Bristol City player ratings as fight erupts after full time whistle

Millwall made it three consecutive wins and returned to form away from home as they defeated Bristol City at Ashton Gate. The result widens the gap between the sides to five points and sees City slip out of the play-off places, now sitting one point behind sixth-placed Stoke City.

Gerhard Struber made just one change to the team that beat Swansea, with Jason Knight replacing Ross McCrorie and Harry Cornick returned to the match day squad for the first time since QPR. Millwall manager Alex Neil also made a single alteration to the side buoyed by Tristan Crama’s dramatic late winner against Southampton in midweek.

City started brightly, dominating the opening exchanges in what was a crucial afternoon for the Robins. Anis Mehmeti was lively from the outset, his mis-hit effort-turned-cross flashing narrowly wide of the far post.

At the other end, City’s defensive organisation held firm, with Knight and Rob Dickie both stepping in well to shut down early Millwall threats. The hosts continued to control possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Scott Twine, whose late strike won Millwall’s previous visit to Ashton Gate, came closest with a long-range effort that drifted wide.

Just before the half-hour mark, City fashioned their best opportunity of the first half. A move beginning with Mehmeti saw Twine combine smartly with Mark Sykes, before the latter’s shot was blocked inside the area. Millwall responded moments later, Aidomo Emakhu cutting inside onto his right foot and firing over Radek Vitek’s crossbar.

City came out strongly in the second half, with Neto Borges winning the ball superbly on the left before overhitting a cross that still found Sykes, whose first-time strike was blocked. Millwall replied instantly: Emakhu swung in a dangerous ball that Femi Azeez met, though his effort lacked the power to trouble Vitek.

The visitors then took the lead. City were caught out in possession, and with Borges out of position, Azeez was allowed to burst into space down the right. His initial effort was saved brilliantly by Vitek, but City failed to clear the loose ball, allowing Mihailo Ivanovic to smash home the rebound and send the 1,500 travelling Millwall fans into raptures.

Struber responded with a double substitution, and City began to build momentum. Rob Dickie drew an outstanding save from Max Crocombe with a powerful header from a Twine corner, before Emil Riis missed a promising chance at the back post from yet another excellent Mehmeti delivery.

As the match entered the final ten minutes, a long throw from Dickie caused chaos in the box, but Borges was unable to make meaningful contact, and Sinclair Armstrong was then penalised for a foul, a decision met with fury from the home supporters.

Alex Neil’s substitutions also made an impact, with Thierno Ballo slipping Zak Sturge through on goal, only for the defender to blaze over and let City off the hook.

City had one final golden opportunity when a low cross evaded the Millwall defence and fell to Armstrong, whose first-time strike looked destined for the bottom corner until Crocombe produced a remarkable save to deny the Irishman.

Deep into stoppage time, a long ball into the box was met by Dickie, and Zak Vyner fired home what appeared to be a dramatic late equaliser. However, the celebrations were cut short by an extremely contentious offside call from referee Edward Duckworth.

At full time, tempers boiled over, with scuffles breaking out between members of both camps, an ugly end to what had been a fierce, hard-fought contest between Bristol City and Millwall.

This leaves City sitting just outside the play-off spots by one point where Struber’s side return to action at Ashton Gate where they take on Leicester City.

Player Ratings:

Radek Vitek:(GK) As always the Czech man was in goal and it was a tale of two halves for the Manchester United loanee. The first half, Vitek barely touched the ball and had little to nothing to do. However, for the goal in the second half Vitek really should’ve done better as he’s parried the initial shot right back to a Millwall player. 6

George Tanner: A staple in the right side of defence these days and another very solid performance from Tanner today solidified why Struber continues to pick him. Showed no fear against the pace of Millwall winger Aidomo Emakhu as the two had really good battles throughout the game. 5.5

Zak Vyner: Back into centre back for Vyner today and it was a solid return to defence. Few thought he might get an urge or two to take the ball and drive into those midfield areas but there was none and it was a good defensive performance from the man with 237 appearances for the Robins. Did absolutely leather the ball into the back of the net in added time but was ruled out for a previous offside. 6.5

Rob Dickie: It was back to vice captain duties for Dickie today due to Knight’s return. Won the ball several times and drove with the ball into midfield and found Riis which did look like a good outlet for City to exploit but it fizzled out in the second half. 6

Neto Borges: The Brazilian was looking to build on the back off his assist away at Portsmouth for Mehmeti and todays performance was another good one from Borges. Constant energy up and down the left hand side and looked a massive threat for City going forward. Died down a bit in the second half but definitely a good performance from the Brazilian. 6.5

Mark Sykes: It was a rare back to back start for the Irish international today after his surprise start in midfield against Portsmouth. Today however, just like the majority of City players he started well but as the game went on and on his attacking input went down and down. There were also a couple of times when he did leave Tanner stranded defensively aswell. 6

Captain’s return

Jason Knight:(C) The captain made his first start today since Preston away in late September and brought an energy to the game that city had desperately missed. Constantly up and down the pitch with an energy rarely seen in football these days. Looked very good linking up with Sykes and Tanner and constantly keeping the balls in triangles. Struber did protect him by not making him play the full 90 minutes aswell ahead of a busy international period. 6.5

Adam Randell: Once again starting in midfield, Randell’s performance was built on the basis of keeping the ball and moving it upfield quickly. Definitely looked to be more attacking especially on the edge of the box when set pieces deflected out to him but couldn't find the back of the net. No signs of slowing down this season for Randell and he will be crucial for City during the festive period in midfield with the form he has started the season with. 6.5

Anis Mehmeti: Really hard to write a report on Mehmeti’s game today as i’d describe it as the definition of a two half performance. Started the first 45 minutes electric as always and constantly City’s biggest threat down the left hand side along with Borges. The second half however the Millwall defence definitely made a plan to neutralise the Albanians threat throughout the second 45 period. 6

Scott Twine: City’s number ten was a another player that writing a player rating for was tricky today as he was all over the midfield and forward areas and it was a tireless performance but no real chances created or had from Twine. Had a couple set pieces where he normally makes an impact from but they were either to far out or to poor of an angle to create or make a chance. 5.5

Emil Riis: The Danish striker is beginning to go a few games without a goal now however the effort from Riis has never wavered. Constantly made runs in behind or across the Millwall backline and did cause them problems throughout the game. Only had one real chance across the game and that was in the second half and it was one he might look at and thinking he could do better but it was a deep cross and a tight angle to try and score from. 6

Substitutes:

Sinclair Armstrong: A couple minutes before he was brought on i was thinking that this was the perfect game for a player like Sinclair Armstrong and in hindsight it was as several City balls went over the visiting defenders and was begging for just a little bit of pace and Armstrong would bring that. Unfortunately when Armstrong came on, City were chasing a lead and it seemed that Millwall’s defenders were smart enough to take a few steps back so that Armstrongs pace and power wouldn't be a factor. 6

Ross McCrorie: The Scot nearly sent Ashton Gate into raptures late on when he fired off a low driven shot from the edge of the box and only denied by a fantastic save from the visiting goalkeeper to not make it 1-1. 6

Yu Hirakawa: Yu was brought on to make an attacking impact however it seemed that he made his biggest impact defensively stopping counter attacks with his rapid speed. There was a tiny chance where he had the opportunity to create something however it was quickly stopped. 5.5

Cam Pring: Didn't really get the time to make a massive impact in only short amount of time. 5.5