Bristol City will be taking its fantastic goal GIFs straight to the Carabao Cup semifinals, joining Premier League giants Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal after knocking off defending champion Manchester United on Wednesday.
A 2-1 victory in the Bristol City vs Man U quarterfinal spurred remarkable scenes at Ashton Gate, with local fans storming the field and one man even giving a kiss to match winner Korey Smith.
I’m not surprised that Bristol City beat Man Utd after employing this formation. pic.twitter.com/9JCpmSQHWS
— Limpar33 (@Limpar33) December 20, 2017
It was a huge upset for Bristol City against a Manchester United side that fielded the star power of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku. It was City’s first win over United at Ashton Gate in 43 years, but huge plaudits must be given, once again, to the Bristol City social media crew and the club’s amazing goal GIFs. Yet again, the GIFs did not let us down.
The home side took an unlikely lead in the 51st minute when Joe Bryan hit a lightning bolt past United keeper Sergio Romero.
Bryan also killed it on the accompanying goal GIF.
GOAL: #BristolCity 1-0 Manchester United, Bryan 51. #BRCvMUN pic.twitter.com/RQqmWg6dPN
— Bristol City FC (@bcfctweets) December 20, 2017
But Manchester United equalized seven minutes later thanks to Ibrahimovic, who was making his first start after an eight-month injury layoff.
In what proved to be a foreshadowing of things to come, Manchester United’s goal GIF for the Zlatan strike was downright pathetic compared to Bristol City’s effort.
58' - GOOOOAAAAALLL! @Ibra_official scores - it's #ZlatanTime! pic.twitter.com/txPF40VfSh
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 20, 2017
With the game looking like it would head to extra time, Smith struck a late winner in the 93rd minute, sparking delirium amongst the home supporters.
And, of course, Smith’s GIF game was on point.
GOAL: #BristolCity 2-1 Manchester United, Smith 90. #BRCvMUN pic.twitter.com/tVNEwCOaiE
— Bristol City FC (@bcfctweets) December 20, 2017
Based on goal GIFs alone, Bristol City clearly deserved to win the match.
Afterword, the semifinal draw put Bristol City against Manchester City and Chelsea against Arsenal. The semifinals will be two-legged affairs, with the first legs to be played on Jan. 9 and 10. We can’t wait to see what GIFs Bristol City pulls out in the new year.