City were guilty of diabolical defending as they crashed to a shock home defeat at the hands of Doncaster Rovers. Out-gunned by opponents who were permitted to win as they liked, the Robins suffered a humiliation every bit as painful as that inflicted by arch rivals Cardiff, who won 6-0 at Ashton Gate in January. This latest setback will hurt more because it was so unexpected. Unbeaten in three games and back in the top half of the Championship table, City came into this game with renewed confidence. But that evaporated during a calamitous first half in which they shipped four goals and resembled startled rabbits in headlamps.
Bristol Evening Post
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas starred for Doncaster as they eased to a thrilling victory at Ashton Gate. Emmanuel-Thomas, on loan from Arsenal, and Billy Sharp both scored twice, but were outdone by City's Bradley Orr who scored three - including an own goal. Delighted Doncaster boss Sean O'Driscoll said: "Jay suits our style of play perfectly and it is quite something for a club like us to attract a player from Arsenal. I'm so pleased to have him and hopefully we can help him make progress. He has work to do on his play off the ball, but at this stage he could be anything."
Sunday Mirror
Gary Johnson tore into his flops after they were humiliated by a five-star Rovers show. Abject City were hit for six at home by Cardiff back in January. And it could have been double figures this time, as the visitors' on-loan Arsenal starlet Jay Emmanuel-Thomas inspired them to a crushing victory. The supremely talented 19-year-old scored twice and left Johnson seething at his side's dreadful defensive showing. City's stunned boss said: "I thought we were poor but it was one of those days when every time they attacked they looked dangerous."
News of the World
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas starred for Doncaster as they eased to a Coca-Cola Championship victory over Bristol City at Ashton Gate. Emmanuel-Thomas was on the scoresheet twice, as was Billy Sharp, for the visitors while Bradley Orr scored the City goals before rounding off the scoring with an own-goal.
Mail on Sunday
