2002
City were on their way to the First Division title, but on this day in 2002 it was the FA Cup that concerned the Blues with a fourth round tie at Ipswich.
Their hosts were struggling in the Premiership at the time and City took full advantage at Portman Road, taking the tie 4-1 with two goals from Shaun Goater and one each from Eyal Berkovic and Darren Huckerby.
It was Berkovic’s strike that put Kevin Keegan’s side on the way, with the Israeli midfielder brilliantly latching on to a corner to smash in a volley from just outside the area.
2001
One year earlier it was another FA Cup win for the Blues, with Shaun Goater on the scoresheet to clinch a 1-0 win at home to Coventry.
Both sides were struggling in the top flight, and Coventry had come close to scoring early on when John Eustace struck the post.
But City hung on and Goater nodded a Tony Grant corner home deep into stoppage time at the end of the match to seal a spot in the last 16.
1973
Willie Donachie scored the first of just two goals in his long and distinguished career with City to give the Blues a 1-0 win at home to Birmingham.
The Scot was City’s first-choice left-back for much of the 1970s and played in excess of 300 games, but rarely troubled the scorers.
He went on to coach City alongside managers Joe Royle, a former team-mate at Maine Road, and Kevin Keegan.
Take us to Wembley!
City face Everton in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi final tonight, in what’s set to be a thrilling night of cup football at the Etihad.
Tickets are still available to buy online at mcfc.co.uk/tickets by telephone on
