Max O’Leary – 6
A shaky moment in the first half shouldn’t take away from a good performance from Bristol City’s number one. A few great catches and claims without ever really needing to make any big saves. Deserved his clean sheet.
Haydon Roberts – 6
The former Derby County man started in a deeper position as part of the back three in Luke McNally’s absence and while he still had a few shaky moments, he looked a lot more comfortable. Did what was needed of him both in possession and out of it and probably more of a six-and-a-half than a six.
Rob Dickie – 8
Perhaps one of the more typical Rob Dickie performances we’ve seen in recent weeks from the Reds’ vice-captain. It may have been a result of Luke McNally’s absence, but the 28-year-old seemed to be a bit more commanding, in the air in particular. Could have and perhaps should have scored with a second-half header that just drifted wide. A great nod down for Anis Mehmeti’s second.
Zak Vyner – 7
A really solid display from the academy graduate who looked much more at home in the back four in the second half. Stretched his legs to show his recovery pace at times and intervened calmy when he was called upon. A few good passes on show as well.
Ross McCrorie (off for George Tanner, 86′) – 7
Having returned to the starting line-up after serving his suspension against Swansea City, the Scotland international was superb out of position once again. Tatsuki Seko couldn’t deal with his pace in and out of possession and while he arguably could have done a little more with his final ball, it was an excellent return.
Max Bird (off for Marcus McGuane, 81′) – 6
Probably not Bird’s best outing in City colours, even if he was nowhere near bad. Should have scored his second of the season when he missed the target in the first half. He’s spoken about trying to be too precise when shooting in recent weeks and that looked like the case there. Swung in a great corner in the lead-up to Mehmeti’s second.
Jason Knight – 6
Like his midfield partner, Knight did an awful lot of the dirty work without having the impact in the final third that we saw in the first half of the defeat to Swansea. A few loose touches frustrated in the first half but his energy was excellent after the interval. Exactly what we’ve come to expect from the City skipper.
Mark Sykes (off for Yu Hirakawa, 60′) – 7
Sykes wasn’t too busy in the first half, but when he was needed he carved out a bit of quality. His run and cross to set up the opener was superb and he more than chipped in defensively. He isn’t afraid to put his body where it hurts and that can only be a good thing, particularly at wing-back.
Anis Mehmeti – 8
The Albanian international is back among the goals and has reached double figures for the season. While he was not at his best in the first half, his movement for City’s opener was smart and his finish was composed. If his first was subtle, his second was a screamer. No goalkeeper in the Championship would have stopped that.
Scott Twine (off for George Earthy, 60′) – 7
Twine has been criticised in recent weeks and while he probably still wasn’t at his best, his pass made Mehmeti’s opener possible. His through ball was perfectly weighted, which made the rest simple for Sykes. Other than that, a quiet evening for the former Burnley man. Probably more of a six-and-a-half than seven.
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Sinclair Armstrong (off for Nahki Wells, 60′) – 7
Armstrong has looked like a man re-energised since returning from injury. The 21-year-old was a constant thorn in the Stoke City defence and while he still lacked that bit of composure of quality in the final third at times, he is looking a more well-rounded player with each passing week. An excellent hour from the striker.
Substitutes:
Nahki Wells – 6
Having scored twice against the Potters earlier this season, Wells will be sick of seeing Viktor Johansson after he stopped him from adding to that tally.
George Earthy – 6
A few smart touches but just cannot quite find that bit of end product.
Yu Hirakawa – 6
Came close to his first Ashton Gate goal in what was a bright second-half showing.