Bristol City secured a gritty away point to stop a losing streak, drawing 0-0 with Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday. The Championship contest was the first goalless draw of the season for both sides, played out in difficult conditions as Storm Boelo brought heavy rain and wind to Staffordshire.
Michael Skubala’s side, now 15th in the table with 14 points from 11 games, showed defensive resilience to avoid a third consecutive loss. The head coach made several changes, switching to a 3-5-2 formation and handing a start to goalkeeper Brad Collins, who kept a clean sheet. Lisav Eissat returned to the back line, while Joe Williams added grit in midfield after coming back into the side.
Key moments in tough conditions
The hosts started brighter, with Lamine Cisse firing high inside two minutes before leaving injured. Bristol City grew into the game and created the best chance of the first half. Rio Cardines, on loan from Crystal Palace, found space on the right and cut the ball back for Gibson Yah, but the forward scuffed his effort wide from 12 yards. Luke McNally, a former Stoke loanee who was a standout performer in the heart of defence, later headed a Cam Pring cross narrowly wide after the restart.
Stoke had opportunities of their own. Ben Wilmot saw a half-volley fly just over, and Bosun Lawal fired over from a Jack McGlynn corner. In stoppage time, McGlynn’s curling effort left Collins stranded but flashed past the post. At the other end, Dom Ballard glanced a header over and later whistled a shot over the bar as both teams searched for a winner that never came.
A point that provides a platform
The draw lifts Bristol City one place in the standings, though they remain 11 points adrift of leaders Middlesbrough. It provides a platform ahead of a trip to face 17th-placed Bolton on October 31. Skubala will be encouraged by the defensive solidity, with McNally’s sliding challenge on George Hirst before halftime typifying the commitment. Substitutes Brian De Keersmaecker and Sam Bell also brought energy late on.
This was a match where conditions were as much an opponent as the team in red and white. Bristol City battled through them to earn a valuable point on the road, setting their sights on building momentum at the University of Bolton Stadium next week.
Background and full detail: Sky Sports Football
