Johnson pleased with Saints run-out

City scored through Niclas Eliasson and Callum O’Dowda in three, 45-minute sessions with Saints’ goals coming from Stuart Armstrong (twice) and Danny Ings.

Head Coach Lee Johnson was pleased with the run-out which saw Benik Afobe have more than an hour of game-time. It was the first involvement since his injury last September and the striker put himself into scoring positions but saw a penalty saved.

“It was a good physical and technical performance against Premier League opposition,” said Johnson.

“Things we have been working on in training came out and we created a good few chances. I was pleased with the tempo and the application of the players and it was an important step forward in our preparation.”

Eliasson’s goal came after Famara Diédhiou’s powerful run released Jack Hunt, whose cross eventually fell for the Swede, who picked out the top corner.

Jamie Paterson got the assist for the Robins’ second goal when he raced through and beat his marker, finding O’Dowda, who finished off from a closing angle.

Gallery: City in action on the south coast