Bristol City 1-2 Watford: Robins’ play-off hopes dented by Hornets defeat | OneFootball

Bristol City saw their Championship playoff hopes dented courtesy of a 2-1 defeat to Watford at Ashton Gate, as their winless run at home extended to three league matches.

Luca Kjerrumgaard netted an early opener for the visitors, only for Scott Twine to level up the game shortly before half-time.

However, a late screamer from Jeremy Ngakia was enough to seal all three points for The Hornets, leaving Bristol four points shy of the playoffs in ninth having played a game more than Wrexham.

As It Happened

The early stages saw no goalmouth action, that was until Kjerrumgaard found the opening goal in the sixth minute from close range after some great work from Giorgi Chakvetadze down the left flank to open up the City defence.

The hosts went looking for an instant equaliser, but Ross McCrorie saw his volley from inside the area well-saved by the Watford keeper before Watford ultimately cleared their lines.

With 20 minutes on the clock, Jason Knight took on a long-range strike that appeared to hit a Watford players arm, however the penalty appeals were waved away by referee Lewis Smith.

Watford nearly doubled their lead shortly before the half hour mark, with Saba Goglichidze’s header hitting the post before being collected by Radek Vitek between the City posts.

Minutes later, Nestory Irankunda almost scored a spectacular goal but his effort from distance sailed just high and wide.

City then got themselves back on level terms after a delightful cross from Adam Randell was headed home by Twine for his tenth league goal of the season – the first time the midfielder has reached double figures since his 2021/22 campaign with MK Dons.

The first-half ended 1-1, but Watford flew out of the traps in the second period as Imran Louza looked to get his side back in front only to be denied by a strong save from Vitek.

Just five minutes later they came close again, this time with Irankunda firing over with a volley from inside the six-yard box.

The winning moment for The Hornets came in the 77th minute, when the ball broke for Ngakia about 25-yards out and the right-back’s shot rifled past Vitek and into the top corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.

Bristol City came close to a late equaliser through Max Bird but his header from inside the area was palmed away by Egil Selvik, wrapping up a crucial three points for Watford and their first win at Ashton Gate since 2012.