JET Pleased To Make Up For Donny No Show

Steve Cotterill had earlier deemed the second date with Donny “punishment” for his players, who were strangely off-colour in the 1-1 draw at the Keepmoat Stadium.

But man in form Emmanuel-Thomas fired both goals as City secured a 2-0 victory on home soil, and a fourth round tie with Premier League opponents West Ham United in the process.

“It was a great evening for the boys after the disappointing game at their place. To come back here and perform like that was good,” the two-goal hero told Bristol City Player, speaking before West Ham had finished off third round opponents Everton.

“We knew what we would get if we won the game and we’ve just been sitting in the dressing room watching the extra time of the other game, so it’s a good feeling to know what we’ve got to look forward to.”

Emmanuel-Thomas’ goals were contrasting in style. The first a close-range header at the end of a goalmouth scramble; the second a typically-composed finish at the end of a swift counter-attack.

“I was on the goalie and the ball doesn’t tend to come to me too much in that position,” he said of the opener.

“But it just bounced up for a fifty-fifty header, basically on the goal line, so I knew if I made contact with it I was going to score.

“It (the second goal) was great work from Marlon Pack breaking forward and the run from Matt Smith took the other defender away to leave me one v one.

“Once I went past him, the keeper and the other defender got in each other’s way, so I just took it on one more touch and slotted it home.”

The forward has now started City’s last five games in all competitions, contributing three goals and three assists in that time, having played a more peripheral role up until Christmas.

“The boys have been really supportive of me the whole time, even if I’ve not been in the squad or coming on as substitute,” he added.

“We’re together so much that we all know each other’s weaknesses and strengths.

“Even if you’re not starting, you know exactly what your team-mates can and can’t do, which makes it a lot easier when you do get thrown in at the deep end.”

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