📝 Report: Bristol City 2-1 Middlesbrough

Andi Weimann and Antoine Semenyo’s goals either side of half-time were enough to see Nigel Pearson’s men over the line on a day that the club paid tribute to the Ashton Gate Eight in a 40th anniversary appreciation parade.

🧐 BACKGROUND

Nigel Pearson made three changes from the team that started against Swansea City as the Robins went into the game in search of that fourth home win in a row.

Dan Bentley returned in place of Max O’Leary and took back the captaincy from Andreas Weimann.

Joe Williams and Sam Bell came into the team in place of Zak Vyner and Cam Pring.

✍️ WHAT HAPPENED?

Prior to kick-off Ashton Gate paid tribute before kick-off to the Ashton Gate Eighth, who agreed to tear their contracts up to prevent the club from going into extinction forty years ago.  

City took the lead early on when Semenyo out-muscled Marcus Tavernier on the byline before pulling the ball back for Weimann to hammer home.

Matt Crooks saw his half-volley blocked by Timm Klose after the ball had fallen nicely to him on the edge of the area.

Middlesbrough broke in numbers as Tavernier’s dangerous ball across the box evaded everyone.

Han-Noah Massengo’s back pass was short and Aaron Connolly found himself one-on-one with Dan Bentley, but could only find the side netting with his shot.

Paddy McNair saw his shot deflect off of Alex Scott and sail over the bar after a neat passage of play from Boro.

Tavernier was again involved when his shot from close-range was blocked heroically by Joe Williams.

Folarin Balogun teed up Tavernier to shoot from a tight angle in the first action of the second period, but Bentley made a good save to deny Boro an equaliser.

It was roles reversed as Tavernier slipped Balogun in behind, but Bentley was at hand again to deny the visitors’ attempt.

⏱ HALF-TIME

Sam Bell, starting for the first time this season at wing-back, whipped a pinpoint cross towards Weimann, but the Austrian could only direct his header into the gloves of Joe Lumley.

Balogun picked up the ball in a dangerous position again but his tame effort was held comfortably by Bentley.

City got their second when Semenyo picked up the ball on the edge of the area and slotted a left-footed shot into the bottom corner to continue his fine form.

Bentley denied the visitors again at the other end, getting down well to his right to palm Connolly’s effort behind.

Riley McGree tested Bentley from range with a fierce effort, but the City skipper was once again equal to it.

Massengo did well to skip past two and keep hold of the ball under pressure, but he couldn't trouble Lumley with his shot.

The young Frenchman then fired a ball into the box for Semenyo, who went agonisingly close to extending City’s lead with an audacious backheel, only for his effort to go just over the crossbar.

Middlesbrough got a consolation when Tavernier’s corner was headed in at the back post by Crooks, but City held on for a valuable three points.

Report by Kory Cook

🏃‍♂️TEAM

Bentley, Dasilva, Kalas, Klose, Bell (Pring 65), Scott, Massengo, Williams (Cundy 80), Weimann, Martin, Semenyo.

Subs (not used): Wiles-Richards, Conway, Vyner, Wells, Benarous