The Bantams progressed to the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy with a 3-0 victory over Manchester City Under-21s.
Tyler Smith's first-half hat-trick, his first goals at the University of Bradford Stadium, sealed the victory in Kevin McDonald's final game in caretaker charge.
The Bantams got the first chance of the game, as a quick free-kick found Harry Chapman in behind the Man City defence, but his effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.
The hosts had broken the deadlock just 15 minutes, however, through Tyler Smith's first goal at Valley Parade.
A perfectly-weighted through ball from Rayhaan Tulloch was knocked beyond George Murray-Jones in the Man City net - Smith’s first goal from open play in claret and amber.
City would make it two in the 36th minute, as Smith doubled up for the night. A pinpoint ball from Daniel Oyegoke played Smith through to get his second of the evening, as he slid the ball under Murray-Jones.
City were pressuring their young visitors, and Smith was in the mood. Richie Smallwood played his former Hull City teammate through again just before the break. Smith did well to weave in and out of defenders but saw his shot saved.
The frontman was not to be denied for long, though, as from the resulting corner, Smith completed his hat-trick. Chapman floated a good corner into the six-yard box, and after a flick on to the back post, Smith tapped in for his third.
Man City rallied in their attempts to get back into the game after the break. Farid Alfa-Ruprecht was played clean through but his shot was blocked brilliantly by a lunging Ciarán Kelly.
The Citizens had another good chance approaching the 70th minute. Lively substitute Alfa-Ruprecht again drove towards the City goal but his effort smacked against the outside of the post.
A couple of Colin Doyle saves late on were enough to preserve his clean sheet, as City saw out the victory and booked their place in the next round.
CITY: Colin Doyle, Richie Smallwood (C) (Alex Gilliead 83’), Tyler Smith (Clarke Oduor 83’), Ciarán Kelly (Ash Taylor 83’), Harry Chapman (Bobby Pointon 45’), Daniel Oyegoke, Jon Tomkinson, Lewis Richards, Rayhaan Tulloch, Chisom Afoka, Freddy Jeffreys (Adam Wilson 65’). SUBS NOT USED: Harry Lewis, Brad Halliday.
GOALS: Smith (15’, 36’, 44’).
MAN CITY: George Murray-Jones, Jacob Wright (Mahamadou Susoho 62’), Will Dickson, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Kane Taylor (Farid Alfa-Ruprecht 41’), Max Alleyne, Tomas Galvez, Jaden Heskey, Matthew Henderson-Hall, Micah Hamilton (C) (Josh Adam 70’), Lakyle Samuel. SUBS NOT USED: Ezra Carrington, Justin Oboavwoduo, True Grant, Matthew Warhurst.
ATTENDANCE: 1,750 (with 83 travelling Manchester City fans).
