DOUBLE TAMMY ROCKS BREWERS
But Lee’s not yet satisfied with side
AREPEAT of the Tammy Abraham late show was a welcome sight for Lee Johnson but the Bristol City boss insists his side are by no means the finished product after their smash-and-grab at Burton.
The Brewers will be wondering how they lost from this first-ever meeting between these two clubs, having dominated proceedings.
But they were given a lesson on how to counter-attack as Abraham, who sparked the Robins’ turnaround against Wigan last week and scored the cup winner against Wycombe, pounced.
The teenaged Chelsea loanee struck in the 95th minute after Brewers substitute Tom Naylor thought he had secured a share of the spoils.
“It has been a great start to the new season,” said Johnson. “The game had an element of smash-and-grab about it as we defended in depth for long periods but we stuck to our guns and it paid off.
“That said, we are nowhere near where I want us to be. I want to see us more tactically assured. It was far from easy as Burton took the game to us. At this level you have to get on the ball and use it in a creative way whilst ensuring you work hard off the ball.
“I’m looking to find a balance, some players are unlucky not to be in starting XI but there will be chances. I am delighted with the win and our start but we are not performing at the level I want us at – not yet.”
The home side dominated the first half but lacked the killer touch to trouble a Robins defence well marshalled by Aden Flint and Hordur Magnusson.
The nearest the Brewers came to opening their account was when Lloyd Dyer’s angleddrive flashed across the visitors goal and, a minute later, Kyle McFadzean’s searing low drive rippled the side-netting.
City soaked up the pressure and a minute from the break took an undeserved lead. On a rare forage forward the Robins won a corner, the home side failed to clear their lines and Abraham scrambled the ball home.
The Brewers continued to dominate in the second half, with City happy to defend. The lively Matty Palmer came close to an equaliser when his low drive from the left had Richard O’Donnell at full-stretch to finger-tip the ball to safety.
Undaunted, the home side continued to press and were rewarded in the 88th minute when Stuart Beavon’s cross from the left was rifled into the roof of the net by Naylor.
Burton’s joy soon turned to despair when Jonathan Kodjia’s cross from the right was bundled home by Abraham.
Burton boss, Nigel Clough, was understandably disappointed to see his side dominate without reward.
“It’s frustrating, but that is the Championship,” said Clough. “We have nothing to be frightened of. We have produced two very good performances, been the better side on both occasions, yet have nothing to show for it.
“We have to learn to turn performances into points and this is something we shall be working on this week.
“Their second was a killer goal. I thought there was a definite foul on Naylor but we are not getting the breaks. I have told the players there will be occasions when we turn in a below-par performance and get something, that’s football.”