Pearson’s Robins dig deep to grind out a much-needed home victory
BRISTOL City made it a forgettable return to Ashton Gate for former manager Dean Holden as Nigel Pearson’s side beat Stoke City 1-0 with a performance that their visitors have become well-known for.
Tyreeq Bakinson’s first goal of the season was enough to secure three points at home for the second time in three matches, thanks in part to the Potters ability to hit the woodwork rather than the net.
Stoke have become notorious for their long-throws and ugly football but found themselves beaten at their own game, failing to deal with a dogged Bristol team that played better against Blackburn for less reward.
Pearson, who made a point of asking for aggression once more, saw his side be too welcoming in the early stages, making a cold wintery night feel warm and cosy for their visitors.
By the time Michael O’Neill’s team had started the game the table had been laid and five-star, comfortable dining was in order, such was the simplicity of the away team’s subsequent control of the
game. The Potters were rapid to spring from the blocks, and veteran Steven Fletcher hit the post with his bundled header.
The warning signs had been set but City didn’t learn their lessons and while Stoke might have the fewest goals in the top six Joe Williams barely made them work for a second clear opportunity. The midfielder, who was the glue in midfield against Blackburn, massively undercooked his back pass and was bailed out by Bentley who denied Jacob Brown’s driven shot.
Early chances aside, the Robins grew into the game and were
denied a good shout for a penalty in their first true foray forward, Callum O’Dowda’s cross was deflected off Leo Ostigard’s hand before going out of play. The corner given wasn’t enough to satisfy the flock of onrushing red shirts that crowded referee Oliver Langford.
That lifted the home side who did manage to settle, though their miserly 33% share of the ball wasn’t helping to force any early wintery chills into the Stoke defence.
Tymon made the most of Alex Scott being used again as a makeshift wingback, and delicately nudged the ball through his legs and his cross was met by Fletcher. Beating the City captain for the second time, he was unable to move it inside the woodwork.
Totally against the run of play, Pearson’s men gave the old long throw specialists a taste of the of their own medicine.
Tomas Kalas’ mortar attack was flicked on by Chris Martin for Bakinson to tap in. Not pretty, but effective, the story of the day.
Allowing the hosts to gain a foothold should have been a paramount sin for O’Neill
The Robin’s tendency to drastically drop off has them second bottom in the table from minutes 46-90, meaning play-off chasing Stoke should not have needed to be at their best to peg Pearson’s struggling reds back.
And, as looked likely, forcing the second home victory of this season would not come easily for a Robins side that took 18 matches to get their first. Had James Chester got more on his clear header Stoke might have taken much more back to the bet365 Stadium than they left with.
Through Bentley’s bravery, Alfie Doughty’s slack conviction and Tyrese Campbell only hitting the side netting City had scraped their way to a narrow lead. Helped by a late Joe Allen red card, after his second yellow of the night, the Robins lived to see another day, just.