Cardiff City 2-1 Bristol City

Fraizer Campbell scored on his home debut as leaders Cardiff beat Bristol City to boost their promotion hopes. The striker broke through just before half-time to clip a rising shot into the top corner. Ex-Bluebirds goalkeeper Tom Heaton produced a string of impressive saves but Campbell struck again, controlling a long throw before shooting home. Late confusion in the home penalty area saw Ben Nugent put the ball into his own net but the hosts held on. Victory kept Cardiff eight points clear at the top of the table. Bristol City had won three of their last four games under new manager Sean O'Driscoll but remain in relegation danger, three points from safety and facing another tough trip to promotion-chasing Crystal Palace on Tuesday. The Robins were indebted to Heaton during a first half dominated by Cardiff, as the goalkeeper formed a sturdy last line of defence against his former employers. Craig Noone was the first to test Heaton, outpacing Brendan Moloney before seeing his shot pushed away. Craig Bellamy was the next to threaten as the Wales striker unleashed a 35-yard free-kick that needed a touch from the flying Heaton to help over the crossbar. Campbell, a £650,000 January capture from Sunderland, was also looking lively but Heaton again had to come to the Robins' rescue with a plunging stop. The keeper could only palm the ball out into the path of Nugent, but the young defender shot the bouncing rebound over the bar. Yet with the first half entering time added on, Heaton and the Robins' resistance was finally broken. Campbell combined incisively with Tommy Smith before unleashing a shot off the outside of his right boot that went into the far left corner of the net. Cardiff had a strong claim for a penalty waved away by the referee soon after the restart, when Campbell seemed to be tugged back by Liam Fontaine. Bristol City's goal threat had been sporadic but Liam Kelly nearly gave the relegation-threatened Robins a lifeline. Kelly spotted David Marshall too far off his line and produced a 30-yard lob that had the Scotland stopper back-peddling furiously, before watching the ball sail just over the bar. But Cardiff then doubled their lead when Campbell drifted off his markers to collect a long throw from Aron Gunnarsson, showing great control to bring the ball down and clip it past Heaton. That was Campbell's third goal in three games for his new club, suggesting the 25-year-old's capture is the final piece that will see Malky Mackay's side seal promotion to the Premier League. To their credit, Bristol City refused to let their heads drop and Marshall needed to make a smart save to prevent Steve Davies from finding the back of the net. Campbell was replaced by Heidar Helguson with 18 minutes remaining and left the pitch to a rousing ovation from the majority of the 25,586 fans. A late goal-mouth scramble at the Cardiff end saw the confusion end with Nugent nodding past his own keeper, but Cardiff rode out that last-minute nervousness to stretch their unbeaten league run to nine games.

Bristol City 0-4 Leicester

Chris Wood fired in a first-half hat-trick as Leicester secured an easy 4-0 win at Ashton Gate to send Bristol City to the foot of the npower Championship. The former Robins loanee made it nine from his last five games and six in three since joining the Foxes from West Brom. Most of the damage was done before the break, inflicted by a combination of Ben Marshall, home goalkeeper Dean Gerken and the unstoppable Wood. Marshall provided the ammunition for the first two goals, though Gerken will have to shoulder the blame for the second as he flapped at an 18th-minute corner. And Gerken looked culpable again when Wood's long-range shot crept under his body four minutes before the interval, taking the striker's tally for the season to 17. Matty James added the fourth to compound the woes of Derek McInnes, whose side now prop up the pile following Barnsley's victory over Leeds. It took just 11 minutes for the visitors to get off the mark. Marshall played a precise pass down the left flank, Wood controlled, cut inside and drove home. The visitors forced a corner seven minutes later and capitalised on some poor goalkeeping from Gerken, who tried to punch it clear but failed to make sufficient contact, and Wood tapped in the loose ball. McInnes' shellshocked side struggled to muster any meaningful response as Pearson's men continued to control proceedings. And they were rewarded with a third goal just before half-time. Wood unleashed a shot from 20 yards and though Gerken got across his goal to cover it, the ball squirmed under his body. Things got even worse for the hosts early in the second half. They sloppily conceded possession inside their own half, James took full advantage, advancing to within striking distance to pick out the bottom-right corner for his first goal since August.

Kelly completes Bristol City move

Liam Kelly has joined Bristol City for an undisclosed fee after passing a medical. Kilmarnock accepted an undisclosed bid for the midfielder on Thursday and Kelly passed a medical later that day, meaning the move is now only subject to international clearance. The 22-year-old has made over 100 appearances for Killie and won the Scottish League Cup there. Manager Derek McInnes told the Robins' official website: "He has accumulated quite a lot of games and experience in the Scottish Premier League and has been a key player for Kilmarnock over the last few seasons. "He has amassed quite a lot of Under-21 games for Scotland and is now involved in the full senior squad as well. "Liam is someone we think will only get better. He gets around the pitch, utilises the ball well and takes responsibility for his position." Kelly added: "I'm pleased to be signing for a fantastic club. "I've been in England before with MK Dons, served my apprenticeship and then moved to Kilmarnock for four seasons. "It's a big step to take (to come to Bristol City) but one I'm looking forward to. I can't wait to get going now and get training with the lads."

Bristol City hold Hammers

West Ham lost further ground to npower Championship leaders Southampton after drawing 0-0 against lowly Bristol City.Boss Sam Allardyce has this week brushed off criticism of his side's style of play, claiming teams that gain promotion need to know how to win ugly.But a stalemate at home to the side who kicked off propping up the division will be hard to stomach for the second-placed Hammers.In fairness they would surely have won at a canter had Frederic Piquionne's radar not deserted him in front of goal, while Kevin Nolan was twice denied by David James and Freddie Sears was a whisker away when he rattled a post.But City, full of confidence after a first win under new boss Derek McInnes on Saturday, were themselves a threat on the break and also hit the woodwork.
Julien Faubert and substitute Carlton Cole both missed late chances in a frantic finish, and Yannick Bolasie fired narrowly wide in the 89th minute as the Robins claimed a morale-boosting point.

Match Report: Doncaster 1 Bristol City 1

James Hayter atoned for his second-half penalty miss by scoring the goal that earned Doncaster their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Bristol City.After a dismal start to the campaign, Albert Adomah poured more misery on Sean O'Driscoll's beleaguered Rovers by netting on the stroke of half-time.And, to the despair of the home fans, Hayter then blasted wide from the spot after Kyle Bennett was fouled in the box.But, after pressing for an equaliser, Doncaster got it as Hayter turned the hero when he rose to head home Milan Lalkovic's cross.Doncaster headed into the game as the npower Championship's bottom side, pointless and having lost five of their last six games in all competitions.

Southampton Sign Bristol City's Fontaine in £1m Deal

Southampton have agreed a fee with Bristol City for centre half Liam Fontaine.

An initial bid worth £400,000 was turned down on Monday, but Saints returned yesterday with an improved offer, which was enough to tempt the City board into selling.

The club will reportedly pay £800,000 up front, with potential add-ons taking the fee beyond the £1m mark.

Fontaine, who had expressed his desire to talk to Southampton, travelled south last night to discuss personal terms.

The 25-year-old, who has been troubled with an ankle problem, must now complete a medical before his switch to St Mary's can be finalised.

Match Report:Leicester 1 Bristol City 2

City suffered their second home defeat in as many games this season as Nicky Maynard inspired Bristol City to their first win of the campaign.Maynard scored twice, either side of a David Nugent equaliser, to give the Robins victory King Power Stadium, having also missed a penalty during a frustrating first half for Sven-Goran Eriksson's Foxes.The former Crewe striker ultimately proved the difference between the two sides - making the most of two defensive errors to settle an even contest and leave City searching for form ahead of their weekend trip to local rivals Nottingham Forest.Showing five changes from the weekend, including a debut for Sean St. Ledger in place of skipper Matt Mills, City started well on Wednesday night - Nugent and captain Richie Wellens combining to release Lloyd Dyer down the right and his cross cut out just before it reached Paul Gallagher.It was the sort of the purposeful start the home fans were looking for, but when Sol Bamba pulled a long ball down on his chest and lost out to Jamal Campbell-Ryce on the edge of his own box, Gelson Fernandes' foul afforded the visitors their first sight of goal.Five minutes on the clock and Maynard made no mistake; fizzing a 20-yard drive in off the inside of the post from Neil Kilkenny's touch.But as the home side's tails started to lift, an error from St. Ledger cost them dearly.Bristol City's pressing game had been impressive all night - Maynard and Kilkenny particularly quick to close down space - and Maynard finally got his reward on 66 minutes.Bearing down on St. Ledger 10 yards inside the Foxes' half, Maynard stole possession before raiding away at pace.Bamba raced across to cover, but Maynard saw him coming, slipping past the Ivorian before slotting past Schmeichel with confidence.Knowing they would have to come back once more, City set about the task well and nearly found an equaliser on 77 minutes - King working his way into the box down the left before chipping into the box, where Gerken flicked the ball against the fortunate Lewin Nyatanga, who unwittingly found the arms of his goalkeeper.

Millen's visitors should have closed the game out in the final stages - substitutes Kalifa Cisse and Ryan Taylor both wasting glorious openings at the death.

But it was City that nearly produced the late drama when St. Ledger's high ball into the box was spilled by Gerkan under pressure from Neil Danns, and Bamba failed to find the unguarded target under pressure from Nyatanga.

Match Report:Bristol City 0 Ipswich Town 3

A Michael Chopra brace helped fire Ipswich Town to a 3-0 opening day victory at Bristol City and put the Blues top of the Championship table for the first Saturday of the new season.Having been satisfied with his team's friendly display against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week, Ipswich manager Paul Jewell named an identical side for the trip to Ashton Gate. David Stockdale started in goal with Ivar Ingimarsson and Aaron Cresswell in defence, while Mark Kennedy provided the support behind Lee Bowyer and captain Grant Leadbitter in midfield. Meanwhile Jay Emmanuel-Thomas lined up on the right leaving Michael Chopra as a lone striker.

Emmanuel-Thomas showed some of his skill to set up Kennedy for the first shot of the game on 7 minutes, the veteran midfielder firing over from 18 yards. A minute later, Edwards rolled the ball to Leadbitter whose effort appeared to clip the top of the crossbar as it curled over.

With a quarter of an hour gone however, the Blues were in front. David James came out to collect Kennedy's long ball forward but Michael Chopra managed to reach it first and found the perfect touch to lift the ball over the onrushing Bristol keeper into the net to make it 1-0.

Kennedy had a shot blocked after more good work from Emmanuel-Thomas as the Blues kept up their bright start, but City gradually began to get into the game as the half wore on, Marvin Elliott forcing a good save from Stockdale who tipped his header around the post.

Chances were few and far between for either side as half time approached, Liam Fontaine heading wide of the near post from Jamal Campbell-Ryce's corner before referee Mark Haywood blew for the end of the first half.

Bristol had slowly begun to put pressure on Ipswich after Chopra's opening goal, but the Town defence was holding off the danger reasonably well, young full-back Cresswell putting in a particularly impressive display along with Lee Martin on the left.

Neither manager made any changes at the break as the second half began, Bristol's Nicky Maynard having a goal ruled out by the offside flag shortly after the restart.

Five minutes after thinking they had found an equaliser, the hosts instead found themselves 2-0 down. Emmanuel-Thomas played a superb through ball along the floor to send Lee Martin dashing towards goal, the winger shrugging off pressure from two City defenders before slotting coolly across James and into the far side of the net.

Eager to get themselves back into the game, Bristol started to up the pressure, Elliott heading wide on 53 minutes. Stockdale was then forced into a diving save low to his right from Campbell-Ryce before Albert Adomah volleyed wide from Ingimarsson's nod on at the subsequent corner.

Right on the hour mark however, Town extended their lead. With Michael Chopra keeping up the pressure, a poor backpass put James in such a muddle that he hit his attempted clearance into the Town striker's body, allowing him to roll the ball into the empty net for his second goal of the day - and sixth in eight matches including pre-season.

Ipswich were now cruising to a win that was temporarily putting them top of the Championship table by virtue of goal difference, something which the 1,700 travelling Blues fans in the Wedlock Stand were making plenty of noise about. Meanwhile on the pitch, Brett Pitman and former Town transfer target Neil Kilkenny replaced Jon Stead and Campbell-Ryce for the hosts while Tommy Smith came on for Damien Delaney after the Blues defender suffered a minor knock.

Maynard curled a shot into the arms of Stockdale and Elliott headed wide from a corner as the hosts tried to salvage something from the game. The Blues were then left thanking their new keeper for preserving their clean sheet with a fantastic save from point blank range to deny Maynard.

Robins boss Keith Millen made his final chance with Martyn Woolford replacing Jamie McAllister, but Town were still threatening further goals, Leadbitter dragging a shot wide on 75 minutes. At the other end, Adomah and Elliott spurned chances before Leadbitter again found the woodwork, his low drive hitting the foot of the near post.

With 5 minutes of normal time left, Emmanuel-Thomas was taken off to applause from the away supporters to replaced by Josh Carson. Four minutes later, goalscorer Chopra recieved a rapturous sendoff as he left the field to be replaced by fellow summer signing Nathan Ellington.

As four minutes of injury time arrived, Bristol City continued to waste chances from set-pieces with Carson in particular threatening on the counter attack for Town. However, there were to be no further goals as Haywood sounded the final whistle to wrap up an excellent first day win for the Blues.

Boss Jewell will be delighted to see Chopra opening his account so quickly, his two goals demonstrating his natural ability to capitalise on the opportunities given to him. Emmanuel-Thomas offered plenty of attacking threat as well as height whilst youngster Cresswell - despite being only 5ft 7in - was able to get his head to just about every long ball by the hosts.

Stockdale impressed with a couple of key saves to ensure Town kept the clean sheet, while Martin's goal capped off an excellent performance overall and Leadbitter will consider himself unlucky not to have made the scoreline even more emphatic.