Bristol City player ratings: Five 8/10s as the Robins bounce back to defeat West Bromwich Albion

Bristol City struck twice in the first half as they eased to a 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Tuesday night.

Joe Williams opened the scoring before Nahki Wells added a second on the stroke of half-time. Brandon Thomas-Asante came closest to pulling one back for Albion, but his header bounced back off the post.

The Robins move up to 11^th in the league table after two wins in three, while the Baggies remain in 20^th.

Story of the match:

The visitors started the better of the two teams on the night. Antoine Semenyo’s shot was deflected for a corner before Wells hesitated when seemingly one on one with Alex Palmer.

However, it didn’t take the Baggies to find their feet, as bright starts from Thomas-Asante and Matt Phillips pushed the Robins under heavy pressure for a few minutes.

It was clear that the hosts were feeling rejuvenated under their new interim manager Richard Beale, as they pressed high to give City little time on the ball.

The visitors, though, were brave on the ball and managed to deal with the press with some neat passing football, with Matty James at the heart of it.

However, the Robins couldn’t fashion any clear-cut chances, and the hosts soon began to force Nigel Pearson’s side back with a succession of crosses and corners.

On the half-hour mark, Albion were perhaps fortunate not to be reduced to 10, when Jake Livermore appeared to go in for a fifty-fifty challenge against Timm Klose with his studs up. But Bobby Madley deemed the challenge worthy of a yellow.

Livermore was involved for the wrong reasons again moments later, as City netted the opener.

Wells’ cross from the right was kept alive well by Jay Dasilva, the retreating Livermore attempted to clear the ball but made no connection, which left Williams on hand to prod home with his right foot from six yards out, for his first Robins goal.

Beale’s side’s response to the goal was positive, and they almost struck back on the 42-minute mark. Conor Townsend delivered a low cross into the area, which made its way to the onrushing Phillips.

The winger got a left-footed shot off, but a scrambling Dasilva just did enough to out the no. 10 off, as he blazed over.

Phillips was made to rue his missed opportunity on the stroke of half time, when the Robins doubled their lead.

Semenyo cut inside Dara O’Shea and unleashed a curling effort towards goal. The attempt looked a relatively comfortable stop for Palmer, but a proactive Wells appeared on the scene and got the faintest of headers on the ball to guide it home. 0-2 at the break.

As expected, Beale’s side had most of the ball in the early stages of the second period and could’ve been granted a route back into the game with a penalty.

Jed Wallace’s cross looked to have hit Rob Atkinson’s hand from close range, but Madley didn’t point to the spot to the Albion players’ disappointment.

Just eight minutes later, there was another penalty shout for handball when Williams blocked a thunderous effort. On review of the replay, the midfielder was perhaps fortunate not to have been penalised.

Albion continued to control possession, but couldn’t force the issue, and City with Semenyo and Wells up top, City were a danger on the counterattack.

Wells won the ball back off Dara O’Shea on the halfway line and slid through his strike partner. The Ghanaian got his shot off well but could only shoot over on his weaker foot from a tight angle.

The home side came agonisingly close to a lifeline in the 68^th minute when Thomas-Asante’s header bounced agonisingly off the post after a Townsend cross. To the relief of Max O’Leary, Dasilva was first on the scene to clear away.

As the game went on, the Robins managed the game well and denied the hosts any clear-cut chances, while they remained a threat on the counter.

Townsend came close in the closing seconds to pulling a goal back, as his long-range effort bounced back off the crossbar.

But, two goals, a clean sheet and three points on the night, a successful trip to the Midlands for City.

Player ratings:

Max O’Leary – 7

Little to do in the way of saves but showed good distribution. Clean sheet.

Zak Vyner – 8

A good challenge to stop Grady Diangana going through on goal. Solid in the air and in the tackle.

Timm Klose – 7

Got the better of a couple of times early on but a strong second half performance.

Rob Atkinson – 8

Won his headers well and travelled forward with ball in typical fashion. Solid at the back.

Mark Sykes – 7

Got about defensive work well and was full of running. Booked.

Alex Scott – 8

Solid and tenacious out of possession, made a good clearance from a low cross that looked a certain goal.

Matty James – 7

Composed on the ball and kept the ball moving. Excellent pass to Wells for the opener.

Joe Williams – 8

Got on ball well kept things ticking. Reacted well in the area to score the first goal.

Jay Dasilva – 7

Worked hard but lacked end product at times. Did well to keep the ball alive for the opening goal and did enough to put Phillips off in a chance before the break.

Antoine Semenyo – 7

Battled up front but had little goalscoring chances. His shot was flicked on by Wells for the Bermudan’s goal.

Nahki Wells – 8

Wasted an early chance but worked hard out of possession. Played an important part in Williams’ goal and reacted well to guide home Semenyo’s shot for the Robins’ second.

Andi Weimann (subbed on for Williams, 77’) – 6

Pressed the Albion midfield well.

Chris Martin (subbed on for Semenyo, 80’) – 6

Held the ball up in the latter stages.

Andy King (subbed on for James, 82’) - 6

Helped see out the win.

Tommy Conway (subbed on for Wells, 88’) - N/A

Tomas Kalas (subbed on for Sykes, 88’) - N/A