MX23RW : Thursday, January 17 15:13:29
Jan 12, 2019 at 3pm UK at ​Ashton Gate Stadium (Bristol)
Attendance: 19,730
Bristol City
2-1
BoltonBolton Wanderers
Taylor (64'), Palmer (66')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Buckley (58')

Bristol City boss Johnson hails strength after battling past Bolton

Bristol City boss Johnson hails strength after battling past Bolton
© Reuters
City came back to beat Wanderers.

Lee Johnson's inspired substitutions gave him confidence that Bristol City can go all the way in the battle for Championship play-off places after they beat Bolton 2-1.

The head coach made a triple change just beyond the hour mark and within five minutes saw two of his replacements, Matty Taylor and debutant Kasey Palmer, net the goals that turned the game on its head.

Bolton had taken a 58th minute lead through Will Buckley's header against the run of play, but City stormed back to stretch their unbeaten run to 10 games and move to within two points of the top six.

A delighted Johnson said: "This time last year we were relying on the same players with tired legs and couldn't maintain the form of the first half of the season.

"Now the strength of our bench is an indication that we are much better prepared to deal with our remaining games.

"You can make changes, but it is down to the attitude of the substitutes and how well they have warmed if they are to make an impact.

"Matty Taylor has made a difference for us before and looked really sharp. Kasey Palmer has only just joined us, but already our fans are chanting his name, which is great.

"We dominated the game from start to finish and it was just a case of finishing off our chances.

"I am very happy with where we are as a squad, but we know what a tough league the Championship is and we can't take our foot off the pedal.

"Some of the football we played today was outstanding. I can see the work we put in on the training ground being transposed into matches."

Bolton led when a mistake by Lloyd Kelly allowed Sammy Ameobi to drive in a cross from the right that was headed home by Buckley.

But Taylor looked inspired from the moment he took the pitch, quickly equalising with a low drive that beat Ben Alnwick at his near post.

Two minutes later the striker latched onto a downward header from Adam Webster at a corner and volleyed the ball across goal for Palmer with a header that just crossed the line before being cleared.

Bolton boss Phil Parkinson had no complaints about the outcome.

"We had to ride our luck at times against a very good side," he said.

"What disappointed me was that we conceded two soft goals. Ben Alnwick has been brilliant for us and I think the shot for their first goal went through a defender's legs, which may have left him unsighted.

"The second goal came from a corner and was not the sort I would expect us to concede against Bristol City.

"We have plenty of physical presence, yet we twice allowed them to get important touches from a corner.

"I have no problem with the application of my players. But we will need to defend better than that if we are to climb the table.

"They are on a good run and it was always going to be a tough game for us. But, having edged in front, we should have taken something.

"We grew into the first half and, although we started the second slowly, we would have been okay had we done better in the two situations we failed to defend."


Click here for more stories about Lee Johnson

Click here for more stories about Bolton Wanderers

Share this article now:
Christian Doidge in action for Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Cup in August 2017
Read Next:
Vince: Doidge is back at Forest Green after 'contractual breaches' by Bolton
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds27166546281854
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd27155746281850
3Norwich CityNorwich27148549351450
4West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom27138655352047
5Middlesbrough271210530191146
6Derby CountyDerby2712783834443
7Bristol City2711883429541
8Birmingham CityBirmingham2791263930939
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2791263931839
10Hull City27116103933639
11Queens Park RangersQPR27116103335-239
12Aston Villa2791174943638
13Swansea CitySwansea27107103632437
14Blackburn RoversBlackburn2791083541-637
15Stoke CityStoke2781183134-335
16Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2788113245-1332
17Brentford27710103937231
18Preston North EndPreston2779113944-530
19Wigan AthleticWigan2785142840-1229
20Millwall2777133343-1028
21Rotherham UnitedRotherham27510122542-1725
22Reading2758143041-1123
23Bolton WanderersBolton2757151840-2222
24Ipswich TownIpswich2739152246-2418

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account