Liam Manning claims Bristol City's win v Southampton better than West Ham and reveals Rob Atkinson injury

Liam Manning hailed Bristol City's 3-1 win over Premier League hopefuls Southampton as the most complete performance of his reign so far, as the Robins ended their opponent's 25-game unbeaten run.

Goals from Sam Bell, Rob Dickie and Harry Cornick sent Russell Martin's side home empty-handed, as City recorded back-to-back victories after their win at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Manning has guided City to a couple of standout wins, notably a 4-1 rout over Watford and a 1-0 win against topflight side West Ham, but the manager said that Tuesday's performance topped them all.

"Yeah, for me it was the best. The most complete since we've been here," he said. "We've had others games where we've performed well but lacked the final element, cross or shot.

"Whereas tonight we brought it all together against a very in-form side, so that adds to it as well in terms of being able to perform against an opponent of that level."

After an entertaining first 45 minutes which saw the visitors strike the crossbar, the scores were still level, and the manager spoke about his half-time message.

"There was a few bits ah half-time. I thought the first 25 we carried a real threat, they then got on top for 20 and pinned us back a little.

"But we spoke a half-time about the out-of-possession shape and how to get more pressure, mainly Belly and Anis being narrower so we could force it outside which they did an outstanding job of."

Positive news for City is that Mark Sykes was back on the bench after injury, and Kal Naismith played for the u21s in their defeat to Cardiff on Tuesday afternoon.

However, Rob Atkinson, who also featured against the Bluebirds, was forced off with a hamstring problem, and the manager said he doesn't know how long he'll be sidelined for.

"He went for a scan this evening but I said to Procs, I don't want to know to be honest, I'm gutted for the big man he's worked so hard to get back fit and it's something we'll analyse and assess everything.

"He said he felt great before the game and in the game so we'll get the scan results and we will get around him, look after him and do everything we can to get him back."