Vincent Kompany’s Burnley side demonstrated just why they are 2022/2023 champions. Quite rightly, and as has become somewhat of a tradition, they were afforded a guard of honour by the Bristol City players, Nigel Pearson and his coaching staff, applauding their entrance onto the pitch.
They showed moments of real quality throughout the game and after sealing promotion and then the title over the last week, they would have perhaps been forgiven if they had let their minds wander and think of next season’s Premier League campaign. They didn’t, and at times showed a passing masterclass. They stretched the pitch, playing with width and in the first half seemed to be playing within themselves.
The opening 20 minutes had the flavour somewhat of a pre-season friendly, with City having nothing to play for. It was entertaining but we just seemed a little passive and showed the Clarets a little too much respect.
It was great to see former City captain and now skipper of the champions, Josh Brownhill, make a return to Ashton Gate. I think it was only after Josh was sold to the Lancashire side that his time in BS3 and his ability was truly appreciated.
There was a nice moment in the first half when Josh went to take a corner in front of Section 82, receiving first of all a standing ovation, which he duly acknowledged, applauding back. This ovation was then followed by the pantomime booing of the midfielder. A funny moment.
To highlight Burnley’s quality, Manual Benson opened the scoring with a moment that would light up the Premier League. Collecting the ball on the right corner of the penalty area, the Belgian winger cut inside and hit an exquisite left-footed curler beyond the reach of the diving Max O’Leary into the top corner of the City goal.
Benson should have been closed down and challenged quicker but sometimes even as an opposition fan you just have to applaud the quality.
We looked a little leggy in midfield and were somewhat chasing shadows up front, with very little service into Tommy Conway, playing in the one up top.
The game somewhat changed in the second half, after Pearson made a triple substitution on 56 minutes, bringing on Joe Williams for Andy King, Mark Sykes for George Tanner and Andi Weimann for Harry Cornick.
All three brought a greater energy to the side and not long after the changes, we scored the equaliser. Sam Bell won a header, and the ball broke to Weimann who did well to bring the ball inside and deliver a perfect pass to Conway who coolly slotted the ball pat Bailey Peacock-Farrell. It was a good finish from Conway, and he now leads the way in the golden boot 12-11 over Nahki Wells with game to go.
Unfortunately, just when we were on top, we shot ourselves in the foot. Alex Scott played a ball right across the pitch which was intercepted and finished with aplomb by Jay Rodriguez. Scott was distraught and it was not the type of performance that he would have wanted in potentially his final home game in a City shirt.
When asked before the game about the position on Scott, owner Steve Lansdown told BBC Radio Bristol that they are trying to get him to sign a new contract but that also if he was sold, "we've quoted £25m in the past. It's supply and demand, isn't it? If there are lots of clubs interested in him, then the value goes up. If it doesn't then it's what we can achieve.
"At the end of the day, we're not going to sell him on the cheap, he's contracted for another couple of years, but I'd like it to be longer to keep that momentum going."
We did have the ball in the net through Weimann before it was ruled out for a soft foul by Wells and on the balance of play overall in the game, a draw would probably have been a fair result. It was a decent performance against the best side in the league.
Best wishes for next season to Kompany, Brownhill and their Burnley side. Their fans were a credit to their team.
So that is the end of the home campaign for another season. We have seen some decent football at times and the performances of Zak Vyner, Cameron Pring, Alex Scott, and Tommy Conway give real encouragement for next season.
I want to end this week’s column with a tribute to BBC Radio Bristol presenter Geoff Twentyman, who presented his last broadcast from Ashton Gate after 30 years.
Regular contributors to Geoff’s 'Sound of the City' show, surprised the popular Scouser half way through his post-match broadcast way up high in the media section of the Upper Lansdown Stand, presenting him with a caricature picture of the man himself wearing a City shirt with mic in hand, and Ashton Gate, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and the city skyline as the backdrop.
Former players Gary Owers and Chris Honor paid tribute to Geoff live on air, as did fans alike. It was a touching moment and no more that Geoff deserved.
There are very few that have transcended the red and blue sides of the city and it is to his great credit as a professional and a man that he is held in such high esteem by City fans. Whilst it may have been his last live broadcast from Ashton Gate, I’m sure that we will get to see him again in the future. All the best for the future, Top Man.
Our 3 Peaps In A Podcast Bonus show ratings were: Max O’Leary 6, George Tanner 5, Zak Vyner 6, Cameron Pring 8 *MotM, Kal Naismith 6, Matty James 6, Andy King 6, Alex Scott 5, Sam Bell 6, Harry Cornick 5, Tommy Conway 7, Mark Sykes 7, Andi Weimann 7, Joe Williams 6 (subs have to have come onto the field before the 60th minute). A game average of 6.14, and a season average of 6.33. For Nigel it was a 6, some good moments and showed how far we have to go.
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