Bristol City manager Lee Johnson warns Manchester City that EFL Cup semi-final is not over

Lee Johnson struck a defiant note after seeing his Bristol City side defeated late on by Manchester City in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, insisting that the tie is not over for the Championship promotion contenders.

A well-organised display laced with a dash of counter-attacking threat was enough to see Bristol City take a surprise lead at the Etihad through Bobby Reid’s penalty on the cusp of half time.

City reasserted themselves after the break and soon levelled through Kevin De Bruyne but failed to break down Johnson’s resolute defence again until stoppage time, when Sergio Aguero rose to head home a winner.

That late goal means Bristol City will be firm underdogs when the two sides meet again at Ashton Gate later this month, but Johnson saw enough from his players to suggest that, after eliminating Manchester United in the previous round, another upset is possible.

“I’m very proud of my team, disappointed with the goal late on but I thought the boys were magnificent. Very, very proud of the club today,” he said. “It's only half time but we're still in this tie.

"I said to them: 'You've been fantastic’. We rode our luck but we broke and got men in the box. The pressing was amazing for the first goal. They can't be disappointed as we are still in the tie. They have shown the world we are good footballers.”

Johnson shared a word with his counterpart Pep Guardiola after the final whistle and revealed that the City manager was impressed with how the visitors had performed.

“Pep Guardiola said to me that we played better than most of the Premier League teams that come to Man City,” Johnson revealed. “We will take an awful lot from it and learn a lot. It is not over. It will be an interesting game at Ashton Gate.

“The away goal was very important. We tried to score and certainly didn't park the bus. The lads have to go home and think we can kick on form this performance.”