Andi twists the knife in
ADAM LANIGAN
BRISTOL CITY boss Nigel Pearson praised the “desire” of leading scorer Andreas Weimann as the ex-derby man came back to kick his old club when they are down.
The Austrian struck his 20th goal of the season and set the Robins on the way to a rare away victory.
It has not been a vintage campaign for Pearson’s side, but Weimann has been the star turn.
“It’s a careerbest for Andi, which is incredible really,” said Pearson.
“That is a testament to his professionalism and his desire, and his work ethic is just incredible.
“I’m really pleased for him, especially off the back of last season where he spent a long time out injured.
“So to have a season like this on his return, in a difficult season for us, is great.”
Weimann has been deadly in front of goal and he showed why after 10 minutes as Curtis Davies slipped, Chris Martin put him clear, and he raced through to score. Davies’ afternoon nearly went from bad to worse as he sent a back-pass racing past Ryan Allsop, with the goalkeeper having to dash back to clear off his line.
It was obviously catching, though, as centre-back partner Richard Stearman was at fault for the second.
He dwelt on the ball and was robbed by Antoine Semenyo, who finished clinically into the bottom corner.
Polish striker Bartosz Cybulski, handed his first start by Rams boss Wayne Rooney, should have reduced the deficit but he headed over from four yards.
They did pull one back just past the hour mark as Craig Forsyth arrived to head in Malcolm Ebiowei’s cross at the back post.
But a first City goal from big Swiss centre-back Timm Klose settled the game when he headed in a free-kick from Matty James. It was a sobering day for the relegated Rams, who had made six changes with an emphasis on youth.
But first-team coach Justin Walker insisted it was a useful exercise as they start planning for life in League One.
“We were looking at the character and the temperament of some of these players in tackling this environment,” he said.
“It might not be for today but we are looking at building that as part of what the task is for next season.”
DERBY COUNTY: Allsop 6; Byrne 6, Stearman 5, Davies 5, Forsyth 7; Bird 6 (Knight 82), Thompson 5 (Plange 59, 5); Ebiowei 7, Morrison 6, Watson 5 (Robinson 82); Cybulski 5 (Sibley 59, 4).
Subs not used: Roos, Buchanan, Richards.
BRISTOL CITY: Bentley 6; Cundy 6, Klose 7, Atkinson 6; Scott 4 (Bell 23, 5; Massengo 77), James 6, Williams 6 (King 87), Benarous 5 (Idehen 72, 4); Weimann 8; Semenyo 7, Martin 6.
Subs not used: O’leary, Wells, Conway.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Where would the Robins be this season without Andreas Weimann’s goals?
REFEREE: Thomas Bramall 6.