11-TRY VICTORY FOR THE BEARS
PLUS CITY’S LOAN SIGNING SCORES WINNER AND ROVERS TAKE A POINT ON THEIR TRAVELS IN YOUR 16-PAGE ROUND-UP GREEN UN INSIDE
Bristol City come from behind to beat Bolton and extend unbeaten run in all competitions to ten games
BRISTOL City went ten games unbeaten and within two points of the top six in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
Two goals in two minutes saw Lee Johnson’s side collect the three points at Ashton Gate but it wasn’t plain sailing for the high-flying Robins.
Momentum was almost punctured when Bolton went one up following Will Buckley heading in from close range after an error from Lloyd Kelly enabled Sammy Ameobi to capitalise on 57 minutes.
But Matty Taylor turned things around as he scored the equaliser and set up the winning goal for new man Kasey Palmer to bundle in from close range two minutes later on 66 minutes, to inflict a one-two double on the visiting Trotters.
City now move two points off the top six, while Wanderers stay in the bottom three - with Phil Parkinson’s side ultimately outplayed for much of the match.
Johnson left new loan signing Palmer on the bench as the Robins reverted back to the team who beat Stoke 2-0 on New Year’s Day in the league, following victory over Huddersfield in the cup.
There was no place for former Robins Mark Little or Gary O’Neil for the visitors however, who were on the back foot for much of the first half.
Famara Diedhiou made a nuisance of himself, spinning and shooting straight at Ben Alnwick in goal early on. Then Andreas Weimann had three sights of goal in the first period, twice volleying over before he ran across the top of the box to see his semi-blocked cross - as Pawel Olkowski got a foot in - clip the crossbar.
Callum O’Dowda offered cus- tomary spirit in midfield and also dragged a shot over the bar.
At the other end, Wanderers were mostly held at arm’s length and reduced to long-range efforts, as Ameobi sent in a daisy-cutter from 30 yards, while Mark Beevers threatened from a set-piece. Bolton’s Josh Magennis was booked for a late tackle on Marlon Pack.
After the break, the Robins were rampant without finding the net as they carved out four great chances in five minutes.
Adam Webster hit the crossbar from a corner and Diedhiou looked like he must pocket the rebound only to balloon over.
Shortly after, crosses from Jamie Paterson and O’Dowda went unconverted as the home side laid siege to the visitors’ goal.
However, Kelly then lost possession in a silly area of the pitch and Bolton took advantage. Ameobi crossed with venom and Buckley converted with his head from close range.
Ashton Gate was shocked such was the counter-punch.
The head coach responded with a triple substitution, however, and on came Taylor to change the game.
A twist and drill in at the near post caught Alnwick off guard before Taylor added to his goal with an assist.
Webster’s header from a corner was cleverly hooked back across goal by the former Bristol Rovers man and there was Palmer to head down and in via the call of referee Stephen Martin as Murphy tried to clear from the line.
Few chances came in the final 20 minutes but Magennis headed over and O’Dowda drove at the heart of the Trotters’ defence.
There were no more goals though