Diedhiou’s ‘revenge’ goal sets up smash-and-grab victory
Talking points from Bristol City’s Championship defeat against Birmingham, by Adam Goodwin
THE long wait for a Robins win at St Andrew’s is finally over. Famara Diedhiou’s perfectly-planted second-half header was the difference in a game which will be remembered for just two things.
The first, City ending a 25-year winless streak against their bogey team on the road. The second, becoming the first team to beat Birmingham on their own patch this season.
In a game of few opportunities and incidents of note, this was a real smash-and-grab victory.
Substitute Callum O’Dowda sent in a pinpoint delivery from a 63rdminute corner and Diedhiou, the man who was banned for a spitting incident against the same opponents last season, headed past Lee Camp.
There were scares along the way as Blues threatened an equaliser. Lukas Jutkiewicz hit the post late on and Che Adams twice saw appeals for penalties waved away.
There was even a stoppage-time free-kick from Lukas Jutkiewicz that was well saved by Niki Maenpaa, before wild celebrations in the away end – the Robins’ travelling support on the day numbered 1,300 – met the final whistle.
Head coach Lee Johnson said in the week that his side were just a ‘sprinkle of magic’ away from getting it right.
And, although this was by no means a vintage performance, it was an incredibly hard-earned victory as the Robins’ defensive unit stood strong during Birmingham’s late onslaught.
Crucial away win
CITY secured back-to-back away wins for just the second time in over a year and the win lifts them to 13th in the Championship table.
The Robins were also the first team to win at St Andrew’s this season – something play-off chasers Norwich City and West Brom have failed do.
City’s next four away games are against Derby County, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough, and Johnson will be hoping to carry this good away form into that tricky sequence of matches.
Diedhiou returns to B9 AFTER being banned for six games for alleged spitting at St Andrew’s last season, Diedhiou was looking for revenge as he returned to the scene of the incident.
It was clear to see that the Senegalese striker was getting frustrated and giving away silly fouls throughout the first half. But he headed in what turned out to be the winning goal just after the hour mark to make it a happy return to the sta- dium. When asked if his ban would have driven Diedhiou on, Johnson said: “I wouldn’t say he’s extra motivated, because he’s always motivated to score goals. I’m sure he would have kept it in there (pointing to his heart).”
Referee in the spotlight THE referee was under major scrutiny after Saturday’s game, and Birmingham manager Garry Monk was particularly unhappy with the penalties his side were denied.
He said: “Maghoma’s is clear – the first one. Then, the second one, Che is pushed to the ground inside the area. The third one, there’s contact. We were told the ref said he has gone down too easily, but there is contact.
“The margins on the pitch went for them, clear decisions went against us. Those things are out of our control. That’s why I feel so frustrated for the players.”
Fortunately for the Robins, the game went in their favour, and maybe that bit of luck is what they need to climb the table over the busy Christmas period.
Kelly’s Liverpool link
CITY academy product Lloyd Kelly has been linked with Premier League giants Liverpool this week, and the 20-year-old had a solid game at left-back on Saturday.
He was booked early on in the game after an incident that saw Maxime Colin collide with the advertising hoardings, but he managed to stay out of trouble for the remainder of the match and help Johnson’s men keep a precious clean sheet.
The England Under-20 captain bombed up and down the left flank throughout the game and deliveries some nice crosses for Diedhiou and Andi Weimann.
But did he do enough to impress his potential future boss Jurgen Klopp?
Tough Christmas period
THE Christmas period is always tricky in the Football League, but the Robins have a particularly tough run over the next month.
They face league leaders Norwich City, play-off contenders Derby County and recently-relegated Stoke City, along with relegation candidates Rotherham.
This could be a make-or-break period for the Robins, and they will be looking to pick up as many points as possible from that difficult sequence of games to cling on to any play-off ambitions they may have.