Saints 2 Bristol City 0
By: Mike | April 7th, 2008
Saints saved their best performance of the season for the visit of league leaders Bristol City and won a vital three points. From the off Saints played a high-tempo direct passing game, playing to the strengths of Stern John and Bradley Wright-Phillips up front, and City couldn’t handle it. Aside from a brief spell after half-time Saints outplayed City and would have won by more if it hadn’t been for some superb stops from Basso in goal and some dodgy refereeing.
The first goal came about shortly before half-time as Jermaine Wright crossed for Euell who twice headed the ball across goal before John volleyed in from a tight angle. Basso made several superb saves, especially from Mario Licka and Wright-Phillips, and Saints were denied a clear penalty when a City defender punched the ball clear from a cross. Eventually Saints clinched the points when Euell stabbed home from yet another save from Wright-Phillips after a superb cross by Licka.
Euell’s strong running and role in both goals probably earnt him the man of the match award but the whole team played well for once. Licka, Idiakez and Safri provide a bit of composure and creativity with Vignal (until going off injured) and Wright getting forward well from the full-back positions to support attacks. Perry and Lucketti did very well to form a new defensive partnership at short notice and contained City with relatively few alarms.
City were poor but credit to Nigel Pearson and the players who showed suprisingly good levels of belief and confidence after recent results. Thanks to some other results going our way we moved up to 19th, although Barnsley and Wednesday still have games in hand. Aside from the earlier result at Wembley the only blot on the day was some trouble after the game where City fans set about some local hoodies at the nearby car dealerships.
Category: Match Reports
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