Southampton 2-2 Bristol City: Saints unbeaten run extended to 20
Southampton 2-2 Bristol City: Saints unbeaten run extended to 20 Promotion hopefuls, Southampton, were held to a 2-2 draw by Bristol City at St. Mary’s this evening, a result that sees the Saints extend their recent unbeaten run to 20 games in all competitions; their last loss came to Hull City in January. The Robins opened the scoring inside five minutes, when Ryan Manning turned the ball into his own net following a brilliant cross from Scott Twine.
Manning somewhat made up for his error on the half-hour mark, though, when his free-kick found Cyle Larin, who picked out the bottom corner from close range. Bristol City academy graduate Sam Bell regained the lead for his side in the 63rd minute, a flicked header finding the far corner from a set-piece. However, Ross Stewart made all the difference just minutes after he was subbed on, rising highest in the Bristol City box to head home from close range.
As It Happened Bristol City boss Roy Hodgson made three changes to his starting side for tonight’s game, following the Robins’ 4-2 defeat at home to Norwich last time out. Those changes saw Tomi Horvat, Delano Burgzorg and Sam Bell introduced from the start, with Emil Riis and Mark Sykes dropping to the bench, whilst Adam Randell missed out through injury. Tonda Eckert also made three changes to his Southampton team following a dramatic win over Swansea this past weekend.
Burgzorg flew clean through on goal in the opening minutes, but the Dutchman couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet in time and saw his shot saved by Daniel Peretz. The travelling Robins fans didn’t have to wait long for the opener, however, when Twine’s cross saw Manning head the ball into the back of his own net, whilst under pressure from Bell at the back post. Shea Charles was shown the first yellow card of the game shortly before the half-hour mark following a full-blooded tackle on Horvat, a sixth yellow card of the season for the Northern Ireland international.
The Saints found the equaliser moments later, when Larin poked home from close range off the back of a delightful free-kick delivery from Manning, somewhat avenging himself for his earlier own goal. Burgzorg and Morsy took aim from range before the break, but neither player could find the target, drawing an interesting first half to a close. Radek Vítek was called into action instantly in the second half, denying Cameron Archer with a great save to his left-hand side.