Bristol City vs Queens Park Rangers. Sky Bet Championship.
Ashton GateAttendance19,543.
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Bristol City and QPR at Ashton Gate as goals from Charlie Austin and Yoann Barbet cancelled out Alex Scott's opener to seal victory for Mark Warburton's men
Thursday 30 December 2021 23:00, UK
Yoann Barbet's stoppage-time header gave QPR a 2-1 Championship win at Ashton Gate over a Bristol City team reduced to 10 men.
The defender connected perfectly with a near-post header from Stefan Johansen's right-wing corner to send travelling fans behind the goal into ecstasy.
It was rough justice on City, who were depleted from the 56th minute when midfielder Andy King was shown a second yellow card for pulling back Johansen, having already been booked for dissent over a first-half penalty award.
The hosts had taken just three minutes to go in front, teenager Alex Scott firing home from inside the box with the aid of a deflection off Rob Dickie after a strong run from Andreas Weimann.
But Rangers hit back in first-half injury time when Cameron Pring brought down Luke Amos and Charlie Austin made no mistake in firing the resulting spot-kick past Max O'Leary.
City boss Nigel Pearson made five changes to the side beaten by Huddersfield on their last outing, including one in goal where O'Leary replaced skipper Dan Bentley, with Matty James taking over as captain.
Injury-hit Rangers were able to name only five substitutes and soon found themselves under heavy pressure, which was rewarded by Scott's goal.
It was almost 2-0 after 11 minutes when Antoine Semenyo fed Callum O'Dowda on the left and raced into the box to meet his cross with a clever near-post flick, saved by Seny Dieng.
Seconds later Semenyo miscued a volley from another O'Dowda cross, sending the ball wide from six yards.
O'Dowda was wreaking havoc on the left and set up another chance for James, whose shot was too close to Dieng.
Rangers weathered the storm and produced their first effort of note with 29 minutes gone when Austin fired over from distance after turning past Zak Vyner.
But the visitors could count themselves fortunate to be on level terms at the break. City disputed the penalty, but Pring went to ground and referee Andy Davies was well placed to make the decision.
Rangers began the second half on the front foot and Lee Wallace had his goal-bound volley blocked by a brave James header.
King's dismissal for a clear foul was a poor error by such an experienced player and Rangers boss Mark Warburton reacted by sending on Lyndon Dykes for Wallace.
City responded well to the setback and the 10 men enjoyed a period of pressure. But Rangers began to look increasingly dangerous and O'Leary saved well from Chris Willock.
Pearson's men fought tenaciously to try and secure a point, but were left to rue moments of indiscipline and not capitalising more on their early pressure when Barbet struck late on.
Bristol City's Nigel Pearson: "I thought we were excellent for much of the game and I am not going to be too critical of the players over losing because they gave it all they had. The challenge for the penalty was rash and unnecessary, but the naivety of the referee at times was incredible. I wasn't aware at half-time that Andy King had been booked. But even after he was sent off, we played some decent stuff and looked like scoring.
"With them playing three at the back and us four, we felt before the game that we could threaten them in wide areas and that proved the case. To be fair, it was a great header for the winning goal and overall I am pleased with the way we played. The players showed the right attitude in the way they competed and I can't ask for more in that respect."
QPR's Mark Warburton: "It was a great header by Yoann and for the ball to go in right in front of our travelling supporters made it even more special. To be honest, we were second best in the first half and paid for a slow start. We conceded a sloppy goal and deserved to for the way we began the game. The penalty gave us a boost just before the interval and the second half was much better.
"We were positive when they went down to 10 men and created chances without taking them. For a while it seemed it was not going to be our night. But scoring a late winner like that has given everyone a lift. We showed the necessary endeavour, spirit, fight or whatever you want to call it to get back into the game and I am delighted to have sent our fans home happy."
