Bristol City player ratings v Leicester City: 'Outstanding' trio score 8/10 as Robins defeat Premier League hopefuls

Bristol City 1-0 Leicester City

Bristol City recorded back-to-back home victories as they narrowly defeated Leicester City 1-0 at Ashton Gate.

Anis Mehmeti netted the only goal of the game midway through the second half, as he lashed home from the edge of the area.

Jamie Vardy came the closest for the Foxes, as the 37-year-old twice struck wide in the first period before missing a brilliant chance early in the second half.

The victory follows up the Robins' 1-0 win against Swansea City in their last home match before the international break.

Liam Manning's side move up to 12th place, while Leicester remain in second position.

The hosts started the match on the front foot as they were evidently eager to make amends for their poor run of form before the international break.

George Tanner progressed down the left flank and did well to squeeze a cross to the back post, where Tommy Conway and Scott Twine got in each other's way as both tried to fire at goal.

The Foxes soon began to hit back and looked a threat with their quick trio up top. Vardy almost broke free but couldn’t take advantage of Rob Dickie’s error.

Moved back into a deeper role, Jason Knight began to influence the game by linking the play to Twine and Mehmeti.

The latter slid a pass through to Conway who forced Mads Hermansen into a good stop before Twine’s rebound was pushed behind.

A long ball from Max O’Leary then confused the Leicester defence and Wout Faes was almost made to pay when Conway latched in behind the Belgian.

The Scot was eventually brought to the floor in the area and called for a penalty but referee Andrew Kitchen saw nothing wrong.

Enzo Maresca’s side began to hit back on the half-hour mark. Harry Winks’ free kick was headed narrowly wide by Wout Faes before Vardy’s effort flashed inches past O’Leary’s right-hand post.

Liam Manning’s side refused to be pushed back, though, and Mehmeti almost scored a brilliant goal before the break.

Matty James’ chipped pass found the Albanian, who beat Jannik Vestergaard and Faes but couldn’t get his shot away from inside the area.

The Robins began the second period well and Tanner almost provided Conway with a tap-in after he was set free down the right flank.

Haydon Roberts and Cam Pring then linked up on the left and the former sent a low cross into the path of Twine, whose shot was blocked.

Again, Maresca’s side replied instantly, Vardy played a one-two with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and went one-against-one with O’Leary.

The keeper made a great stop to deny the 37-year-old before denying Stephy Mavididi’s follow-up effort.

O’Leary was called into action again at the 60-minute mark when a lapse in concentration from Zak Vyner allowed Vardy a free effort on goal from inside the area.

The veteran looked certain to score but a sensational stop from the goalkeeper tipped the ball behind.

Ross McCrorie and Mark Sykes were introduced by Manning as the hosts went in search of a winning goal, and the former almost broke the deadlock when he skipped past a couple of players and fired into the side netting.

The substitutions worked and with 15 minutes left to play, Mehmeti netted the opening goal.

Sykes picked up a loose pass and picked out the Albanian on the edge of the area, who took a touch onto his left foot and blasted into the corner of Hermansen’s net.

Leicester pushed for an equaliser late on but the Robins held on comfortably for all three points.

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