Match ends, Bristol City 2, Ipswich Town 1.
Bristol CityBristol City2IpswichIpswich Town1
Lee Johnson got off to a winning start as Bristol City boss as Aden Flint's double gave them victory over Ipswich.
The centre-back rose highest to head in off the post from Luke Freeman's pin-point corner to open the scoring.
It was 2-0 when, in similar fashion, Flint nodded in Freeman's delivery for his fourth league goal of the season.
Ex-Robin Brett Pitman scored for Ipswich with a low finish, but City held on for back-to-back wins and moved five points clear of the drop zone.
Johnson played for the Robins from 2006 to 2012 and will be delighted with his start after joining from League One side Barnsley on 6 February.
The first half could have yielded more goals for the hosts as Ipswich goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski made an excellent one-handed reaction save from Korey Smith's deflected shot.
Ipswich also had chances, with home goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell saving well from Daryl Murphy's six-yard header midway through the second half.
The hosts nearly extended their lead but Bialkowski made a low finger-tip save from substitute Kieran Agard to keep it 2-1, before Tommy Smith's late drive flew wide.
Bristol City manager Lee Johnson:
"There is still work to do, but it was a good start. A lot of what I saw really pleased me.
"We have some big lads to attack set-pieces and Luke Freeman's quality of delivery makes it easier for them.
"Aden Flint was brave with his headers. At half-time he told me he wanted to take a penalty if we got one - but I wouldn't have let him!
"The atmosphere created by the fans was tremendous and I really appreciated that. Now we have to maintain focus in and out of possession. If we do that we have the quality to hurt opponents."
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy:
"We didn't defend the set-pieces well enough, but credit where it is due because the delivery and movement at the two corners was an example to any young players.
"Having gone behind, it was needs must and we switched back to 4-4-2, which I felt made us more effective.
"Brett Pitman wants more starts and he made us better when he came on. He doesn't like the tag of super-sub, but it was a great finish.
"We have been hit hard by injuries in midfield, which is not an excuse. I expect us to be challenging at the top of the table and can understand the fans' frustration."
Line-ups
Bristol City
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 12O'DonnellBooked at 90mins
- 2Little
- 4Flint
- 17Baker
- 13Golbourne
- 21Pack
- 7Smith
- 15Freeman
- 9TomlinSubstituted forAgardat 64'minutes
- 23BryanSubstituted forWagstaffat 88'minutes
- 22KodjiaSubstituted forWilbrahamat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Fielding
- 10Agard
- 11Wagstaff
- 14Reid
- 16Pearce
- 18Wilbraham
- 25Vyner
Ipswich
Formation 4-3-3
- 33Bialkowski
- 4Chambers
- 6Berra
- 5Smith
- 3Knudsen
- 44FoleyBooked at 73minsSubstituted forToureat 90'minutes
- 17Bru
- 15PringleSubstituted forVarneyat 68'minutes
- 7Maitland-NilesSubstituted forPitmanat 53'minutes
- 9Murphy
- 20Sears
Substitutes
- 11Pitman
- 18Tabb
- 30Kenlock
- 36Henly
- 37Digby
- 39Toure
- 42Varney
- Referee:
- Tony Harrington
- Attendance:
- 15,736
Match Stats
Home TeamBristol CityAway TeamIpswich
- Possession
- Home47%
- Away53%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away3
- Corners
- Home13
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Bristol City 2, Ipswich Town 1.
Post update
Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Christophe Berra.
Booking
Richard O'Donnell (Bristol City) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt missed. Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jonas Knudsen following a set piece situation.
Post update
Kevin Bru (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Kieran Agard (Bristol City).
Substitution
Substitution, Ipswich Town. Larsen Touré replaces Kevin Foley.
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol City. Scott Wagstaff replaces Joe Bryan.
Post update
Offside, Bristol City. Aaron Wilbraham tries a through ball, but Kieran Agard is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Joe Bryan (Bristol City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kieran Agard.
Post update
Offside, Ipswich Town. Luke Chambers tries a through ball, but Daryl Murphy is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt missed. Joe Bryan (Bristol City) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Post update
Foul by Freddie Sears (Ipswich Town).
Post update
Mark Little (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Post update
Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Nathan Baker (Bristol City).
Post update
Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Jonas Knudsen.
Post update
Attempt missed. Aden Flint (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Marlon Pack with a cross following a corner.
