Phil Foden was the star man for City, scoring in each half before Kevin De Bruyne added a third in the closing stages.
It sees us to a fifth consecutive FA Cup quarter-final as Pep Guardiola continues his hunt for a second title in this competition.
While Bristol City had their moments, the stats show that we were dominant on the night at Ashton Gate.
We enjoyed a whopping 70% of possession, completing 629 passes compared to Bristol City’s 206 passes.
Our 16 shots generated an xG of 1.67 while the Robins had five shots for a total xG of 0.79.
Let’s take a look at the performance in more detail...
Fantastic Foden
Following a foot injury, Phil Foden was back in the side and close to his best against Bournemouth last weekend.
Guardiola elected to play the 22-year-old from the start again in this one and his impact showed that was the correct decision.
Our Academy graduate was the clear choice for Man of the Match, even if you look beyond his two goals.
In his 83 minutes on the pitch, he completed 52 passes but it was his crossing that was most dangerous.
Often wide on the left, he delivered four balls across the box that may well have found a man on another day - as his total of 0.57 expected assists proves.
His two goals - both back post finishes - did prove pivotal though.
With just two shots and a personal xG of only 0.51, he was clinical.
He now has 10 goals in the FA Cup and is the top scorer in the competition in our current squad, as well as the youngest player to reach double figures in the FA Cup in our history.
Quite separate from his stats, Foden also arguably produced the most jaw dropping moment when he took down a cross-field ball with both feet in the air and Bristol City’s George Tanner to contend with.
Back to front
All three of City’s goal had Pep Guardiola‘s stamp all over them.
Each of them came as the result of lengthy passing moves as the following graphics will demonstrate.
Phil Foden‘s opener (above), started with Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji working an angle before Ake fired a ball across for Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian found space for Riyad Mahrez, who crossed for Foden to sweep home.
The second goal was another long move that took on both flanks, starting on the right and moving to the left.
The real quality came from De Bruyne and Grealish out left with the former playing the pass of the match to find Ake in the box, who was pivotal in this attacking move too.
He squared for Alvarez who touched on to Foden to finish.
Finally, De Bruyne‘s curling finish from distance started all the way back with Ederson!
Our defenders played the ball between themselves before finding the perfect time to send it forward quickly via Grealish and then the scorer himself.
Given the combative nature of much of the match, each of these goals was an example of our superior quality on the night.
Kalvin’s strong showing
After injuries in the first half of the season and the magnificent form of Rodrigo, Kalvin Phillips has had to wait for his chance.
The England man was joined by Rico Lewis at the base of midfield for much of last night’s fixture.
As the below Heat Map shows, Phillips took control of the left while Lewis moved between the right channel and a conventional right-back slot.
The game was breathless early on as Bristol City attacked with energy and enthusiasm, buoyed by a crowd just as up for it.
However, Phillips was crucial in helping us to slow it down by getting his foot on the ball. He completed 68 of his 75 passes, which was the most of anyone outside our back three.
He was also decisive out of possession with eight recoveries, three clearances and two interceptions.
