Bell gives Bristol City extra-time win at Swansea

18 Jan 2023
Sam Bell runs away to celebrate his first Bristol City goalSam Bell runs away to celebrate his first Bristol City goal

Bristol City progressed to round four of the FA Cup as Sam Bell's extra-time goal secured a 2-1 replay victory at Swansea City.

Mark Sykes steered Bristol City in front only for Ollie Cooper to set up the additional 30 minutes when he scored with his first touch.

Swansea had chances to triumph, but it was academy product Bell's night.

The 20-year-old ran from near halfway to score a memorable first senior goal for his home-city club.

Bell's intervention secured a second successive win for Bristol City, a welcome boost after a run of just one victory in 12 matches in all competitions.

Swansea had lost only once in four games before this - against Championship leaders Burnley - but saw any hope of a cup run wiped out as they failed to take their chances.

While the Welsh club's focus for the rest of the season will be a play-off push, the Robins can look forward to a home cup tie against West Bromwich Albion later this month.

Swansea had been left ruing their failure to win this tie at Ashton Gate nine days ago having dominated the first half, though Antoine Semenyo had deservedly cancelled out Joel Piroe's goal to set up the replay.

While Russell Martin made seven changes for a game he felt Swansea could have done without, Nigel Pearson kept faith with the Bristol City team who started in the league last weekend - and was ultimately rewarded.

It was hard to tell which of the bosses had shuffled their pack in an even first half where chances were at a premium.

Olivier Ntcham had the one shot on target, a 20-yard drive which was gathered by Max O'Leary, although the Bristol City goalkeeper reacted quickly to prevent an own goal when Zak Vyner sliced towards his own net.

The visitors' first chance came when the ball ricocheted to Semenyo early in the second half - only for the Ghana international to slash wide.

Swansea responded, Joel Latibeaudiere forcing a sprawling save from O'Leary before Piroe shot across the face.

The hosts were exerting real pressure for the first time when Bristol City snatched the lead, with Joe Williams winning possession and feeding fellow substitute Bell.

He threaded a pass through for Sykes, who got to the ball well before Swansea goalkeeper Andy Fisher and rolled in his third goal in two games.

Ollie Cooper celebrates his sixth goal of the seasonOllie Cooper celebrates his sixth goal of the season

Suddenly the game opened up, with Williams chipping tamely into Fisher's arms before Swansea levelled when Matt Grimes' cross reached the far post and Cooper, who had been on the pitch for a matter of seconds, was left with the simple task of sidefooting into the net.

Swansea came close in extra time through Luke Cundle's wasteful header and a Ryan Manning volley which was pushed over by O'Leary.

Then came Bell's big moment, his pace carrying him away from Ben Cabango before he cut inside and shot high into the net.

Swansea City head coach Russell Martin:

"I'm just really frustrated we haven't won it. I feel like it's the same sort of answer I've given you a lot of times. We need more in the final third. They had so little until they scored.

"I was really pleased with the performance. We made seven changes, the game didn't look any different, we were so dominant.

"We needed to show more for the dominance. We give away a poor goal in the middle of the pitch. Their game plan has probably worked really well, Nigel [Pearson] will say.

"I'm so pleased with the players, they gave everything, they dominated for so long, but we need to make more of it because we only score one goal with the amount of entries we had in the box."

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson:

"I am pleased for us to get into the next round. It was a tough game - we knew it was going to be. We went with an unchanged side and we knew we would have to make changes during the game.

"It was a super goal to win it, a great finish. We just hoped he would get the chance.

"I thought all the substitutes had an impact on the game. They created a few opportunities for sure, Max [O'Leary] made a couple of good saves, but we always felt we would get some opportunities and it's then whether you can take them.

"It was a fabulous way to win the game in all honesty."

Line-ups
Swansea

Formation 4-3-3

1Fisher26Naughton5Cabango23WoodBooked at 90mins29SorinolaSubstituted forManningat 73'minutes18CundleBooked at 94mins22LatibeaudiereBooked at 120mins8GrimesSubstituted forAllenat 90'minutes45CongreveSubstituted forCooperat 72'minutes17PiroeSubstituted forCullenat 62'minutes10NtchamSubstituted forFultonat 90'minutesSubstitutes3Manning4Fulton6Darling7Allen13Benda20Cullen31Cooper35McFayden48Cotterill
Bristol City

Formation 4-3-3

12O'Leary19Tanner26Vyner5Atkinson16PringBooked at 75minsSubstituted forDasilvaat 88'minutes7ScottSubstituted forWilliamsat 57'minutes4NaismithSubstituted forKingat 102'minutes6JamesSubstituted forTaylor-Clarkeat 102'minutes17Sykes21WellsSubstituted forBellat 57'minutes11SemenyoBooked at 120minsSubstitutes1Bentley3Dasilva8Williams10King20Bell27Kadji35Taylor-Clarke

Referee:Graham Scott

Attendance:10,030

Match Stats
Live Text

Match ends, Swansea City 1, Bristol City 2.

Second Half Extra Time ends, Swansea City 1, Bristol City 2.

Joel Latibeaudiere (Swansea City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Antoine Semenyo (Bristol City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Oliver Cooper (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Jay Dasilva (Bristol City).

Attempt missed. Jay Fulton (Swansea City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.

Attempt missed. Kyle Naughton (Swansea City) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.

Goal! Swansea City 1, Bristol City 2. Sam Bell (Bristol City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner.

Attempt missed. Liam Cullen (Swansea City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left.

Attempt missed. Liam Cullen (Swansea City) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.

Second Half Extra Time begins Swansea City 1, Bristol City 1.

First Half Extra Time ends, Swansea City 1, Bristol City 1.

Attempt missed. Jay Fulton (Swansea City) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Joe Williams.

Substitution, Bristol City. Andy King replaces Kal Naismith.

Substitution, Bristol City. Omar Taylor-Clarke replaces Matty James.

Corner, Swansea City. Conceded by Max O'Leary.

Attempt saved. Ryan Manning (Swansea City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner.

Attempt missed. Sam Bell (Bristol City) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.

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