This was an evening so clearly ripe for an upset that by its conclusion the only fair question was of whether Bristol City’s deserved triumph really constituted one at all.
Under the cloud of an injury crisis and missing the front-three that have inspired their campaign thus far, West Ham arrived in the West Country seeking a place in the FA Cup fourth round at the second time of asking. Instead, they were bundled out of the competition by Liam Manning’s excellent - if heavy-handed - side, Tommy Conway’s second goal of the tie decisive in a fiery affair that saw Said Benrahma sent off before the hour and more than one home player fortunate not to join him.
