Bristol Rovers manager Matt Taylor tipped debutant Bryant Bilongo to become a local hero after his late goal sealed a dramatic 1-0 win over Northampton at the Memorial Stadium.
Bilongo, 22, headed in Luke Thomas’ corner in the second minute of stoppage time as he capped his first EFL appearance in style following a move this summer from Middlesbrough.
Taylor said: “He didn’t play great in the first half by any means but he’s got something about him which is attractive.
“I know our fans will really warm to him in so many different ways.
“That’s because he’s a good size, he heads the ball, he’s good with the ball at his feet so he runs past players.
“He plays with a smile on his face but most importantly he really cares.
“He’ll remember today for the rest of his life and I’m really glad his family were here to watch a really momentous occasion with a fantastic finale.”
Bilongo’s late intervention secured the Gas a first opening-day victory since 2011 when they won 3-2 at Wimbledon.
“It was great to get that monkey off our back and it feels like it’s a case of lucky 13 for us,” Taylor added.
“It just shows how difficult it is to win points in League One because it’s a tough league.
“Northampton are a really good, experienced side and I know they will be tough opponents for everyone else this season.
“There were nerves and anxiety going into the game but I think we got better as the match progressed.”
Before Bilongo’s strike, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta was in danger of overshadowing a tight contest.
Home fans took to taking photographs of the dozens of giant inflatables that serenely made their way across the West Country as the two sides struggled to break the deadlock.
That said it all about a game of few chances that saw Cobblers goalkeeper Lee Burge produce a string of fine saves before Bilongo struck.
Northampton boss Jon Brady insisted defeat was unjust.
He said: “It was a narrow contest with not much in it but it was a corner that was blatantly not a corner.
“Sam’s [Hoskins] worked brilliantly hard to push the ball into the player and the player has hooked it out for a goal kick.
“Yes we’ve got to defend it better but the boys were adamant and argued it definitely wasn’t a corner.
“When you look back the linesman is literally a yard away from it and I just asked him that and there was no answer.”
Brady added: “We came out and had a really strong start and the boys overall were excellent.
“We were really well organised. We took the game to them and didn’t sit back but went at them and had a couple of good chances to score.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
