April 21, 2026<\/a>\n <\/p>\n\n Tonda Eckert wanted to make four changes to his starting lineup that beat Swansea City, with Jack Stephens, Charles, Cameron Archer and Larin all in.\n<\/p>\n
\n But Stephens felt something in the warm-up and pulled out of the game last-minute, seeing Nathan Wood retain his place from the trip to Wales.\n<\/p>\n
\n Eckert was not deterred by Bristol City’s record against Saints when he spoke pre-match, referencing other “curses” that his side have corrected.\n<\/p>\n
\n But the Robins had won six of the last seven league meetings and ended the club’s record 25-match unbeaten run with a 3-1 win in February 2024.\n<\/p>\n
\n They also thrashed Will Still’s faltering charges 3-1 in October last year, and looked to be repeating the trick with an opening goal after five minutes.\n<\/p>\n
\n Daniel Peretz had already made a big save to deny Delano Burgzorg when an in-swinging cross from Scott Twine was turned in by Ryan Manning.\n<\/p>\n
\n Saints looked sluggish after the goal, and were perhaps a little lucky that Charles was not sent off as he slipped into a two-footed tackle in midfield.\n<\/p>\n
\n But Larin pulled the hosts level after 29 minutes, as Manning’s crossed free-kick fell to his feet inside the six-yard box for his seventh goal for the club.\n<\/p>\n
\n The tactical battle developed with James Bree specifically tasked with man-marking talisman Twine, but the two sides went into the break level.\n<\/p>\n
\n Archer had a sight at goal from range immediately after the restart, but Eckert had refreshed both wings by the hour with a winning goal no closer.\n<\/p>\n
\n Leo Scienza might have had a tap-in with his first touch, but Larin’s square ball across the box was a touch behind the Brazilian at the back-post.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, Bell got on the scoresheet when he beat Charles in a duel to head a corner-kick over his shoulder into the far corner in the 63rd minute.\n<\/p>\n
\n Eckert turned to the bench and introduced Stewart for James Bree, in a move which paid dividends after the Scot’s almost immediate equaliser.\n<\/p>\n
\n Some brilliant hold-up play by Larin and a delicious hanging cross from Tom Fellows set up the physically imposing Stewart for a brutish headed goal.\n<\/p>\n
\n Then Charles should have put Saints ahead from inside the six-yard box, but his volley from Caspar Jander’s header in was straight at the goalkeeper.\n<\/p>\n
\n Saints pushed in seven added minutes, but Bristol City – aided by strange officiating – survived a goalmouth scramble and Peretz going up for a late corner.\n<\/p>\n
\n Saints: Peretz; Bree (Stewart, 70), Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Manning; Downes (Bragg, 86), Charles, Matsuki (Fellows, 57), Azaz (Jander, 70), Archer (Scienza, 57); Larin.\n<\/p>\n
\n Unused subs: Long, Wood, Edozie, Welington.\n<\/p>\n
\n Booked: Charles, Downes, Larin.\n<\/p>\n
\n Bristol City: V\u00edtek; Pring, Borges, Eile, McCrorie, Horvat (Dickie, 80), Morsy, Bell (Sykes, 72), Twine, Knight, Burgzorg.\n<\/p>\n
\n Unused subs: Thomas, Riis, Tanner, Naylor, Armstrong, Earthy, Young.\n<\/p>\n
\n Booked: Knight, Dickie, Morsy, Pring.\n<\/p>\n
\n Referee: Elliot Bell.\n<\/p>\n