero's decisive strike (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
Marlon Pack gives the home fans something to celebrate as the Robins peg one back (
Image:
AFP)

3. The Robins' fall guy

It was all going so well until the 43 minute. Bristol City were still in the game, holding their own and offering a threat on the break.

But their determination to keep playing and patiently backfired. When Lee Johnson needed someone to plain and simply hoof the ball clear Hordur Magnusson instead tried to shepherd it out, was robbed and Leroy Sane ended up scoring.

Magnusson was clearly sticking to the plan but it was a costly mistake which all but ended the tie.

And the poor left-back was then hooked at half-time.
Pack gives Bristol City hope at 2-1 (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
A blue smoke bomb is thrown on the pitch in the second half (
Image:
Offside)

4. Alexis Sanchez made right call

If playing time was a key factor, Alexis Sanchez made the right decision to join Manchester United.

Up top Pep Guardiola has an embarrassment of riches in his Manchester City squad.

Two of City's attacking options, Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero, along with De Bruyne, got the goals that fired them into the Carabao Cup final.

Bernardo Silva was making what was just a rare start, Raheem Sterling was on the bench and Gabriel Jesus not involved due to injury.

Had Sanchez joined he would have just been one of many at City. At least at Manchester United he will be one of the main men.
Ashton Gate put on a show for their Premier League visitors (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

5. Quadruple is still on

Pep Guardiola dismissed the prospect and reckons a Manchester City quadruple is out of the question.

But with every victory it becomes more of a possibility.

The league is all but wrapped up and now they are in their first cup final of the season.

There is a long, long, way to go but all they can do is keep the possibility alive.

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PLAYER RATINGS BY ANDY DUNN

BRISTOL CITY

Steele 7 - Smith 6, Flint 8, Wright 7, Magnusson 5 (Baker 6, 46mins) - Brownhill 6, Pack 7, Walsh 6 (Diedhiou 6, 46mins), Bryan 7 - Paterson 7 (Kent 6, 73mins) - Reid 6.

Subs not used: Wollocott, Taylor, Engvall, Eliasson, Kent.

Booked:

MANCHESTER CITY

Bravo 6 - Walker 6 (Danilo NA, 85mins), Stones 5, Otamendi 7, Zinchenko 7 - Fernandinho 7, De Bruyne 9 - B Silva 7, D Silva 7, Sane 7 - Aguero 8 (Gundogan 6, 82mins).

Subs not used: Ederson, Kompany, Sterling, Mangala, Toure.

Booked: Fernandinho