Tomi Horvat impressed on his Bristol City debut as Gerhard Struber’s Robins came from behind to beat Hull City at the MKM Stadium

18:34, 07 Feb 2026Updated 18:41, 07 Feb 2026

Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber celebrates after the Robins’ win over Hull City(Image: EFL)

Gerhard Struber admits that the way Bristol City responded to last week’s defeat to Derby County in their win over Hull City didn’t come as a surprise, with the Robins boss impressed by his side’s – and new signing Tomi Horvat’s – display.

The Reds secured just a third league win of the new year to move within a point of the play-off places as they came from behind to beat the Tigers 3-2 at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, thanks to goals from Rob Atkinson, Ross McCrorie and Emil Riis.

Hull took the lead when Oli McBurnie slotted under Radek Vitek midway through the first half, but Atkinson headed City level just nine minutes later. McCrorie then curled Struber’s side into the lead before the break with a smart right-footed finish.

OPINION

READ MORE: Hull City 2-3 Bristol City reaction: Goals from Atkinson, McCrorie and Twine secure win for Reds

It looked like the points had been wrapped up when Riis scored his 11th of the campaign after a swift counter-attack shortly after the restart, but a late strike from Kieran Dowell ensured that it was a nervy last 20 minutes or so for the travelling supporters.

In the end, though, the Robins were able to hold on to bounce back from last week’s 5-0 defeat to Derby. While the difference between the two performances may have caught fans off-guard, it wasn’t a shock for Struber.

Bristol City’s Noah Eile, Neto Borges and Robert Dickie celebrate at full time following the Sky Bet Championship match at the MKM Stadium, Kingston upon Hull.(Image: PA)

“With the hard work, how we did it, this was teamwork on a really high level today,” the head coach told Bristol Live after the full-time whistle. “We knew after the defeat against Derby, this is the time – a really good time – to show a reaction, with the new players – to find and create for ourselves a good performance but also a chance for momentum.

“Especially when you want to win here, every single player has to come on his border; it’s clear. They are in really good form, they have individuals with high quality, and they have confidence at the moment, which means for us, we need the players to go on the border.

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“Today, I think I saw it in more directions: how we press higher, how we press in the midfield and then a little bit deeper, so in more directions, we find a different behaviour with how high on the field we bring them under pressure. At the same time, we were really sharp in the transition; we were clear, clean and of course, it was really good to see with Tomi Horvat a new player in.

“I think we had a good energy and preparation,” Struber added. “I was not surprised we jumped back today. We had, in the end, a good band between us and a clear understanding of how we want to do it today.

“The boys were great, they invest and the reward has come quickly.”

While he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself, Horvat impressed in what was his full debut for the Robins following his transfer deadline day move from Sturm Graz.

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The 26-year-old picked up the assist for Atkinson’s leveller as he curled a left-footed corner onto the defender’s head, and played a part in what proved to be the winner from Riis as his run afforded the Dane space to be picked out by Twine.

Although he may have only been a City player for a matter of days, the Slovenian international looked a natural in the Championship, something which – like Saturday’s result – hasn’t come as a surprise to his new head coach.

Tomi Horvat of Bristol City celebrates victory with the fans(Image: Greig Cowie/Shutterstock)

“We integrated him in the week, really quickly, and he shows us also a good performance,” Struber said. “Really important service for the equaliser and in the end, we defend this game in our way, with the one or other break.

“I think it’s also, with the character we have in our dressing room, not difficult to jump in,” the head coach added. “I think with our leadership group in the changing room, how we do it with new players, there’s a very warm feeling.

“I think this was for Tomi, very easy to jump in and realise our world of football.”

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