Bristol City closed the gap to play-off places in the Championship with a workmanlike 1-0 win over Derby County at Ashton Gate on Saturday afternoon.
Luke McNally's third goal of the season midway through the first half was enough to secure all three points for Liam Manning's side and extend their unbeaten run to four games over the festive period.
The away side did have chances to level things up. While the Rams never really looked like scoring, Max O'Leary had to be at his best to keep the Reds ahead as he pulled off several big saves.
Saturday afternoon's win moves Manning's side up to eighth in the table and just three points away from the top six with two weeks until their next league game as attention now turns to the FA Cup when they welcome Wolves to the West Country next weekend.
You can recap all the action from Ashton Gate here...
Key Events
Hear from the manager
Liam Manning has conducted his post-match media duties and explained his decision to allow Rob Atkinson to leave on loan.
You can read what he had to say HERE...
Player ratings have landed
It may not have been a classic, but Bristol City secured a first win of 2025 with a workmanlike display against Derby County this afternoon.
You can read our player ratings from Ashton Gate HERE...
Full-time: Bristol City 1 - 0 Derby
The Robins wrap up all three points and secure a third successive home win at Ashton Gate. It wasn't pretty, but Liam Manning won't mind that one bit.
We'll have all the reaction from BS3 here...
Huge City chance
Hirakawa breaks up field and opts to pass to Mehmeti rather that shoot himself. The Albanian tries his luck but his shot is blocked and the wait for a second goes on.
Yellow card for Roberts
The left wing back is booked for fouling Kane Wilson as Derby looked to break. No complaints with that one.
How is it not in?
Mayulu does so well to control a difficult pass but cannot make contact with his shot and then Mehmeti cannot test the keeper either. It's scrappy, but City should be winning by more than one.
Derby change
James Collins is coming on for Mendez-Laing as the Rams look for a late leveller.
Wide from Roberts
The ball drops to the left-back on the edge of the penalty area and while he times his run well to run onto it, he cannot hit the target as he drags his effort wide of the post.
O'Leary comes and claims
A long throw finds it's way into City's box and as the ball bounces around, somehow O'Leary claims it. It hasn't been pretty but the Robins have defended with everything they have so far.
Big miss from Fally
Knight crosses into the box and Mayulu appears to be in acres of space to smash home on the volley. He gets his finish wrong and ends up scuffing his left footed effort without even testing trhe keeper.
City change
Scott Twine's afternoon is over as he is replaced by Yu Hirakawa. The attacking midfielder has been excellent today and gets a deserved ovation.
Mayulu does well
The young forward does well to win a free-kick on the halfway line to ease some of the pressure on his side. Good play from the forward.
City corner
Mehmeti tackles his man deep in the Derby half and manages to force a corner with a mazy run. The ball ends up with Twine and his long range effort does little to trouble the keeper.
Poor cross
Twine is the man to take the resulting free-kick and while he connects well with the ball, it is straight into the hands of the Derby keeper. That was a real waste.
Twine wins free-kick
Once again, the attacking midfielder does well to chip the ball over his marker's leg and win a free-kick out on the right wing.
Loose from Mehmeti
The winger does so well to hold the ball up inside his own half before turning to kickstart an attack, but his pass to Knight is poor and goes straight out of play.
All a bit tight
There's not been many clear chances in the second half, but the game does feel a lot more open with both teams trading blows going forward. City are looking to slow things down and play at their own pace a little bit now.
Derby corner
The Rams break and while they don't get a shot away, the ball is put behind for a corner which is cleared by Dickie before going behind for a goal kick.
Fally goes close
Tanner crosses in from the right flank as City counter and he picks out Mayulu who looks to turn home without breaking his stride. While he makes contact, it does little to test the Derby stopper.
Double City change
Nahki Wells and Ross McCrorie make way with Fally Mayulu and Ross McCrorie making way. A big chance for Mayulu to impress.
Derby corner
A cross into the area deflects out of play off of McNally and the away side have a corner in front of the Ateyo.
City look to break
Wells does well to start a counter by picking out Mehmeti on the left wing. For some reason, he slows down and looks to stand up his man rather than heading towards goal. It comes to nothing and that's another chance wasted by Manning's side.
McNally out of play
The goalscorer looks to find Roberts on the left wing and overhits his pass straight into touch. That's a bit sloppy from the Robins.
Mehmeti sees shot blocked
Wells latches onto a long ball and feeds McCrorie who manages to tap into the path of Mehmeti. The Albanian gets a shot away, but it is blocked and the away side clear. This has been a much better start to the second half.
Corner comes to nothing
McNally heads the resulting corner to the edge of the box and while a Derby player tries his luck on the volley, his shot was more dangerous for those in the Ateyo than Max O'Leary.
Good ball in from Bird
The City midfielder swings a cross into the box from a free-kick and while McNally cannot quite manage to meet it, that was a dangerous ball. The Robins look like thety could score whenever they go forward.
