Rotherham United 2-0 Bristol City: Millers claim first win in seven games
- Published
Michael Smith struck from close range shortly before half-time to extend Rotherham's lead
A dominant all-round display earned Championship strugglers Rotherham United their first win in seven games at the expense of Bristol City.
The Millers went ahead after four minutes when Matt Crooks headed home a Dan Barlaser free-kick.
Chris Martin thought he had equalised for the Robins after half an hour but his strike was ruled out because the ball had already gone out of play.
Rotherham made the points safe through Michael Smith's close-range finish shortly before half-time, with any kind of second-half City fightback failing to materialise.
Bristol City went into the game as favourites, with their 16 points on the road this season the best in the Championship, while the hosts were winless in six.
But Rotherham made a blistering opening when Crooks headed them in front and the visitors never seemed to recover.
The home side controlled the first half and could have been awarded a penalty when Tommy Rowe - already on a yellow card - appeared to trip Matthew Olosunde in the box, but nothing was given.
But they did deservedly extend their lead four minutes before the break when Smith outmuscled Zak Vyner inside the six-yard box to turn in Olosunde's inviting cross.
Dean Holden introduced Famara Diedhiou and Adrian Mariappa for Jack Hunt and Zak Vyner at the break and it was Senegal striker Diedhiou who forced Viktor Johansson into a smart save soon afterwards.
But that was as close as City went, with Rotherham nearly making it 3-0 when Ben Wiles could only find the side netting from close range.
The defeat means the Robins drop out of the play-off places to seventh, with Rotherham remaining 20th but putting more daylight between themselves and the relegation places.
Rotherham first-team coach Matt Hamshaw:
"It was an excellent afternoon's work. The early goal is a confidence boost. From back to front, everyone performed to their capabilities. We got what we deserved.
"The gaffer has made no secret that we have been on a bad run. In my opinion, he is the best man for the job. He should not feel pressure because the job he has done over the last four years has been remarkable.
"We are not a million miles off. When you're on a little bad run, everyone has a little opinion. We dominated against a really strong opponent. We take huge confidence and belief from it."
Bristol City boss Dean Holden told BBC Radio Bristol:
"It was the first game this season where we've not performed at our level. We obviously conceded an early goal which was disappointing and they scored again before half-time to make it difficult.
"We didn't have enough quality on the day to find a way through their press. The players have already proved this season that they can respond to a defeat and that's now the challenge again.
"They're a big, physical side and sometimes you have to go up against that and when you don't perform at your levels you get beaten."
The Royle Family box set: Revisit all the laughs from Jim and Barbara's front room
Chilling Icelandic crime drama: The Valhalla Murders is streaming now
