Bristol City 0-1 Wolves: Wanderers reach FA Cup quarter-finals

Wolves overcame resilient Bristol City at Ashton Gate to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2003.

After a quiet opening, Ivan Cavaleiro stroked home the only goal with the game's first shot following good work by Matt Doherty down the right.

Bristol City improved markedly after the break and put significant pressure on the Wolves goal, going close through Jay Dasilva and Matty Taylor.

Despite frenzied late action in the Wolves box, they could not find an equaliser and the visitors held on to secure a place in the last eight as their impressive season continues.

The drama in added time was in sharp contrast to the game's sedate opening stages, with Wolves looking composed and seemingly on course for a comfortable win.

After going ahead through Cavaleiro they could have extended their lead further, going close through Doherty and Leander Dendoncker before half-time.

But whatever Robins boss Lee Johnson said at the break had a positive effect on his players as the Championship side improved dramatically after the break.

Dasilva wasted arguably their best opportunity when he blazed over when in space on the edge of the box before Wolves keeper John Ruddy did well to push away Taylor's deflected effort from close range.

Then in the last minute of added time, Robins keeper Fielding saw a shot saved by opposing counterpart Ruddy after going up for a corner.

It has already been a memorable season for Wolves, with the promoted side sitting seventh in the Premier League and on course for their highest top-flight finish since 1981.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side have been rewarded for their positive approach with draws at Arsenal and Manchester United as well as a 3-1 victory over Tottenham at Wembley.

Nevertheless, the trip to Ashton Gate had the look of a difficult tie as a result of Bristol City's impressive recent home form.

Although neither side could manage a shot at goal in the opening stages, Wolves always had a measure of control, with Dendoncker and Joao Moutinho particularly impressive in central midfield.

Most of their attacks went through Republic of Ireland right-back Doherty, whose influence grew as the half wore on.

The 27-year-old had been directly involved in all of Wolves' last four goals in the FA Cup this season, so it was perhaps no surprise he played a role in their opener.

Conor Coady's long pass found the full-back, who bundled his way past Dasilva before laying the ball off perfectly for Cavaleiro to finish from 12 yards.

Moutinho struck the bar with a free-kick after the break but the second period for the Premier League side was more about defending in the face of Bristol City pressure.

The scenes at the final whistle illustrated Wolves' relief at surviving the questions posed by the Robins - as well as no doubt excitement at how far they can go in the competition.

The last time Wanderers reached the last eight of the FA Cup as a top-flight club was in 1981, when they went on to reach the semi-finals.

Given their form this season, Nuno's side perhaps offer Wolves' best chance of a FA Cup victory since their last triumph in 1960.

With Bristol City well in the hunt for a play-off place in the Championship, this game against a top-flight club was the ideal opportunity to measure their progress.

The Robins went into the match on the back of nine successive wins and without a home defeat since early November, so manager Johnson will have been disappointed by their timid display in a first half during which they failed to muster a shot on target.

Johnson responded by bringing on Marlon Pack and Taylor at half-time and it sparked an immediate improvement, with the side showing the kind of form that has seen them beat five Premier League teams, including Manchester United, at Ashton Gate over the past 18 months.

In contrast to the first half, City managed 17 shots at goal after the break, but the fact only four of them were on target reflects a lack of composure at the crucial moment.

The Robins also had seven corners and put in 17 crosses from open play as they looked to level the tie.

While an equaliser did not arrive, Johnson will take encouragement from his team's second-half performance as they try to join their FA Cup opponents in the Premier League next year.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to BT Sport: "I'm very happy, it was very tough, but I'm happy for the fans and it was a moment of joy.

"We try to find solutions, but it was hard when they put so many behind the ball and with long balls into the box all the time.

"In the first half they gave us space, we had space and the chances to score, but then they changed it and they are a tough team.

On Matt Doherty: "He's fantastic, he has a big heart, he goes up and down and doesn't rest. He does an important job for us.

"We are very happy with him, it was a big challenge to prove himself in the Premier League and he is doing ever so well."

On who he wants to play next: "I would like to play at Molineux if I could ask for something."

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson speaking to Match of the Day: "I think we had the chances to pull it off. We just couldn't get it over the line.

"I was very proud of the second-half performance. We have to remember where we've come from. Wolves are seventh in the Premier League, so for us to perform the way we did in the second half after a very mediocre first-half performance - the boys deserve credit for that.

"We needed to apply more pressure [after half-time] so we changed our system a little. I thought we pegged them back in the second half.

"I'm hurting because we wanted to progress in the competition. But we showed our identity in the second half and there will be many more big games like that between now and the end of the season."

What's next?

Wolves return to Premier League action next Saturday against Bournemouth (15:00 GMT). Bristol City take on Championship leaders Norwich at the same time.