Bristol Live’s Bristol City player ratings after the Reds kicked off 2026 with a 5-0 win over Portsmouth on New Year’s Day

19:30, 01 Jan 2026Updated 20:33, 01 Jan 2026

Bristol City midfielder Adam Randell celebrates after scoring against Portsmouth(Image: Photo by Simon Galloway/Getty Images)Max O’Leary – 7

The Bristol City number one had a relatively quiet first half against Portsmouth as his work was limited to a couple of straightforward interventions from crosses and free-kicks. The Ireland international was slightly busier after the break, even if never really tested, but pulled off a couple of smart saves from range to secure a second clean sheet of the campaign.

READ MORE: Bristol City ‘in exchange’ over Josh Stokes as Gerhard Struber lifts lid on Robins’ loan plansREAD MORE: Bristol City vs Portsmouth live: Struber makes three changes as Bell returns from Wycombe loanGeorge Tanner – 7

Having returned to the starting line-up for the first time since early December in place of Rob Dickie, George Tanner was his usual reliable, if not massively eye-catching, self on the right side of the Bristol City back three. The 26-year-old was very rarely beaten out of possession and kept things simple on the ball. He has proven to be a very, very reliable performer at Championship level this season.

Zak Vyner – 7.5

After a couple of slightly shaky moments early on under high balls, Zak Vyner found his rhythm at the heart of Bristol City’s backline. His passing out of defence kick-started a couple of nice attacking moves for the Robins as he was willing to take on the difficult option from time to time. Picked up where he left off after the break, as he was in the middle of a lot of what the Robins did well. Keeping him at Ashton Gate this month could prove to be crucial to the Reds’ play-off hopes.

Rob Atkinson (off for Cam Pring, 63′) – 7

What more do you expect from Rob Atkinson? Once again, the 27-year-old was solid as a rock on the left side of Bristol City’s back three and showed a willingness to carry the ball into midfield and occasionally even the final third in possession. His partnership with Neto Borges looked impressive, and Gerhard Struber had the luxury of managing his minutes thanks to the Robins’ commanding performance.

Ross McCrorie (off for Yu Hirakawa, 56’) – 7

In the words of Gerhard Struber, he is just a little bit Ross McCrorie. The Scotsman didn’t do anything particularly flash against Portsmouth, which perhaps speaks to the standard of the away side’s showing, but looked great both on and off the ball throughout. Despite the fact that he played less than an hour, no one won more duels than the 27-year-old, who was managed well by his head coach.

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Adam Randell – 8.5

Where else could we start? What a hit that was! Adam Randell had to wait a fair while for his first goal in Bristol City colours against Millwall, but he made it two in the space of just four days when he rifled into the top right corner in the first half. Away from his goal, the 24-year-old was his usual, busy self in the middle of the park as he broke up play brilliantly and proved creative in possession before he came incredibly close to a second deep in the second half. He may have only been a City player for a matter of months, but he has quickly become a fan favourite and for very good reason.

Jason Knight (off for Leo Pecover 78’) – 8

There have been signs over the last couple of weeks that the Jason Knight Bristol City supporters have come to expect over his two years at Ashton Gate is getting closer to returning after injury. Well, his display against John Mousinho’s side on New Year’s Day was vintage Knight. The Robins skipper was the beating heart of Gerhard Struber’s side and combined superbly with Adam Randell to keep the Reds ticking throughout. To top it all off, it was his smart play that set up Anis Mehmeti’s goal.

Neto Borges – 7.5

Another player who has proven to be an inspired bit of summer business. Neto Borges grew into the contest against Portsmouth and had the Pompey backline’s number for much of the second half. While he may have been helped by an assist, his ball into the area for Scott Twine’s goal was excellent and was just one of many he fizzed across the box on New Year’s Day. He is very different to Cam Pring, but equally as effective.

Neto Borges celebrates in front of the Bristol City fans after the Robins’ win at Portsmouth(Image: Bristol City)Scott Twine (off for Sam Bell, 56’) – 7.5

Like all five of the goals at Ashton Gate on Thursday, Scott Twine’s finish was superb. The Bristol City number 10 showed great awareness and composure to both control Neto Borges’ deflected cross and fire into the back of the net via the hand of Nicolas Schmid. He carved out a couple of other good scoring chances for his teammates before making way early in the second half.

Anis Mehmeti – 7.5

Perhaps because it came after Adam Randell’s screamer, Anis Mehmeti’s eighth goal of the season slipped slightly under the radar on Thursday afternoon, but the Bristol City winger’s finish was also excellent. Yes, he may have had the benefit of a slight deflection, but he left the goalkeeper with little chance of saving as he drove low into the bottom left corner. Mehmeti should have perhaps left BS3 with more than a single goal involvement to his name, as he was unable to make the most of a couple of good openings and on more than one occasion, he picked the wrong pass.

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Emil Riis (off for Sinclair Armstrong, 56’) – 6.5

Although he didn’t see an awful lot of the ball in the opening 45 minutes, Emil Riis did enough to keep the Portsmouth backline busy and create space for his Bristol City teammates as he showed a willingness to run the channels and hold up the ball. Perhaps one of the quieter members of the Robins’ starting line-up, but by no means poor in a game where others around him caught the eye more.

Substitutes:Sam Bell – 7

On his return to Ashton Gate, the Bristol City academy graduate was a livewire off the bench. His work for Sinclair Armstrong’s first goal was superb and just one of the bright moments he had in possession.

Sinclair Armstrong – 8

What a strange showing! In the space of less than 45 minutes, Sinclair Armstrong managed to match and then double his 2025 goal tally in 2026 and perhaps should have scored even more. I’ll ignore the two poor misses because his two goals were incredibly well taken, the second especially. Hopefully, that’s a major confidence booster ahead of the remainder of the campaign.

Yu Hirakawa – 7

Deployed at right wing-back in the second half, the Japanese winger’s cross for Sinclair Armstrong’s second strike was impressive, and he went about the rest of his business well.

Cam Pring – 6.5

Solid when introduced in place of Rob Atkinson.

Leo Pecover – 6.5READ MORE: Bristol City January transfer latest as Gerhard Struber issues encouraging striker search updateREAD MORE: Ranel Young plan mapped out as Bristol City expected to confirm arrival of ex-Liverpool prospect