Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Bristol City and Cardiff City at Ashton Gate as two goals from Chris Martin saw the Robins bounce back to prevail in the Severnside derby.
Saturday 22 January 2022 17:10, UK
Chris Martin netted a double as Bristol City came from behind to earn Severnside derby bragging rights with a 3-2 Championship win over Cardiff at Ashton Gate.
James Collins headed the visitors in front after 31 minutes from a cross by Tommy Doyle, who was gifted possession by a poor clearance from Han-Noah Massengo.
But the lead lasted barely a minute as Andreas Weimann broke through the centre of Cardiff's defence and when he was challenged the ball broke for Martin to level with a curling shot from 15 yards.
The inspired Martin was on target again after 63 minutes with a perfectly placed left-footed drive from the edge of the box after running onto an Antoine Semenyo pass.
Semenyo was also the provider when Weimann ran onto his pass to drill Bristol City's third from a narrow angle after 77 minutes, his 13th goal of the season.
Max Watters headed a 90th-minute consolation for Cardiff from a cross by fellow substitute Ryan Wintle, but it was too little, too late.
Robins manager Nigel Pearson named Rob Atkinson in the middle of a three-man back-line, with Massengo partnering Andy King in midfield.
Cardiff boss Steve Morison gave a debut to midfielder Doyle, on loan from Manchester City, while Aden Flint and Marlon Pack lined up against their former club.
The home side suffered an injury blow after just 16 minutes when Atkinson limped off to be replaced by Zak Vyner.
Mark McGuinness tested Robins goalkeeper Max O'Leary with a 14th-minute header and went closer four minutes later with another header that hit the outside of a post.
Pearson had to make a second change after 27 minutes when King gave way to substitute Jay Dasilva, who went onto the right flank with Alex Scott moving to central midfield.
Mark Harris had a 25-yard shot saved by O'Leary before the two goals in quick succession lifted an already vibrant atmosphere.
The best other effort before the break came from Martin, who had a 43rd-minute header cleared off the line from a Callum O'Dowda cross.
Neither side could fashion chances at the start of the second half until the 60th minute when Semenyo's fierce drive was saved by Cardiff goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
After Martin's second goal, Semenyo had a shot blocked following a strong Weimann run and then ended a swift break out of defence with another effort that struck the outside of the near post.
The young striker was having an increasing influence and out-muscled his marker to set up Weimann's clincher.
Watters' goal stretched Robins nerves in four minutes of stoppage time, but O'Leary saved a Ralls free-kick and Semenyo hit a post for the second time on the break from the last effort of an exciting game.
Bristol City's Nigel Pearson: "Chris Martin comes in for some criticism at times, but he is a team player, who is good for us at both ends of the pitch. He took his goals really well and he deserved them for the amount of work he puts into games. All our front players caused Cardiff problems. There was real pace to our attacks and we looked really dangerous. Antoine is learning and developing his game this season. He must be very tough to play against because he is strong, as well as quick.
"We had to make two early changes because of injuries to Rob Atkinson and Andy King, but adapted to those setbacks really well. Han-Noah Massengo has made a big error for their first goal. But he also responded positively and had a good game. It would be nice if we could see games out a bit better at the end. But other than that, I can't have any complaints because my players gave everything. Our fans have gone home happy and I think they can see that every player is working for the side. We are making progress."
Cardiff's Steve Morison: "The second half was the worst 45 minutes I have had watching from the touchline. We were out-fought and out-battled, which frustrated and hurt me. They wanted it more. In the first half hour, we did well and got a goal from the sort of thing we have been working at on the training ground all week. Tommy Doyle has quickly shown his quality with the cross and James Collins anticipated it to put us in front.
"Then we hit the self-destruct button within a minute. We ask the players to stay calm and relax on the ball and they weren't capable of doing it. We are a team and we didn't defend well as a team. We have been through the goals already and there were lots of bits that weren't good about them. We were still in it at half-time and let ourselves down from then on. We have to be better than that. The players need to do what they did in the first 30 minutes for 90 minutes and take individual responsibility for their performances. There won't be a knee-jerk reaction because up until today we have not been bad. But there is work to do."
