Bristol City out of the FA Cup in the 4th round replays
It means they'll not be hosting a Premier League giant in the last 16 at Ashton Gate
Last updated 7th Feb 2024
It was a tense match for Bristol City AND Nottingham Forest fans tonight - as a win in the 4th round replay of the FA Cup means a ticket to the last 16 - and a chance to take on Manchester United.
Just 12 days ago, the sides had to draw again - after a goalless match at Ashton Gate - and tonight, nearly 28,000 people made their way to the City Ground in the hopes of seeing their team make it through to the next round of the competition.
It was a strong start for both sides, with goals in the First Half by both Forest and City - with the Robins' Jason Knight clawing it back in the 14th minute after an early 8th minute goal from Divock Origi.
And looking at the stats - both sides really were hard to differentiate. Despite the hosts having slightly more possession, it was Bristol City with more shots at goal, and vitally, more shots on target.
The second half was a lot more eventless - however it wasn't any less eventful, with the game being taken well into added time over at the City Ground, with the referee adding four extra minutes to the 90 minutes of play.
City's Tommy Conway was also booked in the 59th minute, too, as he tried to prevent Morgan Gibbs-White from Forest from carrying the ball forward.
Once that was all over, the scoreline stayed 1-1 - which meant one thing for the sides: it was time for extra time - as there could only be one winner to make it through to the final 16.
Extra time was equally dramatic as the normal time play - with 'acrobatic' efforts by the Robins to keep them in contention to make it to the elusive 5th round of the FA Cup, which last year saw them beaten 3-nil by Manchester City.
A lot was at stake at this match, too, with a win to Round Five adding to the successful recent history of the club, having made it as far three times in the last five seasons.
City managed to stay in the game in the first half of extra time - with nothing separating them and Nottingham Forest.
The second half of extra time was equally as frustrating for both sides - and with good chances produced by all, it went straight to penalties.
And it was a solid effort by both teams - but with a final scoreline of 5-3 to the hosts, the Robins bowed out with a defeat at the second time of asking in the 4th round during this campaign.