Nigel Pearson says Bristol City's dominant 3-0 FA Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion was one of the most complete performances during his tenure as manager.
The Robins were dominant throughout and it was another superb day for the academy with Sam Bell and Alex Scott unplayable. It was the former who celebrated his first goal at Ashton Gate on 12 minutes when he brilliantly found the corner with a first-time finish.
Bell, who scored his first goal for the club 11 days ago in the FA Cup victory over Swansea, was in inspired confidence and his blistering pace wreaked havoc in the Baggies backline. Just before the half-hour mark City doubled their lead and it was Scott who grabbed his first goal of the season.
Nahki Wells slipped through Mark Sykes and his pinpoint cross landed at the feet of the midfielder who was left with the simplest of finishes to put City one foot into the FA Cup fifth round. It was no less than Scott deserved for his dominant showing in midfield.
Max O'Leary played his part, saving from Daryl Dike's effort on the angle in the first half which he then followed up with an excellent double stop in the second period. With City hitting West Brom on the counter at will, it was Bell who put the game beyond doubt with his family watching on from the stands.
He superbly controlled George Tanner's cross into the area, used his pace to beat David Button to the ball and lifted it over the keeper to secure City's passage into the next round and add £120,000 into the coffers.
When asked whether that was one of the most complete performances since arriving as City manager in February 2021, Pearson responded: "Yeah, maybe. Last time we played them here it was a difficult day for us and we’re two top players light squad-wise.
"Bents (Dan Bentley) wouldn’t have played today but both he and Antoine have left the club for the Premier League and good for them. But it just shows you that it’s about trying to maximise what you have, and we know that we have to do some work to try and strengthen the group as much as anything.
"But we know we have really good talent within the building, the problem you have sometimes with youngsters is you get inconsistencies and I’m afraid that’s just a part of how you have to deal with, that’s life. But I’d rather us be producing those players."
Speaking of Bell's impact and development, he added: "When players break into the side you just hope that they’re able to continue to do what they’ve done at the level they’ve been playing at.
"Under 21’s league, believe me, to that is massive, but what he’s been able to do because he’s a player who trains really well and practices, he’s been able to step up.
"It’s interesting that when he went on with Rotherham, he struggled to get to the pace of the game for whatever it was ten minutes. But getting that chance to get back into the side has been quite an important thing for him and the game against Swansea gave him the opportunity to get a good run out there. He was excellent today.
"He can (run) for the whole of the game, I think that’s something worth noting that his ability to reproduce those types of runs is pretty impressive really and the two finishes were both unbelievable really.”
Pearson, who also reiterated his confidence that Scott will go on to play for England, added about his goal. "About time he scored one," he joked. "No Alex has been frustrated as well; his goal was great too.
"Another really good counter-attacking move and that’s what you want from your midfield players to be able to break into the box and get into those goal-scoring positions. The front three and Alex their combination play today was really exciting.”
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