Huddersfield humbled by rampant Robins
Despite being third from the bottom of the EFL Championship, Bristol City thrashed Huddersfield Town 4-0 to move out of the relegation zone.
Two goals from Tammy Abraham and one each for Aden Flint and David Cotterill hauled Bristol City out of the EFL Championship relegation zone with a comprehensive 4-0 victory at Ashton Gate on Saturday (AEDT).
The match was marred somewhat by a serious injury to Terriers midfielder Jonathan Hogg in the first half, who was treated on the field for almost 15 minutes after a collision with a team-mate Mark Hudson left him unable to move, apparently suffering a serious neck injury.
The stoppage — and no doubt concern for a team-mate — seemed to distract Huddersfield and when half-time eventually came after an hour on the field, it was trailing 2-0.
Lee Tomin scored the first for the Robins on the half-hour after Hudson, still rattled from the collision with Hogg, gave the ball away to Abraham, allowing him to pass to Tomlin, who rounded the keeper and placed the ball in the back of the net.
Abraham scored the second in the 14th minute of an elongated stoppage-time, the 18-year-old striker neatly slotting home a Cotterill cross for his 22 goal of the season, 19 of them in the Championship, since arriving on loan from Premier League leader Chelsea.
The second half proved no more fruitful for Huddersfield, although a bright start saw Frank Fielding forced into an early save, Australia's Aaron Mooy unable to convert the follow-up.
Danny Ward then pulled off a magnificent stop at the other end from Callum O'Dowda's point-blank header, suggesting it might spark his team-mates into action, but it failed to inspire.
With 11 minutes left, Aden Flint pulled off a superb back-heeled finish to beat Ward and make it 3-0 before Joe Bryan was foled in the box by Philip Billing, allowing Cotterill to step up and finish from the penalty spot.
The win sees the Robins move up to 19th on the Championship table and out of the relegation zone, three points clear and with a far more favourable goal difference than those below.
Huddersfield remains third top and will not be dislodged this weekend, Reading having moved into fourth spot, four points, after a 2-0 away win in the night's other match against fellow play-off hopeful Sheffield Wednesday.