Sergio Aguero rescues Manchester City against valiant Bristol in League Cup

MANCHESTER: A goal in stoppage time by Sergio Aguero saved Manchester City's blushes as it was enough to secure a 2-1 win over second-tier Bristol City in their League Cup semi-final first leg clash on Tuesday.

The Argentinian's 19th goal of the season and a fine effort by Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne cancelled out Bobby Reid's first-half penalty to give the hosts a club record-equalling 16th successive home win.

However Bristol City, this season's giant-killers who have eliminated four Premier League sides including holders Manchester United, gave their 8,000 travelling fans -- the highest away attendance at the Etihad Stadum in its 15-year history -- much to cheer.

Manchester City went close to breaking the deadlock on the quarter-hour mark when a flowing move concluded with Bernardo Silva's goal-bound shot taking a deflection off a Bristol City defender.

The visitors, though, were not in the least intimidated and went close themselves immediately afterwards, Claudio Bravo saving Joe Bryan's long-range shot.

Bristol City -- appearing in their first major semi-final in 29 years -- were more than holding their own but a poor clearance saw De Bruyne force a good one-handed save from Frank Fielding as the hosts pressed for the opener.  

The hosts turned the screw as the half progressed forcing a series of corners but without the end reward. 

However, it was Manchester City who cracked in the 43rd minute as the shaky Eliaquim Mangala was dispossessed and John Stones made a rash challenge on Reid to concede a penalty.

Reid dusted himself off and although Bravo guessed the right way and got his fingers to the penalty, he was unable to prevent it going into the net for the scorer's 14th goal of the season.

Aden Flint ensured the Championship side went into the break 1-0 up when he produced a superb header to clear over his own bar as Raheem Sterling's shot looked destined to bring the sides level.

However, there was nothing the visitors could do about the equaliser in the 55th minute.

De Bruyne surged forward playing it to Sterling who laid it back to him and the Belgian rifled the ball into the net to provoke a sigh of relief from players and home fans alike.

Pep Guardiola decided to send on his only out-and-out striker Aguero for Yaya Toure with 20 minutes remaining and the club's record goalscorer did not disappoint, firing in the winner for a barely deserved victory.