MANNING’S RELIEF AS ROBINS SHOCK BORO
LIAM Manning praised Bristol City’s players for delivering a first league win of 2024 just days after coming through 120 minutes of FA Cup action.
Despite losing on penalties at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, the Robins were able to bounce back with a much-needed win at Middlesbrough.
Jason Knight’s cool finish in the 16th minute after he had been put through by Lukas Engel put Bristol City in charge. And less than two minutes later, Matty James fired in the second in off a post following a misplaced Hayden Hackney pass.
Boro couldn’t find a way back, despite pulling one back in stoppage-time when Finn Azaz’s effort deflected in off Sammy Silvera.
Manning, whose side hadn’t won in the league since Boxing Day, was relieved to finally see his side claim three points.
He said: The fact we found a way to win in a variety of ways is something to learn from. I made two changes early second half too because I felt energy was going to be important. “We played 120 minutes on Wednesday, plus the travel, it has been a relentless programme for us. We came here with no excuses and you have to max out. I enthe
joyed it. The first-half plan worked. The players did a terrific job in implementing it. We knew they would have a lot of possession and we were happy to give them it in front of us.”
The Robins were quick to make an impression.
George Tanner had already volleyed into the arms of goalkeeper Tom Glover, who had also done well to dive to his right to deny Harry Cornick from hitting the opener soon after. The only time Middlesbrough threatened during first half was when Hackney couldn’t bring the ball down quickly enough when he was picked out by Luke Ayling.
City’s quickfire double came along shortly after. Defender Rob Dickie picked out Knight with an incisive through pass. With just Glover to beat, Knight spun away from the goalkeeper before finding the net.
Within two minutes Bristol City were two up. Hackney was at fault for gifting possession to James and the visitors’ captain fired in off a post from 20 yards.
Hackney tried to make amends 14 minutes later when his effort from 25 yards curled away from the far post, with goalkeeper Max O’Leary diving to cover.
But City should have been three up before the break. Cornick’s excellent run and pass from inside his own half put Sam Bell clear. Rather than round Glover, Bell tried to beat him with a shot and the goalkeeper was big enough to thwart.
Middlesbrough tried different things but Manning’s men defended well. O’Leary also had to make another strong save to stop Rav van den Berg’s 25-yard drive from flying in.
The home side did pull one back in stoppage-time when Azaz’s shot hit the back of substitute Silvera before bouncing in.