Birmingham City recovered from conceding a goal after 40 seconds to win at Ashton Gate and end Bristol City’s four-game winning run in the Championship.
Jamie Paterson capitalised on Marc Roberts’ weak backpass to round goalkeeper Lee Camp and give the hosts a perfect start, but Lee Johnson’s side were 2-1 behind by half-time.
Scott Hogan’s tap-in equaliser for Blues, after Dan Bentley had saved Jeremie Bela’s powerful effort, was the first goal that the Robins had conceded in 383 minutes of league action.
The visitors took the lead when a right-wing cross from 16-year-old Jude Bellingham was glanced into his own net by Andreas Weimann at the near post.
And they wrapped up victory in second-half stoppage time, Lukas Jutkiewicz showing great strength to hold off the home defence and then great poise to loft in Blues’ third over Bentley.
Trailing by a single goal for much of the second half, Bristol City brought on Nahki Wells for his home debut after the interval, but the introduction of the £5m January signing from Burnley and a change in formation failed to produce a leveller.
Famara Diedhiou wasted their best opportunity, lifting his volleyed effort over the bar from 10 yards after being picked out in the centre of the box by Ashley Williams.
Blues are now eight games unbeaten in all competitions and registered successive league wins for the first time since October, helped by Hogan continuing his fine start with the club after joining on loan from city rivals Aston Villa.
The Republic of Ireland international striker has scored in both of his appearances for Birmingham, after netting a debut goal against Nottingham Forest on 1 February.
Bristol City, who would have gone third in the Championship and within three points of leaders West Bromwich Albion had they won, instead will find themselves outside the top six if Preston beat Wigan on Saturday.
Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol:
“It’s an opportunity missed for us, it’s a fantastic start, we really came out of the blocks quickly, which was part of our game plan.
“Then I think we got a bit eager, two attacking midfielders were going a bit too early, Hogan was stretching us with his runs in behind the defence and it just left too many midfield duals lost through not quite being there in time or not being physical enough in all areas of the pitch.
“That led to a spell where we didn’t stop crosses and we just didn’t have that team unity that we’ve had in the last four or five games.
“I don’t know why that is, it’s very frustrating for me to admit that, because it’s something that we tend to do at home but not away from home.”
Birmingham boss Pep Clotet told BBC WM:
“The good thing is that we managed the game to what the game required. We showed we can do both things (good attack and defence).
“We played outstanding football in the first half and scored two goals against a team who had not conceded in their past four games.
“Lukas was outstanding and I want to congratulate him on scoring his 100th goal.”
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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