Wolverhampton Wanderers advanced to the FA Cup fourth round after a narrow 2-1 victory over Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Saturday, 11th January 2025. A crowd of 23,485 spectators witnessed an engaging encounter as Wolves managed to stave off a spirited challenge from their Championship opponents. The match highlighted the evident gap in quality between the two teams, particularly through Wolves' first-half goals.
Rayan Ait-Nouri opened the scoring for Wolves with a precise effort, followed by a strike from Rodrigo Gomes, giving the visitors a comfortable lead. However, Bristol City's Scott Twine provided a glimmer of hope for the home side by finding the back of the net just before halftime. His goal halved the deficit and set the stage for an intense second half.
Bristol City head coach Liam Manning expressed mixed feelings about his team's performance.
"Everyone's aspiring to get to the Premier League, so you want to test yourself against that level." – Liam Manning
He acknowledged the valuable lesson from the initial 25-30 minutes of play, noting his players' intent to press and their setup at times. Despite their efforts, Manning admitted some disappointment with their ball handling.
"But if you're half a yard off, you get picked off. We were a bit disappointing with the ball, but we got back into it which speaks volumes for the resilience of the lads." – Liam Manning
The second half saw Wolves twice hitting the post, underlining their continued threat despite Bristol City's determination. The home side endured a late scare four minutes from time but managed to hold on without conceding further.
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira expressed satisfaction with his team's performance and acknowledged the significance of the FA Cup.
"It's a special competition. Tradition. Our priority is the league for sure." – Vitor Pereira
Yet, he was pleased that his team navigated this challenging fixture successfully. The match served as an excellent opportunity for Bristol City to test themselves against Premier League opposition, showcasing their resilience and tactical discipline.
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