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Ipswich Town 1-3 Bristol City - Match Report
Saturday, 30th Sep 2017 17:17

Goals from Josh Brownhill, Famara Diedhiou and Bobby Reid saw Bristol City to a 3-1 victory over the Blues, their first win at Portman Road in 39 years, Martyn Waghorn netting for Town. Brownhill’s deflected goal put the visitors in front in the second minute, Diedhiou doubled the lead on 31, before Waghorn pulled a goal back for the Blues four minutes prior to half-time. However, there was to be no second half comeback from Town and Reid sealed the three points eight minutes from the end.

Mick McCarthy unsurprisingly initially named the same XI which beat Sunderland 5-2 on Tuesday evening.

However, Tom Adeyemi suffered an injury in the warm-up and Tristan Nydam replaced the former Cardiff City man alongside Cole Skuse in the deeper midfield role.

McCarthy again started with Waghorn, David McGoldrick, Bersant Celina behind lone out-and-out striker Joe Garner.

Central defender Adam Webster was back on the bench after recovering from his ankle injury, while keeper Dean Gerken also returned to the 18 after missing the Black Cats thrashing due to a hip problem.

For Bristol City, who went into the game seventh, one place and one point behind the Blues, midfielder Marlon Pack, who has already amassed five bookings for the season, was replaced by Brownhill in an otherwise unchanged side.

The visitors took the lead with the first shot of the game. Callum O’Dowda cut the ball back from the right to Brownhill, who hit a shot from the edge of the box which hit Nydam in the face and deflected past the wrong-footed Bartosz Bialkowski to his right.

The Robins created another opportunity in the 10th minute with Famara Diedhiou sent away with only Luke Chambers between him and the goal but the Blues’ skipper make an important challenge.

Bristol City continued to have most of the ball and might have done better with an opening in the 13th minute but Reid eventually shot powerfully from a tight angle on the right against Jonas Knudsen with the ball ricocheting back somewhat painfully into his own face.

On 17 Knudsen was shown the game’s first yellow card for a foul on O’Dowda after the Irishman had got away from him on halfway. The Danish international subsequently underwent treatment before continuing.

The visitors were inches from doubling their lead in the 21st minute when Reid cut in from the right and smashed a powerful shot which was goalbound until Jordan Spence slid in and got enough on the ball to deflect it on to the bar. Without Spence’s touch the ball would certainly have ended up in the net.

The Blues finally started to cause the Robins backline some problems in the 22nd minute when Skuse sent Garner away towards goal but the former Rangers man was crowded out and his shot looped into the air off a defender

A minute later, Waghorn was sent away down the right by McGoldrick and cut the ball back to the edge of the area for ex-Robin Skuse, whose shot was blocked.


After a slow first 20 minutes the Blues were starting to make an impact and on 27 Garner fed Celina not too far outside the area and the on-loan Manchester City man hit a powerful shot just past Bristol City keeper Frank Fielding’s right post. Moments later, Joe Bryan was booked for wild lunge on Garner.

But the visitors quickly got back on top, Jamie Paterson wasting an opportunity when he cut in from the right and smashed a shot which flew out for a throw.

However, on 31 Paterson created his side’s second goal of the game. The former Nottingham Forest man crossed from the left and Diedhiou rose above the diminutive Nydam and nodded down and into the corner of the net to claim his sixth goal of the season, his fifth in six games.

The Blues carved out what was their best chance of the half in the 36th minute when Iorfa cut the ball back to Celina from the right and the Kosovan international diverted towards goal but Fielding saved sharply.

Bialkowski gathered low to his left from Paterson on 40, then a minute later the Blues pulled a goal back.

After good work from McGoldrick, the ball ran out to Knudsen on the left and the Danish international sent in a low ball which the on-rushing Waghorn slammed his sixth goal for Town having made only six starts into the net off the underside of the bar.

Garner and Aden Flint clashed soon after the restart, the City defender appearing to stand on the Blues frontman following a challenge on halfway. After speaking to both players after the ball had gone out of play referee Simon Hooper took no action.

Moments later, Flint’s central defensive colleague Nathan Baker caught Garner with a flailing arm as they battled for an aerial ball, Hooper awarding Town a freekick but surprisingly not showing the former Aston Villa man a card.

Bristol City threatened again in the final moments of injury time, Flint heading Paterson’s left-sided corner into the ground and Bialkowski tipping it over the bar.

Soon after, referee Hooper brought an entertaining half to a close with the Robins deserving their lead.

Lee Johnson’s men had controlled the game for the most part and could well have scored more than their two goals, Spence having got in a vital touch to divert Reid’s shot on to the bar.

Town had started slowly and didn’t really get going until the 20-minute mark when they began to have more of the ball and create one or two chances.

Waghorn’s goal gave the Blues a lifeline ahead of the second half but their performance needed to be an improvement on their first-half display if were to get anything out of the game.

Bristol City were the first to threaten after the restart, O’Dowda breaking away in the 49th minute after a Town corner and Knudsen blocking his shot.

The Blues created a chance a minute later when McGoldrick cleverly turned away from his man in the centre circle and found Garner just outside the area to the left. The former Preston striker took the ball down on his chest before hitting a well-struck shot but too close to Fielding, who batted away.

Flint shot wide for the visitors, then in the 54th minute Town switched Iorfa for Adam Webster, back after the ankle injury he sustained at Luton in the Carabao Cup in August. Webster slipped into his usual central defensive role with Spence moving to right-back.

Nydam found Garner with a cross from deep on the left on 56, the striker diverting the ball into the box but a defender clearing.

In the 62nd minute Freddie Sears replaced Celina, who had been unable to make the same impact as he had on Tuesday.

O’Dowda curled a shot wide on 66 before Grant Ward replaced McGoldrick, the Blues’ number 10 quickly making his way to the tunnel accompanied by physio Alex Chapman, although not appearing unduly hampered by injury.

Webster headed a Ward freekick over on 70, then six minutes later the visitors switched Paterson for on-loan West Brom striker Jonathan Leko.

As the game moved into its final scheduled 10 minutes Garner was booked for jumping into Flint and in the 82nd minute the visitors sealed their first victory at Portman Road since a 1-0 win in September 1978.

The impressive Reid struck a shot from 25 yards out which caught Knudsen on the way through and beat Bialkowski.

The linesman had initially flagged, presumably as he felt the ball had been turned in by a Bristol City player, but after consultation the referee awarded the goal.

The Robins swapped O’Dowda for Niclas Eliasson and then Matty Taylor for Reid, shortly after the scorer of the third visitors’ goal had been booked.

The well-organised visitors saw out the remaining minutes as comfortably as they had the rest of the half to take their unbeaten run to 10 games and to climb above the Blues up to fifth.

Town can have few complaints about the result. The visitors gained their lead when on top in the first half and prevented the Blues from making too much headway in the second with Garner’s shot straight at Fielding and Webster’s header over their only real chances.

The result sees the Blues drop to eighth ahead of the international break with a trip to Sheffield United, who are third following today’s 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest, their next fixture in a fortnight’s time.

Town: Bialkowski, Iorfa (Webster 54), Chambers (c), Spence, Knudsen, Skuse, Nydam, Waghorn, McGoldrick (Ward 66), Celina (Sears 62), Garner. Unused: Gerken, Connolly, Bru, Kenlock.

Bristol City: Fielding, Bryan, Flint, Wright (c), Baker, Smith, Brownhill, Diedhiou, O’Dowda (Eliasson 86), Reid (Taylor 89), Paterson (Leko 76). Unused: Steele, Woodrow, Magnusson, Hegeler. Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire). Att: 15,256 (Bristol City: 623).


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dangerous30 added 19:21 - Sep 30
I was happy with the team selection today just a shame a few never performed onto the next game.
3

Swn98 added 19:25 - Sep 30
After the excitement of Tues a disappointing result.
For all those posters commenting on the substitution of Mcgoldrick he actually told the bench he needed to come off.
Another polished performance from Nydem not very impressed with Iorfa again.
Spence had a solid game .
Yes you could point out the two deflections, at the end of the day they were marginally the better team perhaps if we ever get our full squad back we will have other options sorry to see DM go off hope it's not another long term injury Knudsen seemed to be carrying a niggle as well.
Let's write this one off along with the atrocious referee hope their no9 takes some lessons in humility.
7

RobITFC added 19:26 - Sep 30
Jas0999 if you think October is difficult , take a look at November... we need a fully fit squad ASAP.
3

jas0999 added 19:38 - Sep 30
RobITFC - yep, only Burton looks a nailed on win between now and December. I'm sure we will pick up a few points, but five of our six wins so far are against teams in the bottom seven. Will be an interesting few months.
4

grumpyoldman added 20:09 - Sep 30
So by beating lower teams and losing to better placed teams we should end up mid table, early season euphoria is gradually evaporating. Not a criticism but we are not good enough at present
16

runaround added 20:14 - Sep 30
Very disappointed with that result especially as we now have a fortnight before the next chance to put things right. Sounds like losing Adeyemi just before kick off was a big problem. Still been a decent start but with a couple of tough games after the international break there is a feeling that we might fall away a bit now. On the positive side though it's a hundred times better than last season
1

Cakeman added 20:19 - Sep 30
Very sorry runaround my fat finger hit the minus arrow instead of positive.
0

Lightningboy added 20:21 - Sep 30
Beaten by a team I loathe - hate it when that happens plus they had 2 jammy goals and the ref on their side - he was pi55 poor.

Central midfield kept on knocking it backwards and sideways and the defence just kept hoofing it forwards aimlessly..we are more than capable of keeping the ball and playing some decent stuff (as we did at times today) but for whatever reason we don't.

Missed Adeyemi and are obviously missing Huws,Bishop,Dozzell,Downes and Hyam in the middle..today just emphasised how poor Skuse is against the most average of teams..I for one hope he goes back to Bristol next summer.

Another 2 week break now 🙄
6

Cakeman added 20:24 - Sep 30
The last four days sum us up at the moment. A brilliant win against Sunderland to build us up and then followed by a very lethargic effort this afternoon to knock our spirits back down.
In fairness we did not have the rub of the green with two of their goals plus a performance from a referee who made as many correct decisions as he had hairs on his head! He was shocking!

Sadly I agree with others who mentioned there was an element of hoof ball creeping in again when we were short of ideas.

We must beat The Budgies and then all will be forgiven.
12

Steelmonkey added 20:27 - Sep 30
At least by beating lower placed teams we are picking up points whereas last season it was draws and losses in some cases, and the entertainment value is better.
It's clear to see we have a way to go and that there is still something missing when we come up against better opposition.
Let us get the injuries to defensive players sorted and see how we go from there.
No need yet to put plans into progress for a MM statue to be made.
3

tractorboybig added 20:46 - Sep 30
Went to the game biggest load focal I have ever seen. Must say I can see why we are favourites to go down. Sunderland must be REAL crap
0

TonyMowbray added 20:46 - Sep 30
Hooooooof. Is John Fashanu still playing professional football? Would be a great addition.
1

warktheline added 21:12 - Sep 30
Bloody amazing isn't it, when we lose the happy chappie gang want to post reasoned arguments but when we win, attack and hamstring the 'moaners'. Need not say more!!!

Sadly far from a top six side, and as I've already said, 'content' just to see goals scored by the team in blue occasionally ! Today's result has put plenty back into their 'boxes'!
2

runningout added 21:20 - Sep 30
Conceding three???... too many almost took for granted 6 points were ours from Sunderland and Bristol at PR. We were beaten by a better and more hungry team, deflections or not. Knudsen didn't look useful for their third. Things could be worse I suppose
1

Spanishblueblood added 21:35 - Sep 30
warktheline,

Its amazing, when we win there are about 70 posts bigging us up but when we lose.....nowhere near as many posts.
These so called supporters are so fickle!
pmsl

Mick out!
-4

Geddis78 added 21:39 - Sep 30
Real anti climax today after Tuesday. Fair play Bristol, they deserved their win. Let's not start down the McCarthy in or out well worn path, he is here for the season. Whichever side of the fence you sit, let us be positive and focus on how much better we are than last year plus we have some real decent young lads coming through. Top ten a realistic possibility rather than fighting relegation and we have an outside chance of top 6. Call me easily pleased but I'll take that after last season.
3

thundercat600 added 22:19 - Sep 30
How does this team be so inconsistent, I really don't know, there was no urgency and as already said hoofball, we were so slow moving forward it was an embarrassment. Unless they can find where 2,3,and 4th gear is we ain't going anywhere again this year. Where was the movement, the urgency, the will to run with the ball.
5

GiveusaWave added 00:37 - Oct 1
Psychologically hard to lose Adeyemi in the warm-up, Nydam wouldn't have been ready to play until later. 3-1 did flatter them but we could have easily lost 6-1. As Jas0999 has already stated, October is a big month for us now.

Disappointing result but not unexpected. iMHO we've been punching above our weight for a while. The players and manager deserve praise for where we are in the league right now.
3

runningout added 00:54 - Oct 1
Plenty of room and ability for improvement. Let's fill Brammall Lane
2

Minneapolis_ITFC added 01:21 - Oct 1
Was expecting more in the way of post-game comment. It's important reading response from the game for those that can't be there in attendance to ascertain all relevant information.

The starting eleven was impressive, I thought ahead of time it could be enough for a victory, but seems we reverted to tactics that were non-effective and played into the hands of opposition. Granted Bristol are a better team than when we last played them, but so are ourselves, so to learn of a 1 - 3 home loss is disappointing.

Have seen game highights also, the deflections aided them to considerable effect and apparently the senior match official was at times sub-standard. All told, on another day and with that extra bit of fortune and with greater emphasis, we could of seen victory but it wasn't to be. We remain improved from before although with a fully fit squad to choose from and everybody reading from the same page, it would provide a tangible opportunity to make the play-off zone by end of season, maybe more.

3

BlueandTruesince82 added 09:49 - Oct 1
Think it's mid table for us as I have said since pre season.

Not the end of the world for me. Still feels like this year is a massive step forward in terms of squad, depth etc something to build on

Leaves Evans and Mick with big choices come end of season.

Evans will offer the contract, whether Mick takes it is another matter.

As for yesterday as other have said we will win a few lose.a few and the season will probably meander with min fuss and drama .

1

tallguy6767 added 09:52 - Oct 1
Yungblue..spot on comments. See us live for first time in a while and although personnel has changed a fair bit not much has changed on the pitch.
Defence looks very shaky, all be it a few injuries still.. Iawfull sorry no where near good enough. Midfield still lacks any real creation, up front has more aggression with waghorn and garner but need better supply.
All in all we are mid table outfit been punching above our weight due to the excellent results at the start.
As for me I won't return until McCarthy has gone and we have a forward thinking manager with fresh ideas and I really think our fortune's could change .
3

happybeingblue added 10:40 - Oct 1
Iorfa looked decent going forward and felt we didn't use enough width instead resorting to long balls up to the 2 city giants at the back who won everything in the air all afternoon we still don't play with a winger who will hug the touch line and create and in a game like yday that was an obvious tactic which was sadly missing on either flank Celina didnt get enough of the ball and I felt the subs actually made us look less likely to equalise
2

dirtydingusmagee added 10:42 - Oct 1
Cakeman, it was a brilliant win,only in that it was entaining and we hit 5, but in real terms it was against a poor team who are a mess at the moment, I'm not having a pop, I agree wth the rest of your post. As ive said previously the fixture list has been kind, but as soon as we have faced any real opposition we have come up short.On that basis October and November look like like bleak months,and I'm not talking weather .We now face a real challenge.
3

blueboy1981 added 11:02 - Oct 1
....... well, it didn't take long to start dropping back down towards the mid table area - and unfortunately for the 'Budgies' to catch us up - did it ?

Reality has kicked in as many of us expected. Today was a very poor performance in my opinion - after the Lord Mayors Show comes the Tramps Ball, and this was every bit that.

Iorfa looked too lazy to scratch his head, Nydam looked out of his depth, and quite simply we were abysmal - justifiably beaten by a far more balanced and much better side.

A couple of deflected goals against - yes - but lets not make more excuses, we wouldn't have won this game if we were still playing.

Mid table is about our rightful position, and we are heading that way again unfortunately - that's the reality of it.
6


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