Nahki Wells has Robins back on song with quickfire second-half double at Stoke

Posted Wednesday, October 23, 2024 by PA

Nahki Wells struck a quick-fire double as Bristol City came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Stoke.

Lewis Koumas and Andrew Moran had put the Potters 2-0 up inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour before a brace from Wells inside three minutes early in the second half hauled the Robins level.

The draw extended Bristol City’s unbeaten run to six matches as they continued to be without head coach Liam Manning following the death of this son Theo earlier this month.

The Potters made a dream start as on-loan Liverpool winger Koumas opened the scoring with an acrobatic effort in the second minute.

Eric Boucat’s cross was knocked down by Thomas Cannon and 19-year-old Koumas swivelled to thump the bouncing ball beyond City goalkeeper Max O’Leary.

The Potters doubled their lead in the 14th minute and Koumas was heavily involved once again.

The Liverpool youngster’s ball in was met by Moran at the back post, who was credited with the goal despite O’Leary parrying the effort onto City midfielder Max Bird.

Stoke were forced to endure an onslaught for the rest of the first half as the visitors racked up 18 shots on goal.

Viktor Johansson preserved the Potters’ two-goal lead on numerous occasions as he kept Wells at bay before turning Jason Knight’s shot around the post.

The Sweden international had to be at his very best to prevent Bird reducing the deficit with a crisply-struck half volley from the edge of the box.

Wells was next to go close when his header was saved by Johansson before Knight headed wide from the resulting corner.

A crazy three-minute spell after the break saw Bristol City deservedly back on level terms.

The Robins reduced the deficit when Joe Williams’ cross evaded everyone in the Stoke box and the unmarked Wells slotted in at the far post.

Michael Rose’s error handed Wells his second shortly after when the defender poked the ball through to the forward, who made no mistake from inside the six-yard box.

Johansson was called into action once again to prevent City completing the turnaround with a fine double save.

First he prevented West Ham loanee George Earthy netting his first Robins goal before beating away Mark Sykes’ follow-up header.

The Robins continued to cause Stoke problems from set pieces.

Knight came closest to getting a winner when he met Williams’ corner before Johansson turned the ball onto the post.

Stoke then almost sneaked a winner when O’Leary diverted an effort from substitute Niall Ennis onto the roof of the net as both sides finished with a point from an entertaining encounter.