Goals from Mark Sykes and Nahki Wells took Bristol City into the Championship play-off places with a 2-1 victory over Norwich at Ashton Gate.
Sykes fired the home side in front after six minutes with a curling left-footed shot, having cut in from the right to finish a move started by Rob Dickie’s strong run out of defence.
It was 2-0 after 23 minutes when Norwich defender Jose Cordoba was caught in possession looking to play out from the back and Joe Williams fed Wells, whose clever turn and low shot from an angle beat goalkeeper George Long.
Borja Sainz gave Norwich hope with a low, close-range finish from Callum Doyle’s 82nd-minute cross, but despite late pressure they could not force an equaliser.
The hosts made four changes from their 1-1 midweek draw at Sheffield United, bringing in Cameron Pring, Mark Sykes, Anis Mehmeti and Wells, while Norwich reacted to a 3-2 home defeat against Sheffield Wednesday by calling Long, Josh Sargent and Jacob Sorensen into the starting line-up.
The Canaries responded well to Sykes’ early strike and Bristol City goalkeeper Max O’Leary had to make diving saves in quick succession from Doyle and Emiliano Marcondes.
Soon after Sainz hit the foot of a post with a low 14th-minute drive.
Wells’ goal was reward for the home side’s press, which had their opponents in difficulty building from the back.
But still Norwich threatened and Sargent shot into the side-netting from another good opening.
The visitors were wide open to counter-attacks and only Wells will know how he failed to make it 3-0 after 36 minutes when Long dived to parry a Max Bird shot and was on the ground when the striker moved unmarked on to the rebound.
Somehow the keeper recovered to deflect the shot over.
Sainz shot wide from six yards from Kellen Fisher’s cross with O’Leary’s goal at his mercy after 37 minutes and the game looked far from over at the break.
Shooting towards their own fans, Norwich began the second half brightly and Ante Crnac fired over from Doyle’s 50th-minute cross.
The Canaries then made a change, sending on Marcelino Nunez for Cordoba.
Bristol City sent on powerful striker Sinclair Armstrong for Wells and started to play more direct.
A slick move down the right after 67 minutes ended with Sykes having a shot deflected for a corner.
Still Norwich refused to lie down and Sargent forced a flying save from O’Leary with an effort from distance, while at the other end Armstrong fired into the side-netting.
Sainz’s goal gave Norwich renewed belief and the visitors kept going to the death, but when a last minute free-kick from Nunez flashed wide their hopes were dashed.
[(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...
