BRISTOL (Reuters) - Phil Foden’s brace eased Manchester City to a 3-0 victory over second-tier Bristol City as they moved into the FA Cup sixth round but Leicester City’s hopes of repeating their 2021 triumph were dashed.
Foden struck in the seventh minute but it was not an entirely comfortable night for Pep Guardiola’s side until the England forward’s deflected effort made it 2-0 late on.
Kevin De Bruyne then gave the scoreline an emphatic look with a sublime finish from 25 meters although it was harsh on Bristol City who had been on a 12-match unbeaten run and pushed the Premier League champions hard.
Leicester were booed off after a 2-1 home defeat by second-tier Blackburn Rovers for whom Tyrhys Dolan and Sammie Szmodics were on target before a Kelechi Iheanacho reply.
Fulham reached the sixth round for the first time in 13 years with superb goals by Joao Palhinha and Manor Solomon earning them a 2-0 win over fellow top-flight side Leeds United.
Brighton and Hove Albion’s hopes of a first ever major trophy remained intact as Evan Ferguson’s first-half goal sealed a 1-0 win over second-tier Stoke City.
Guardiola named a strong side, as he invariably does in domestic cup competitions, and City began the game in dynamic style with Kalvin Phillips hitting the crossbar.
City did not have to wait long to take the lead though with Foden firing high into the roof of the net from Riyad Mahrez’s pass across the face of goal.