Bristol City ended a more than two-month wait for a home win and continued Roy Hodgson’s perfect start as interim boss as they capped off the Easter weekend with a 1-0 win over Sheffield United on Monday afternoon.
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Mark Sykes’ first-half goal and an inspired second-half showing from Radek Vitek between the posts proved to be enough for the Robins to get the better of the Blades and claim a first three points in front of their home fans since January.
Thanks to the sterling work from their Manchester United loanee and an impressive defensive effort, the Reds were able to see the win out, closing the gap to the play-off places to seven points, with just five games to play this term.
Here is how we rated the players…
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Radek Vitek – 9
Bristol City’s first-choice stopper had a relatively quiet first half against Sheffield United, but that changed after the restart. Once again, the Manchester United loanee was probably the pick of the bunch in City colours as he pulled off several incredible saves, with the one to deny Mark McGuinness the stand-out. The fans were chanting ‘Super Radek Vitek in goal’, and it was more than deserved.
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Jason Knight – 7.5
Deployed at right-back in a slightly surprising turn of events, Bristol City’s skipper was his usual reliable self. Jason Knight gave his all against the Blades as he battled in and out of possession to ensure that he came out of the majority of his duels with the ball, whilst also adding an attacking presence out wide in the first half. A captain’s display, out of position.
Noah Eile – 7.5
One of two players to be highlighted by Roy Hodgson after the full-time whistle, Noah Eile was more than worthy of his clean sheet on Easter Monday. Bristol City’s deadline day addition went about his business well and very rarely looked troubled out of possession. The 23-year-old is looking more and more comfortable in the Championship with each passing week.
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Neto Borges – 8
The other Bristol City defender to have a light shone on him in Roy Hodgson’s press conference, Neto Borges, picked up where he left off at Charlton Athletic on Good Friday. No player won more duels or tackles than the Brazilian, who also provided an outlet on the ball, with a couple of his passes cutting through the lines effectively. It has come as a surprise just how well he’s slotted in as part of the Robins’ back four over the Easter weekend.
Neto Borges of Bristol City on the ball -Credit:Will Cooper/Shutterstock
Cam Pring – 5.5
Like many Bristol City fans, Cam Pring appeared to think he was destined for an early shower when he gave away a foul on the edge of the Robins’ penalty area, just minutes after receiving a first-half yellow card. The defender was perhaps fortunate that referee Lewis Smith opted to keep his cards in his pocket and had to tread carefully from that point on. Defended well whilst walking a tightrope, but was lucky to still be on the field at that stage.
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Sam Morsy – 7
Restored to the starting line-up in the absence of Ross McCrorie, Sam Morsy produced perhaps his best Championship showing in Bristol City colours against the Blades. The 34-year-old broke play up effectively from the base of midfield and kept the Reds ticking on the ball. He spread the ball on occasion in the first half to kickstart attacks and appeared to progress the ball wherever possible, notably the pass into Max Bird in the build-up to the winning goal.
Bristol City’s Sam Morsy celebrates following Emil Riis’ goal against Watford -Credit:Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Adam Randell – 7
At risk of repeating what I write about Adam Randell most weeks, the 25-year-old was his usual reliable self in Bristol City’s midfield. The former Plymouth Argyle man feels like the beating heart of the Robins side, and while he didn’t do anything to extravagant against the Blades, he did the simple bits excellently. Perhaps Radek Vitek’s competition for player of the season.
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Mark Sykes (off for Sam Bell, 82’) – 7.5
Perhaps the calmest man inside Ashton Gate when he opened the scoring, Mark Sykes gave Bristol City the lead midway through the first half, making a challenging finish look simple. With Adam Davies off his line, the Ireland international controlled a bouncing ball and calmly slotted into the bottom left corner from outside the area with ease. Was otherwise solid out of possession, assisting Jason Knight where possible, whilst providing a threat from the right flank.
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Scott Twine (off for Tomi Horvat, 89’) – 6.5
It feels harsh to lay too much blame at Bristol City number 10’s door for his missed chance midway through the first half, with Japhet Tanganga’s touch taking the ball out of his reach, but he will feel he still should have scored from such close range. Threaded a number of clever balls behind the Blades’ backline in the first half and popped up with a smart pass or two after the restart. They just didn’t quite produce the goods they did at Charlton.
Max Bird (off for George Earthy, 75’) – 6.5
Max Bird had a big hand in Bristol City’s opener, albeit with an over-hit pass. While the ball through had too much on it for Emil Riis to gather, it carved out the chance from which Mark Sykes scored. The 25-year-old had some nice touches and produced some exciting flicks. Although he was good once again, he perhaps didn’t have the same influence he managed at Charlton.
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Emil Riis (off for Delano Burgzorg, 74’) – 6.5
After a difficult afternoon at The Valley on Good Friday, Emil Riis provided plenty of energy at the top end of the pitch for Bristol City in the first half against Sheffield United. The Dane consistently got into good positions and, offered an outlet and would have been good value for a goal or an assist, but both his and his teammates’ final actions didn’t quite have the cutting edge – or luck – needed. His press forced the mistake which led to Mark Sykes’ goal, on an afternoon he did little to harm his reputation.
Substitutes:Delano Burgzorg – 5.5
Introduced with a quarter of an hour, Delano Burgzorg played more centrally than he has done for Bristol City in the past. While he didn’t do much wrong, he didn’t leave a mark. Time is running out for him to do so in red and white.
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George Earthy – 6Sam Bell – N/ATomi Horvat – N/A
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