Bristol City forward Emil Riis scored his first Robins hat-trick as Gerhard Struber’s side beat Watford in the FA Cup third round

Bristol City forward Emil Riis celebrates after scoring against Watford(Image: Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Emil Riis and Gerhard Struber spoke about the timing of the forward’s attacking runs prior to Bristol City’s win over Watford, the Robins boss has revealed after the Dane’s hat-trick helped the Reds book their place in the FA Cup fourth round.

City bounced back from their defeat at the hands of Preston North End last time out in impressive fashion as they beat the Hornets 5-1 at Ashton Gate. Three goals from Riis were separated by an Anis Mehmeti strike and a Rob Atkinson header on an eventful evening in BS3.

The 27-year-old headed the Robins into the lead after just two minutes when he nodded Neto Borges’ cross into the bottom left corner before he then turned provider to set up Mehmeti’s ninth of the campaign later in the first half.

OPINION

READ MORE: Bristol City 5-1 Watford reaction: Riis scores hat-trick as Robins secure place in fourth round

Atkinson extended the lead to three when he steered Scott Twine’s free-kick home shortly after the hour mark, but it was Riis who stole the show in the minutes that followed. First, the forward found the bottom right corner with a low shot, before he chipped over Nathan Baxter following a clever George Earthy pass.

Ultimately, the Dane left BS3 with the match ball tucked under his arm, having set a new standard for himself in the process.

“We spoke before we jumped in this game about forward runs,” Struber explained post-match when asked about Riis’ showing. “About the timing when we come from the back, and I would say today, he did it on a really good level.

“Especially when you watch Watford the last few weeks and what form they are in, then I would say we are really happy with how he stresses the last line from them. I am really happy [with] how he did it today.

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“I think that I have a big trust in Emil Riis, but also in Sinclair’s development,” the head coach continued. “Also, in the end, I have the one or other player that can play up front – Anis Mehmeti – so I have in this group of players a big trust.

“Especially with Emil, when he comes more and more with a good consistency on a level like that, then it’s for us also better. Then he shows us how important striker [he] is for us. He is so clear and so cold in front of the goal and used the chances. This gives, in the end, the whole game a push. This pushes every single player, how he interpreted his personal moments today.

“It’s a new standard, what he shows us, and, of course, also a little bit the expectation in this direction also grows.”

Saturday’s FA Cup win is the second time in just three matches that the Robins have been able to score five goals in a single game after they produced a similarly special performance against Portsmouth on New Year’s Day.

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Between those two commanding victories, however, City were left frustrated by Preston North End as they were beaten 2-0 by the Lilywhites last Sunday. Naturally, that result saw supporters, staff, and players alike left feeling more than a little deflated.

While the win over Watford does little to change the Reds’ league position ahead of the next weekend’s trip to Oxford United, it has provided a much-needed boost for those in the Robins’ changing room.

“I think it was important that we bounced back, and it’s not only that we jump in the next round in the FA Cup,” the head coach told Bristol Live. “It’s also that we jump in, in a good feeling, in a good mood with our performance.

“I think today, the performance and result go hand in hand and gives us, of course, a push for more.”

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