Lee-way for Robins
LEE JOHNSON admitted a strong sense of relief after goals from new signings Adam Nagy and Benik Afobe got Bristol City’s season up and running.
Hungary international midfielder Nagy, recruited from Bologna, netted with a sweet half-volley, from just inside the box on 35 minutes, after Afobe’s aerial challenge had seen the ball drop to him.
And Stoke loanee Afobe capped an impressive home debut by volleying in from Andreas Weimann’s pass, 14 minutes into the second half, following a gaffe from QPR keeper Joe Lumley.
“It wasn’t the perfect performance by any means,” said Johnson. “But there were a lot of things that pleased me and plenty to build on.
“All managers are relieved to get the first win on the board and that is my overriding emotion.
“Rangers are a good side and I’m pleased we took our chances and defended so strongly against them.
“Adam had to come off at half time because of an ankle problem he suffered when making a great recovery run.
“We don’t think it is serious, and it was great for him and Benik to get off the mark for us.
“Our fans got right behind them and the team, so I’m delighted to have rewarded them with a win.”
The Hoops forced only one outstanding save from Dan Bentley, who had to dive at full stretch to tip over Jordan Hugill’s second-half header.
Rangers boss Mark Warburton was not interested in hard-luck stories after seeing his side fail to capitalise on periods of dominance.
“It was a game we must learn from,” he said. “It’s no good having a lot of possession, if you are not clinical enough in the final third of the pitch.
“We created chances, without having the necessary edge to our finishing.
“On numerous occasions, we got into good areas without maximising it.
“Two individual errors have cost us, but I felt we were very good for periods of the first half and the home fans went quiet.
“We knew Lee would have his side whipped up after we beat them on penalties in midweek and we dealt with it really well.
“The result reads 2-0, but there will be days when we win 1-0, knowing we have been poor and fortunate.
“Today it is the other way around.” BRISTOLCITY QPR 3 ........ Shots on Target ......... 2 3 ........ Shots off Target .........8 3 ................Corners .................6 11 .................. Fouls ................... 11 1 ................ Offsides ................ 0 74.1 ... Passing Success ...80.3 340 ...... Total Passes ........ 436 43.8 .......Possession ........ 56.2 44.3 . Territorial Adv%... 55.7