Bristol City 2-1 Norwich City: Liam Manning is thrilled as Robins soar high

By Richard Latham

BRISTOL CITY 2

Sykes 6, Wells 23

NORWICH CITY 1

Sainz 82

Liam Manning was a proud head coach after his Bristol City side had shown quality and grit to climb into the play-off places with the narrowest of victories on Friday night against Norwich City.

Mark Sykes curled a shot beyond the reach of keeper George Long to give the home side a sixth-minute lead and Nahki Wells doubled the advantage with a low shot from an angle after 23 minutes.

But Norwich always looked dangerous and after Borja Sainz gave them hope with a close-range shot from Callum Doyle’s 82nd-minute cross, they went close to an equaliser on several occasions in a nerve-jangling finale.

The Robins could only consider the points safe when a last-minute free-kick from substitute Marcelino Nunez flashed inches wide and Manning admitted the final whistle came as a relief.

Fantastic

He said: “It would have been nicer if we had not conceded the late goal, but the lads then put bodies on the line and I couldn’t be prouder of the way they have handled a really busy programme.

“They are a fantastic group.

“Yes, we can manage the late stages of games better, but we have a lot of young players.

“They create some great moments and are prepared to fight for the team when we have backs to the wall.

“Tonight we showed some real quality going forward.

“Of course, I will look at the table and I am delighted our fans have something to get excited about.

“But it will only mean something after 46 games and my job is to keep everyone focused because only by continuing to work hard can we hope to achieve our aims.”

ON A HIGH: Nahki Wells celebrates scoring Bristol City’s second
PICTURES: Alamy

Match action

The Canaries responded well to Sykes’ early strike and City goalkeeper Max O’Leary had to make diving saves in quick succession from Doyle and Emiliano Marcondes.

Soon afterwards Sainz hit the foot of a post with a low 14th-minute drive.

Wells’ goal was a reward for Bristol City’s press, which had their opponents in difficulty building from the back.

But still Norwich threatened and Josh Sargent shot into the side-netting from another good opening.

The visitors were wide open to Bristol City’s counter-attacks.

Only Wells will know how he failed to make it 3-0 after 36 minutes when Long dived to parry a Max Bird shot and was grounded when the striker moved unmarked onto the rebound.

Somehow the goalkeeper recovered to deflect the shot over.

Sainz shot wide from six yards from Kellen Fisher’s cross with O’Leary’s goal at his mercy and the game looked far from over as a contest at the break.

TAKE THAT: Nahki Wells fires home to double the Robins’ lead

Second half

Norwich began the second half brightly and Ante Crnac fired over from Doyle’s cross.

Bristol City sent on powerful striker Sinclair Armstrong for Wells and started to play more direct.

A slick move down the right after 67 minutes ended with Sykes having a shot deflected for a corner.

Still, Norwich refused to lie down and Sargent forced a flying save from O’Leary with an effort from distance after 75 minutes.

At the other end, Armstrong fired into the side-netting.

Sainz’s goal gave Norwich renewed belief and they kept going to the death, but when a last-minute free-kick from Nunez flashed wide their hopes were dashed.

Star Man – Mark Sykes (Bristol City)