Fantastic Phil Foden helps seal FA Cup progress at Ashton Gate

Foden opened the scoring with a powerful close-range finish in the seventh minute after patient play from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahez, the latter firing a ball through the penalty area, allowing the England star to fire home at the back post. .

Yet where many teams, even in the Premier League, would have faltered, Robins roared to make it a breathless 45-minute opener. Alex Scott and Sam Bell in particular stood out as the home side looked to expose a high back line in front of raucous home support.

Midfielder Scott has been linked with moves to the Premier League of late and, if it was his audition, he will certainly be handed the role soon. The 19-year-old was excellent all evening, exerting the kind of fearlessness on the ball that wouldn’t seem out of place in a Pep Guardiola side.

While Guardiola’s side limited their Championship opponents to a few forays into their box, Mark Sykes may have been unlucky to have had a penalty claim so easily dismissed in a collision with Rico Lewis as he headed for goal.

After the break, the anxiety caused by a one-goal lead was evident. The away team of course dominated the ball, although the hosts still looked dangerous at the break and would have leveled the scores if Andreas Weimann’s cross had been played past Bell, who could not direct it towards goal at close range.

Yet as Bristol City grew, Man City struck. A delicious ball from De Bruyne freed Nathan Ake, who in turn played it to Foden and his shot was deflected past goalkeeper Max O’Leary by Zak Wyner.

Minutes later, De Bruyne fired in a brilliant third to wrap up the victory.

The past few months have been difficult for Foden, who has struggled since the World Cup. Obviously there will be tougher tests ahead but, after scoring two goals at Bournemouth on Saturday, the signs would at least suggest things are looking up.

With the Premier League and Champions League still to play, it’s a worrying prospect.