Bristol City 2 Portsmouth 1: Neil Allen's verdict - Excellent Blues undone by sublime moment amid encouraging display

A stunning late strike against the run of play bundled Pompey out of the FA Cup, yet they can be far from disheartened.
Callum Johnson accepts the congratulations of his team-mates after grabbing an equaliser against Bristol City on the stroke of half-time. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImagesCallum Johnson accepts the congratulations of his team-mates after grabbing an equaliser against Bristol City on the stroke of half-time. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages
Callum Johnson accepts the congratulations of his team-mates after grabbing an equaliser against Bristol City on the stroke of half-time. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages

In terms of the Blues’ performance, reassuringly there was no trace of rustiness following 23 days without a fixture.

Certainly goalscorer Callum Johnson, Lee Brown, Tom Naylor and man-of-the-match Andy Cannon shone brightest among many good displays at Bristol City.

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What’s more, elimination from the FA Cup at the third-round stage with such a fixture backlog on the horizon is no great hardship.

Defeat. Yet removed from the competition by Championship opposition - and the visitors’ display - represents bowing out with distinction and a touch of respect.

The decisive moment arrived on 82 minutes, unfortunately during a late Pompey purple patch when they were threatening to grab a winner.

Chris Martin’s sublime shot from the edge of the box sealed a 2-1 outcome - no doubt prompting relief among the hosts.

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Earlier, Famara Diedhiou’s excellent shot had given the Robins a 19th-minute leading, the first goal the Blues had conceded in 495 minutes of football in all competitions.

That was levelled on the stroke of half-time by Johnson, giving Kenny Jackett’s men a deserved interval 1-1 scoreline.

Indeed, the Blues threatened considerably more than their hosts as the second period wore on, yet they just lacked that clinical finishing edge.

Sure enough, the final moment of action was keeper Dan Bentley producing a one-handed save to deny substitute Jordy Hiwula’s close-range effort.

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As it was, Bristol City claimed the 2-1 win to move into the fourth round of the FA Cup, with the clear disappointment on Pompey faces reflecting how well they felt they performed.

With Ronan Curtis missing from Pompey duty after feeling unwell, despite testing negative for coronavirus in the week, Michael Jacobs was handed his first start since Sunderland in October, lining up on the left wing.

Elsewhere in the side, Jack Whatmough had to wait to make his return following coronavirus.

Rasmus Nicolaisen started the 2-0 win at Hull in the Blues’ last fixture, so kept his place alongside Sean Raggett in defence.

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Instead Whatmough was named on the nine-man bench which has been expanded for FA Cup competition.

With Cam Pring back at Bristol City following his Fratton Park loan, there was also a recall for Lee Brown at left-back.

The Blues vice-captain had been absent through a hamstring injury, but was fit-again and back in the side.

Pompey’s bench included out-of-favour duo Paul Downing and James Bolton, along with Byrn Morris.

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While Alex Bass was out with a minor calf problem, with his role as back-up keeper taken by Duncan Turnbull.

In the opening changes, Callum Johnson swung in a dangerous cross from the right which skipped off the top of the head of the leaping Ryan Williams.

The ball then cannoned off a City defender and bounced towards goal, before comfortably gathered by keeper Dan Bentley.

At the other end, Chris Martin cut in from the left and attempted to move along the byline, but Craig MacGillivray did superbly to come out and block at the near post.

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The ball looped into the air towards the far post, but was soon cleared by the Blues to prevent any further threat.

The Robins won the first corner of the game on 10 minutes after a free-kick was headed behind, but Antoine Semenyo’s resulting shot was blazed over the bar.

Pompey’s first real attempt arrived on 18 minutes, when Marcus Harness received a pass down the left, cut inside and drilled a right-footed shot from outside the box over the bar.

Moments later, City had taken the lead.

Famara Diedhiou twisted and turned Raggett on the edge of the box, completely outfoxing the defender, before drilling a superb shot into the far corner.

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It was excellent work from the striker and, following an even opening during which the Blues looked confident, the hosts led 1-0.

It also represented the first goal Jackett’s men had conceded in 495 minutes of football in all competitions.

Pompey were defiant and when Johnson put in another good cross from the right, Jacobs headed it back towards John Marquis.

The visitors’ leading scorer switched and tried to find an opening, but he was soon crowded out and his eventual shot blocked.

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Nicolaisen collected Pompey’s first booking of the afternoon on 33 minutes following a mis-time slide challenge on Semenyo just outside the box.

Semenyo again caused problems down the left channel when he wriggled free and fired in a right-footed cross which MacGillivray managed to deflect wide as it sped across him.

However, on the stroke of half-time the match was level, through excellent work from the impressive Andy Cannon.

The midfielder launched an attack down the left, combining with Harness, before pulling the ball back from the byline.

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There was Johnson at the back of the penalty area, who drove a first-time right-footed shot into the far corner to make it 1-1.

With Nicolaisen on a yellow card and being troubled, Jackett made the decision to introduce Whatmough at the break in his place.

An early touch from the Gosport lad saw him head a dangerous cross from the right clear, with Tommy Rowe following up by lashing the ball well over the bar.

On 60 minutes, a cross came in from the left which was met with a first-time Semenyo shot which drew a sprawling stop from MacGillivray.

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Pompey made their second substitution on 65 minutes, with Ellis Harrison replacing Marquis.

Immediately, Alfie Mawson and Hakeeb Adelakun were replaced by Taylor Moore and Nahki Wells the hosts.

Pompey were now enjoying a decent spell and Naylor’s shot was saved by Bentley, with the keeper then stopping Jacobs’ right-footed effort from outside the box.

Harrison had a great chance to net on 80 minutes when Harness flighted a ball to the far post, but his angled header lacked power and the keeper held it.

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Then, on 83 minutes, Martin crashed a wonderful right-footed effort from the edge of the area into the far corner of the net.

It was very much against the play, but a sublime finish to settle the occasion in the Championship club’s favour.

Although there was still time for Bentley to keep out substitute Jordy Hiwula’s far-post shot with one hand in the final action of the game.

And it was Bristol City who progressed, leaving Pompey to concentrate on the league, which is no bad thing.

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