“Mamadou Doumbia is booked for an early foul, setting a physical tone to the contest.”
“Dominic Ballard converts to put Bristol City ahead, assisted by Rio Cardines after a series of home chances forced a corner.”
Pivotal“A heated argument on the pitch sees four players - Edo Kayembe, Jason Knight, Branimir Mlacic and Joe Williams - all booked in the same minute.”
Bristol City
Watford
Outstanding performance
Watford•GoalkeeperBristol City rode their luck territorially but were ruthless when it mattered, converting one of their few clear openings while restricting Watford's dominant possession to largely fruitless probing. Ballard's 31st-minute header, following a build-up of blocked shots from Joe Williams and Edo Kayembe before Rio Cardines' corner delivery, was the difference. Watford controlled the ball (64% possession, 491 passes to Bristol's 270) but managed just two shots on target all game, a damning reflection of their inability to break down a well-organised home side who out-shot them 17-10 and won the ball back repeatedly with 19 tackles. A chaotic 54th-minute passage saw four players booked in a mass confrontation, but neither side could summon a second-half goal, leaving Bristol City to close out a result that will lift them in the table while Watford's promotion credentials take another dent.
How entertaining was this match?
Corner awarded.
Edo Kayembe takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Lorent Tolaj takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Shot - Gibson Yah Head Shot Saved
Gibson Yah is on, and Adam Randell is off.
On comes Lisav Eissat, off goes Noah Eile.
Myron Boadu takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Joe Williams takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Rio Cardines takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Matthew Pollock receives a yellow card.
Lorent Tolaj takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Cameron Pring comes on for Sam Greenwood.
Myron Boadu comes on for Mamadou Doumbia.
Lorent Tolaj takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Sam Greenwood takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Jed Wallace is substituted off for Yu Hirakawa.
On comes Lorent Tolaj, off goes Dominic Ballard.
Stephy Mavididi comes on for Amin Nabizada.
Othmane Maamma comes on for Rocco Vata.
Substitution: Albert Eames comes on for Branimir Mlacic.
Rocco Vata takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Hector Kyprianou takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Hector Kyprianou takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Joe Williams takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
Joe Williams receives a yellow card.
Edo Kayembe receives a yellow card.
Jason Knight Yellow CardJason Knight receives a yellow card.
Branimir MlacicYellow CardBranimir Mlacic receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
Amin Nabizada takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
George Tanner takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Noah Eile's header is blocked.
First half ends with a score of 1-0.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Shot - Dominic Ballard Head Shot Goal
assist: Rio Cardines
Goal! Dominic Ballard scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Rio Cardines.
Corner awarded.
Edo Kayembe takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Joe Williams takes a shot with his head but misses.
Amin Nabizada receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
Mamadou DoumbiaYellow CardYellow card for Mamadou Doumbia.
Corner awarded.
Yu Hirakawa takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Yu Hirakawa takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Yu Hirakawa takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Sam Greenwood takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Luca Kjerrumgaard takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Amin Nabizada takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Shot - Jason Knight Head Shot Missed
Offside.
Kick-off! The referee is Oliver Langford.
Both Bristol City and Watford arrive off the back of frustrating defeats, making this Friday night clash at Ashton Gate a chance for either side to arrest a worrying slide. With Watford struggling badly on the road and Bristol City stumbling after a promising run, the hosts look best placed to bounce back.
