Match Report: Smash and grab City prove form not football counts

[Olé]

Stoke will play worse and win. City will play far better and won't. Thus unfolded the latest early chapter in a Championship season that promises very different fates for both teams - and for Johnson's men is starting to gather an unerring momentum.

The struggling hosts played well and were worth at least a point, but City, who failed to capitalise on Joe Allen's early red card for a wreckless clattering challenge on Josh Brownhill, rode their luck and stole the win through two wicked Hunt crosses.

Captain Brownhill was outstanding in a far deeper role at the heart of City's midfield, but robbed of Afobe, Diedhiou was static and Palmer bereft of passing lanes, which let Stoke dominate exchanges, the visitors having to rely on two devastating crosses.  

Stoke belied their poor start to the season by racing out of the traps, just 2 minutes in debutant Ashley Williams lost a right wing cross against his old club and keeper Bentley had to claim. But this was only a brief respite against the determined hosts.

A minute later Baker closed down a break as Stoke forced a first corner on the right, and in lots of space the first ball to the far post wasn't cleared and from the second ball Clucas, with City slow to react, easily slammed it unerringly into the near corner.

City didn't settle and the home side looked as though they may add a second, but ten minutes later Joe Allen's loose touch led to a 50-50 in front of City's box - Brownhill arrived first but Allen leapt in late studs up and was red carded after just 12 minutes.

 

The advantage didn't galvanise City and it led to Johnson replacing the 3-5-2 quickly  on 18 minutes, Moore sacrificed from the back to add Semenyo in attack alongside Diedhiou. But Stoke broke yer again and a Rowe mistake led to a deflected shot. 

After 21 minutes Massengo, with City still yet to get going, lost out in a 50-50 in his own half as Stoke muscled past the away team and Bentley had to do brilliantly to beat away McClean's point blank shot as the hosts looked set to go further ahead.

A busy spell saw Hunt beaten on the right and a ball in to Gregory was pushed past the keeper but Baker cleared off the line, at the other end Weimann almost turned in at the far post and a good move on the right saw Semenyo test the keeper too.

City were starting to get going but twice Diedhiou lost the ball by not being strong or tidy enough - although on 28 a sublime no look pass by Massengo under pressure on the left set Palmer off at the defence, tackled brilliantly as he unleashed a shot.

Palmer quickly had a shot deflected wide and Rowe headed wide far post following good work by Semenyo and Brownhill, as City rallied either side of the half hour. But from a series of corners Johnson's visitors rarely looked like finding a way back into it.

Before the half Gregory glanced a header over the bar from a right wing free kick conceded by Hunt, but Hunt then fed the ball into Massengo at the other end who lifted a looped ball over the back line that Semenyo met in the box but smashed over.

At the break a City freekick on the left was played short and Palmer had two chances to feed it into the box, the second squared to Diedhiou who couldn't force it in as the well organised home defenders swarmed to ensure Stoke went in comfortably ahead.   

After half time City were still second best, little sign they would find a way back into it. But ten minutes into the half Brownhill strode forward, fed Hunt, who dropped a shoulder and lifted a perfectly weighted ball to the far post that Diedhiou bundled in.

After the hour Palmer went off for Niclas Eliasson, a smart change with City's star midfielder struggling to pick passes in the absence of Afobe, the game plan playing up to Diedhiou far more dependent on our crossing and not quick channel balls.

And amazingly within just a minute of the change City went in front. Yet again Hunt stood up a cross to the far post, Eliasson put the defender under pressure who rose to nod it past his own keeper, rolling just over the line, the ref finally awarding it.

Despite all Stoke's best efforts - certainly worth a point - the game died a death as City closed shop, although the visitors had room for more, Semenyo heading over on a break after good work by Brownhill and Weimann, Williams heading the corner over.

Stoke players lost their heads in the final stages, feeling like they were second best to refereeing decisions but in truth they'd spent 75 minutes collapsing hoping for the official to even things up, although even in injury time they still tore into City's defence.

 

Indeed I was certain Stoke would secure a last gasp equaliser and it speaks volumes for City's unfolding season that they stole all three points to continue progress into the top spots of the Championship, a fine result on a day where we were second best. 

 

Bentley 7 A couple of crucial blocks and saves and handling always superb

Hunt 7 Not always tight defensively but you can't argue with his two crosses 

Rowe 5 Exposed a lot, all Stokes best chances were down our left, found it easy to play channel balls behind him

Baker 7 Solid and tidy all game

Williams 7 Got better as game went on and finished game almost playing like sweeper tidying everything up

Moore 6 Did nothing wrong and unlucky to go off

Brownhill 9 Ran the game in defensive midfield drove us forward and picked his passes, his best game for a year

Massengo 8 Was a little loose first half but got better and better and finished the game looking like one of the best players on the pitch - in the 90th minute held off two older opponents to keep the ball

Palmer 6 A few nice moments but a much less effective player without Afobe and right to take him off

Weimann 6 Well dealt with by Stoke who picked on him and made it very hard for him to run unimpeded, rarely linked up with Diedhiou

Diedhiou 6 Tidy in places but lacked the movement our play needs - but you can't argue with his effort or his goal

 

Semenyo 6 Disciplined but lacked the space and opportunity we associate with him, dropped out to wing second half and at times looked much more a threat

Eliasson 7 Composed and efficient with and without the ball

[cityexile]

Always enjoy reading your reports. We looked a bit disjointed today, but a win is a win.

Just watching the highlights. Think I would have had not too many complaints if our second had been scrubbed off for a foul on their player who put it in, as our player does not really get any contact on the ball, but the kind of luck you get when you are at the bottom it seems. Not complaining mind.

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/competitions/championship/11809658/stoke-1-2-bristol-city

[BS4 on Tour...]

Is “Smash and Grab” appropriate wording for the title given its local relevance?! 

[bcfc01]

12 minutes ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

Is “Smash and Grab” appropriate wording for the title given its local relevance?! 

It was as far removed as smash and grab that I've seen despite the local conotation.

Smash and grab indicates a back to the wall performance with a breakaway winner - this was patently not the case.

 

[mozo]

2 hours ago, bcfc01 said:

It was as far removed as smash and grab that I've seen despite the local conotation.

Smash and grab indicates a back to the wall performance with a breakaway winner - this was patently not the case.

 

True, would it be filed under 'unconvincing victory'?

Personally, I think people are getting too hung up on the performance. We did the job required of us.

[maxjak]

Another "Go To" report by our best away correspondent. Far superior to anything the Bristol Post manages, thanks Ole for a your considered analysis of an important victory.  PS.  I have the feeling Stoke will come good shortly, so it was a good time to play them.

[ballwinningcentrehalf]

The only thing I'd probably disagree with is the description of Diedhiou's goal as being 'bundled' in.

While it's obvious a lot of his game can be pretty untidy, and he may not have been great today, it's a little harsh to put that sort of slant on his goal. A fantastic ball in from Hunt put it on a plate, but it was still a great leap and a really tidy finish.

[Redstart]

Totally agree - leapt like a Gazelle

[Miah Dennehy]

10 hours ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

Is “Smash and Grab” appropriate wording for the title given its local relevance?! 

I did allow myself a wry smile

[Lanterne Rouge]

2 minutes ago, Miah Dennehy said:

I did allow myself a wry smile

Strangely Miah, we on the red side had different nicknames for your goalscoring heroes!

[189thoughts]

I thought Williams looked poor in the 1st half but grew into the game. Any ball that went over the top he had no hope catching and Stoke exploited that with 3 moves in the 1st half.

[Miah Dennehy]

3 minutes ago, Red Right Hand said:

Strangely Miah, we on the red side had different nicknames for your goalscoring heroes!

I could be wrong, but I can only remember one of them ever scoring against you for us, Bruce Bannister after about 3 minutes in my first ever visit to Ashton Gate. Maybe there were others in a Gloucester Cup game -and they did matter at the time- but I can't remember them.

[mozo]

2 hours ago, ballwinningcentrehalf said:

The only thing I'd probably disagree with is the description of Diedhiou's goal as being 'bundled' in.

While it's obvious a lot of his game can be pretty untidy, and he may not have been great today, it's a little harsh to put that sort of slant on his goal. A fantastic ball in from Hunt put it on a plate, but it was still a great leap and a really tidy finish.

Good point. He found the position and nodded the ball down expertly. Nothing bundled about it.