Bristol City’s players were unable to deliver to a sold-out crowd as they suffered a 3-2 defeat to newly promoted Sunderland in a frustrating display.
Ross Stewart netted the match-winning goal with a bullet header in the 71st minute. Ellis Simms scored a brace, first opening the scoring before Andi Weimann’s equaliser then he got the Black Cats on level terms after Chris Martin had given the Robins the lead for the first time.
It is their second consecutive loss after their opening day loss to Hull City, leaving them second from the bottom of the table, losing points from a winning again like they did last season.
The home defence started nervously and conceded from the real first shot they faced. Kal Naismith lost possession after being pressurised on the ball and Ellis Simms was able to beat Daniel Bentley with a laced shot.
City sought an immediate response and went near when Jay Dasilva laid the ball to Joe Williams but his shot deflected into Anthony Patterson’s hands.
The ever reliable Weimann got them back on level terms moments later as Zak Vyner worked the ball to the Austrian who showed composure and trickery before drilling it home.
The game eventually quieted down but on the half-hour mark Dennis Cirkin had to hook Chris Martin’s effort off the line after being fed in by Alex Scott, who showed neat footwork.
Shooting through a sea of bodies, Evans nearly restored the lead for the visitors but Bentley was able to claw his shot away in first-half stoppage time.
Five minutes after emerging from the dressing room, City took the lead in a somewhat simple goal. Weimann’s low cross found the feet of Martin which trickled its way past the defender and keeper.
Celebrations were short however as a cross-field ball cut out the defence and Simms was able to slot past the legs of Bentley.
Simms was a handful all day and almost got his hat-trick but was denied at point-blank range by a reactive save.
Despite two defensive reinforcements sent on, Kane Wilson could not stop Alex Pritchard’s cross from finding the head of Stewart who’s header looped into the net.
Martin had a guilt-edged chance to equalise with six minutes remaining but somehow dragged his shot away from goal despite being three-yards out in the final chance to salvage anything.
1. Daniel Bentley - 5
An individual error from Naismith for the first goal and then a collective responsibility for the second. Simms took his two goals well but Bentley may be disappointed to be megged for the second. Made a superb save to deny the bagsman his hat-trick when the Sunderland striker tried to slot it from yards out. The skipper was unable to organise his defence to stop the third from going in, making for a frustrating day. Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
2. Zak Vyner - 6
Two assists in two games for the surprise starter after teeing up Weimann. Defensively though he was the last line of defence for Simms’ second and was caught in no-mans land. Substituted just after the hour for Timm Klose. Photo: Ashley Allen/Getty Images
3. Kal Naismith - 5
Conceded possession in a dangerous place which resulted in Ellis Simms’ goal. Redeemed himself slightly by standing up Ross Stewart and denying Simms a second at the time with a superb sliding block. Stewart got the better of him however by beating him in the air for the match-winning goal. Photo: Rogan/Fever Pitch
4. Rob Atkinson - 5
The second goal was too easy for Sunderland to score from with the whole back three nowhere to be seen until the last moment. Did play Simms and Stewart on side for the third. Photo: Ashley Allen/Getty Images