City’s shambolic defensive display caused their downfall at Ashton Gate
A bonkers game of Championship football saw Bristol City beat Hull City 4-2 at a sodden Ashton Gate where both sides notched up more than 40 attempts at goal.
City were a goal up inside three minutes when David Akintola teed up Joe Gelhardt to score the opener, but a series of shambolic defensive calamities ensured they were 3-1 down at the break, and staring down the barrel of a thrashing.
They were not without chances of their own in the second half, but Max Bird’s thumping effort killed it off before Kyle Joseph turned in a consolation in added time.
Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the Tigers’ performances at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon….
Ivor Pandur: His poor pass gave Giles little chance, and from that, the hosts equalised. Did little to look like he could stop the other two. 4/10
Ryan Giles: Saw his clearance blocked, and from that, the Tigers didn’t recover and conceded the equaliser. Never looked settled in a poor first half. 4/10
Charlie Hughes: Back in the side after missing last week through illness, and probably wished he’d stayed in bed. Poor first half summed up when Emil Riis took it off him to score the third. 4/10
John Egan: Miles off it in the first half, and was left standing watching as Mehmeti turned in the second from a yard out. A bad day at the office for him. 4/10
Cody Drameh: A poor opening 45 minutes. Twice beaten at the back post for headers that set up the first and second goals. Never really recovered. Replaced by Coyle in the second half. 4/10
Regan Slater: Struggled to get any control early on, and had his pocket picked by Twine who saw a shot blocked. Fashioned a good chance for himself early in the second with a bit of perseverance. 5/10
John Lundstram: Not in the game in the first half, and fell well below his own high standards. Better in the second period but still nowhere near it. 4/10
David Akintola: A full Championship debut for the Nigerian winger and claimed an early assist when he teed up Gelhardt for the opener. Looked bright going forward. Dragged a shot wide in the second before being booked. Lovely piece of play to create for Joseph. Some signs of promise on his full debut. 6/10
Joe Gelhardt: Deployed in the number 10 role behind Oli McBurnie and was on the scoresheet early again. Ran onto Akintola’s pass to expertly lift over the goalkeeper. 6/10
Joel Ndala: One of few positives in the first period, and looked a threat. An unfortunate moment when he slipped inside the box and was withdrawn at the break. 6/10
Oli McBurnie: Worked hard up top and carved out a few good opportunities. Doesn’t help him when you need to score four to win a game. Saw a fine header brilliantly stopped in the second. 6/10
Subs:
Kyle Joseph (for Ndala 46): Headed over at the near post from Akintola’s fine cross midway through the second half and then saw a volley beaten away. Got himself on the scoresheet in added time. 6/10
Lewie Coyle (for Drameh 67): A first outing of the season, and a situation the skipper would not have relished when he came on at 3-1 down. 6/10
Mohamed Belloumi (for Akintola 67): Had a couple of sights of goal. Amid the gloom of a second straight defeat, his continued comeback remains a major positive. 6/10
Kasey Palmer (for Gelhardt 73): Customary boos for the returning Robin against his former club. 6/10
Cathal McCarthy (for Slater 88): Good to see him get back on the pitch after a tough debut a week ago. 6/10
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