Bristol City climbed back to second in the Championship thanks to a Severnside derby win over Cardiff, secured by Chris Martin’s early goal Dean Holden’s side moved two points behind the faltering leaders, Reading, with a gritty win They are likely to be overtaken on Saturday but victory in south Wales continued a strong start to the season, despite a recent blip that ended in midweek
Bristol City went ahead in just the second minute as Martin tapped home Antoine Semenyo’s cross inside the six-yard box with the home defence static It was the former Derby forward’s first Championship goal this season
Cardiff had plenty of chances in a lively first half, with Kieffer Moore’s header forcing a fine save from Daniel Bentley Harry Wilson put two efforts from distance over the bar before Moore headed over from a corner, catching himself nastily on a post following his miss
In the second half, the former Bristol City man Marlon Pack was booked for a foul on Nahki Wells, before Wilson saw a header saved Robert Glatzel replaced Sheyi Ojo as Neil Harris reverted to a more direct 4-4-2 formation
The chances kept coming for the hosts, with Joe Ralls mistiming a shot with his weaker right foot and Moore seeing another header saved by Bentley Callum O’Dowda had a rare chance for the visitors, but his shot was deflected wide
The Cardiff goalkeeper Alex Smithies, who was virtually redundant in the second half, went up for a corner in added time but that made no difference as defeat left the Bluebirds mired in mid-table
“I’m thrilled, to be honest,” Bristol City manager Holden said after his side’s second away win this week following the 2-1 success at Huddersfield on Tuesday “We’ve had a winless run, people getting a bit edgy, but we stuck to our way of working Chris deserves that goal – he’s one hell of a selfless team player”
Bristol City Football Club, Cardiff City FC, EFL Championship, Severnside derby, Chris Martin
World news – IN – Bristol City up to second after Chris Martin catches Cardiff cold in derby
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