Bristol City 1-1 Queens Park Rangers: Marti Cifuentes' improving Rangers gifted a point at Ashton Gate
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Queens Park Rangers at Ashton Gate on Saturday; Robins goalkeeper Max O'Leary's mistake gifts QPR a point after Scott Twine had opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick
Saturday 14 December 2024 15:57, UK
Substitute Scott Twine scored with his first touch, but dominant Bristol City were held to a 1-1 Championship draw by resolute QPR at Ashton Gate.
The midfielder was introduced on the hour mark in place of Yu Hirakawa as City waited to take a free-kick 25 yards out and his curling right-footed shot found the roof of the net, giving goalkeeper Paul Nardi no chance.
The lead lasted only five minutes before Paul Smyth equalised in spectacular fashion, taking advantage of City keeper Max O'Leary's misjudged race from his area to round him 40 yards out and shoot into an unguarded net from near the right touchline.
QPR's defence was key to the result, withstanding heavy pressure for much of the game to earn a battling point.
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City made two changes from the 1-1 midweek draw at Sunderland, with George Earthy and Nahki Wells replacing Marcus McGuane and the injured Sinclair Armstrong, while the Rangers side showed one change from the victory over Oxford, Lucas Andersen coming in for Nicolas Madsen.
The home team almost took a second-minute lead when a free-kick from the left was cleared into the path of Anis Mehmeti, whose low, left-footed shot from outside the area struck a post.
It set the tone for a one-sided first half in which O'Leary was a virtual spectator.
Rangers were penned back for long periods but defended their box strongly and limited their opponents to few chances.
Max Bird's 20th-minute shot from distance brought a comfortable save from Nardi and a similar effort from centre-back Luke McNally after 41 minutes went wide.
In first half stoppage time former Rangers striker Wells had a header blocked on the line, but City went off at the interval hugely frustrated.
The visitors made a change at the break, sending on Alfie Lloyd up front in place of Rayan Kolli.
But the pattern remained the same as Hirakawa had a 51st-minute shot blocked for a corner.
Wells then had a great chance to put City ahead but headed wide when the ball broke to him 12 yards out.
There were huge cheers from travelling fans behind the goal when Rangers bucked the trend by winning a 56th-minute corner, but again O'Leary was untroubled.
Twine's immediate impact after Cam Pring had been fouled by Sam Field at last brought the breakthrough, but City were then caught on the break by a sucker punch, committing too many men forward and leaving O'Leary exposed.
The hosts poured forward in the closing stages, but it was Rangers who almost snatched victory in stoppage time when Steve Cook's shot brought a diving save from O'Leary and substitute Lloyd's deflected effort went just wide.
The managers
Bristol City's Liam Manning:
"It's not the first time we have had to reflect on not making the most of being on top in games and, if we are to get to where we want to be, we have to improve in that respect.
"I can't fault the lads for their effort and commitment, but it sometimes comes down to how you handle pressure when there are opportunities to score.
"That's something I can't control. The players have to step up and take responsibility. In the last week alone, we should have had four more points.
"Max O'Leary has held up his hand over the Rangers goal. He should have stayed in his box because we had players making covering runs.
"But he has saved us in other games. I am more concerned with failure to make the most of at least three clear chances.
"We are making progress in other areas, but we cannot go on dominating possession without having enough to show for it. That has to change and quickly.
"I was going to send on Scott Twine in any case, but speeded it up when I saw we had a free-kick in a dangerous position. He has real quality in that situation and it was a brilliant strike."
QPR's Marti Cifuentes:
"I learned a new English expression this week, which was to 'grind it out' and that's what my team did today.
"The first-half display was not good enough against one of the best sides in the league when it comes to energy and counter-attack.
"I would be blind if I didn't react to that and know we have to improve. But I am also very proud of my players for the way they held out against Bristol's pressure.
"Paul Smyth works so hard for the team on and off the ball so it was great to see him get his goal.
"I thought he might have gone down under the goalkeeper's challenge, which would have brought a red card, but he was honest in keeping his feet and it was not an easy finish.
"Alfie Lloyd did a good job getting us further up the field after going on as a substitute for the second half and the last 20 minutes were more like what I want from my team.
"So I have mixed feelings over the game. We have to be better than we were in the first half and there is work to do to make than happen."
