‘Unlucky’ - Nigel Pearson delivers verdict as make-shift Bristol City draw with Swansea City

Bristol City took the lead but were pegged by a Swansea City side that dominated possession
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Nigel Pearson said Bristol City were made to rue missed opportunities as they drew 1-1 with Swansea City at Ashton Gate.

The Robins started brightly and deservedly opened the lead through Tommy Conway, who scored for the first time in nine matches. Conway combined well with the front partnership of Antoine Semenyo and Nahki Wells.

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Conway’s goal sought a response from Russell Martin’s side who had to wait until the 75th minute for their equaliser. Olivier Ntcham came off the bench and scored from outside the box.

Swansea dominated possession with 72% of the ball but City ended up with four shots on target, one more than the Swans. It was a match that failed to present many clear-cut opportunities.

“I’m disappointed not to win the game with the way we approached today but if people wanted an excuse they could find one,” he said. “We were very positive and we were unlucky not to win the game but that is life.

“We played well today but we rued the chances we missed in the first half in all honesty,” he said in his assessment of the draw in his post-match assessment.

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“They scored a good goal, but I thought we defended exceptionally well today and we worked hard. They didn’t have many chances today that I remember too much. It was a deflected shot that went in.

“We are disappointed but we need to convert those chances when they come our way. We could have been comfortable at half-time.

City were dealt with an eleventh hour change as an illness continued to spread through the team. Rob Atkinson was initially named in the starting XI but dropped out of the squad completely and was replaced by Cameron Pring. Under-21’s defender Joe Low took his place but was unused.

The central back three changed significantly with Zak Vyner in the centre and was partnered alongside Pring and George Tanner. Tanner made his first Championship league start since November 2021 and slotted in at right-sided centre-back.

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As to who impressed him, the 59-year-old put praise on to several players for their performances. All three central defenders came out with the plaudits, as did Alex Scott, who was tasked of being a box-to-box-midfielder and his partner Matty James.

Pearson added: “I thought he (Cameron Pring) did really good and George Tanner did too. Alex Scott wasn’t well last night but I thought he played well today as did Matty James, they were both wow. The work rate they got through was fantastic.

“I thought the back three were great and we had plenty of chances.”

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