Bristol City star’s brilliant return to form can kick-off season again, says pundit

Bristol City picked up their first win since December 10 after hammering Birmingham City 4-2 at Ashton Gate.
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Antoine Semenyo kicked things off for the Robins and there was also a double for Mark Sykes and another for Nahki Wells in the emphatic victory as City leapfrogged the visitors and moved into 17th place in the Championship table.

Nigel Pearson’s men never really looked in any danger of not taking the three points, even when Troy Deeney had made it 2-1 from the penalty spot and City transfer target Reda Khadra scored on his Blues debut with around 15 minutes remaining.

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Part of the reason for the recent upturn in form - City had drawn three in a row before Saturday - has been Semenyo’s return to the team and return to form, according to one pundit.

The talented Ghanian has been in and out of the side this season and was also away on World Cup duty with his country but three goals in his last three games suggests Semenyo can revitalise City’s campaign -f they can keep hold of him, with a number of clubs believed to be interested.

That’s certainly the view of one veteran EFL campaigner, who admitted he has been surprised by the 23-year-old’s struggles to gain a consistent starting place.

“I’ve been trying to get my head round why Antoine Semenyo hasn’t played and started as much this season because he just looked an unbelievable threat, certainly last season,” former Norwich City striker Dean Ashton said on ITV’s EFL Highlights Show. “[Against Birmingham] he makes a big difference but also this looked a lot more like the early part of the season for Bristol City.

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“They were flooding the box with attacking players, Sykes getting on the scoresheet, Semenyo a big threat - he’s now got four goal involvements in the four games he’s started - hopefully things start to turn there.”

City return to action on Tuesday when they face Swansea in an FA Cup replay, the two side’s drawing 1-1 at Ashton Gate last weekend, where Semenyo was also on the scoresheet.

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