LATE AGONY FOR ROBINS
NIGEL PEARSON’S SIDE DENIED FIRST HOME WIN SINCE JANUARY BY DANNY HYLTON’S STOPPAGE-TIME STRIKE FOR LUTON TOWN
BRISTOL City’s wait for a home win extended to 14 games after a disappointing draw with Luton at Ashton Gate after substitute Danny Hylton equalised in stoppage-time.
Nathan Baker’s first goal for two years had put City in front but another stoppage-time equaliser (the third that the Robins have conceded this season) cost them three points at home, again.
Although Luton hit the woodwork twice in the first half and were denied by a mixture of Dan Bentley heroics, Luke Berry’s open goal blunder and the paint on the post and crossbar, they couldn’t muster a second-half siege like the first, relying on a scrappy but priceless last-gasp goal.
A much-improved showing at both ends from City in the second half should have meant that after 232 days they could finally celebrate a home victory but Bentley’s late blunder meant the wait goes on.
Despite Nathan Jones’ men coming closest, the Robins themselves could and should have scored at least once by the break. Andi Weimann, Alex Scott and Cameron Pring all had chances which they couldn’t take.
Before the game Nigel Pearson called for his side to create more from wide positions and responded by bringing in Scott, a more natural fit for the wide right role. Although the 18 year-old should have scored, fluffing a good opportunity at the back post with his head from Pring’s searching cross, he was hooked before half-time.
The change was in response to the pressure asserted by Town, which should have brought about the opener. Although Harry Cornick was the chief orchestrator for the Hatters, it was ex-City midfielder Henri Lansbury, who made 16 appearances after joining City in January, who kick-started Luton.
His long-range effort was parried straight to Berry who, with the goal gaping and the away fans celebrating, could only miskick. Moments later, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu came even closer to scoring after his close-range stretching shot cannoned off the bar. Cameron Jerome then capped off an error-strewn minute with a header which he could only guide wide and harmlessly away from Bentley’s goal.
Luton, buoyed by their sudden spurt of chances, were no more lethal, with ex-Premier League striker Jerome unable to beat a seemingly helpless Bentley only for the goalkeeper to spring to the rescue and spread his body to stop an almost certain goal.
Unhappy with proceedings at both ends of the field, Pearson, again watching on from the stands, made a change. Jay Dasilva was brought on in place of Zak Vyner and he made an immediate impact. His left-footed cross was flicked on into the far corner by Baker, who was rewarded for a fine defensive performance with his first City goal since September 2019.
The defence’s hard work was undone late on though, Elijah Adebayo who had looked dangerous since his introduction, snuck the ball underneath Bentley for Hylton to smash home a painful equaliser. That goal meant the club are still yet to record back-to-back clean sheets under Pearson, with no consecutive shutouts for the side since November 2020.
Although City are now unbeaten in three and are continuing to show signs of visible improvement in performances, conceding late goals and not finishing matches off will continue to haunt Pearson after his side could have been four points better off after two matches this week. With a strong QPR side to face on Saturday, Bristol City will once more need to ensure that they are more clinical if they are to pick up any points in the capital. One defeat in five might be a foundation for Pearson to build on, but dropping points from winning positions isn’t a habit a team wants to allow to fester.