Bristol City 'bring the fire' to earn a massive three points

Robins into the top six after win at Portsmouth

Daniel Clark Content Editor

15:52, 30 Nov 2025

Anis Mehmeti of Bristol City celebrates their side’s first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at Fratton Park, Portsmouth
29/11/2025

It was a vital win and good Saturday afternoon for Bristol City who secured a 1-0 win over Portsmouth.

Early “Fire” Bucked the Trend: Manager Gerhard Struber was delighted that his team started the game with high aggression and intensity, a clear contrast to their recent slow starts in away matches. This early “fire” was a direct response to their disappointing midweek defeat and helped set the tone for a vital victory.
Mehmeti’s Decisive Goal: Winger Anis Mehmeti scored the only goal of the game in the 17th minute with a powerful header, marking his sixth goal of the campaign. The goal was well-deserved after Bristol City dominated the opening exchanges, enjoying up to 75% possession at one point.
Defensive Resilience Secured the Win: Despite the comfortable first half, City was forced to defend resolutely in the second half as Portsmouth increased pressure and possession. The backline, which included standout performances from George Tanner and Rob Dickie, managed to hold firm and secure the clean sheet against a desperate home side.
Jason Knight’s Absence Clarified: Captain Jason Knight was absent from the squad, but this was a strategic decision to manage his workload rather than a new injury setback. Struber stated that they are carefully managing his return to ensure he can maintain stability on the field and avoid further problems.
Scott Twine’s Transformation: Midfielder Scott Twine delivered a highly involved performance, showcasing significant development in his off-the-ball work, which surprised even his head coach. He has been dubbed “Twiney 2.0” and praised his commitment to the physical demands of the gegenpressing system.
Vitek and the Backline Shone: Goalkeeper Radek Vitek earned his seventh clean sheet of the season and pulled off a magnificent late save to deny Colby Bishop a point-blank equalizer. The defense collectively performed brilliantly, successfully neutralizing Portsmouth’s key attackers and defending “with everything that we had in the tank.”
A “Massive” Three Points: The victory ended a three-match winless streak away from home and was described by Struber as “massive” for the team’s confidence. The win lifted the Robins back into the Championship play-off places, matching the club’s away win record from their last play-off campaign.

OPINION

Bristol City ‘bring the fire’ to earn a massive three points

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