Bristol City 2-0 Southampton: Sunday Mirror match report

Even double Olympic champion Kip Keino could not fail to be impressed by the pace of Albert Adomah as Bristol City’s flying winger left table-topping Saints trailing in his wake at Ashton Gate.

In Bristol as part of a Kenyan fact-finding mission ahead of next year’s 2012 London Olympics, the legendary middle-distance star was treated to an athletic master-class by the fleet-footed Adomah, who ripped the runaway leaders to shreds as the Championship form-book was turned on its head.

Billed as a shoot-out between Saints top-scorer Rickie Lambert and £6m-rated striker Nicky Maynard, this action-packed contest instead turned into the Adomah show, the London-born winger further pressing his claims for inclusion in Ghana’s squad for the African Cup of Nations in January.

The former Barnet man proved too hot for the league leaders to handle, firing the Robins in front after 48 minutes and then turning provider to set-up Nicky Maynard  six minutes from time.

Unable to contain Adomah’s pace, Southampton tasted defeat for only the third time this season and, in truth, could have no complaints.

As for the rocking Robins, they continue to go from strength to strength under new manager Derek McInnes, who has presided over four wins and a draw in six games since succeeding Keith Millen in the Ashton Gate hot seat in October.

Saints may have arrived in the West Country victorious in their last four outings, five points clear of West Ham at the top of the table and backed by a travelling contingent of 2,500, but they met their match in the form of a City side that has rediscovered the art of winning under McInnes.

Apart from Adam Lallana’s 14th minute effort, which drew a smart one-handed save from former England goalkeeper David James, the visitors scarcely created a chance worthy of mention.

Thereafter, it was City who played the more cohesive football and created the better chances, Maynard, Adomah and Stephen Pearson all going close to breaking the deadlock in the first half.

City finally translated their dominance into the hard currency of goals three minutes into the second half, Adomah skipping inside two challenges and beating Saints keeper Kelvin Davis with a left-footed shot which took a wicked deflection off Jose Fonte on its way into the net.

And the game was effectively over as a contest six minutes from time, Maynard racing on to

Adomah’s through ball and sending a rising shot beyond Davis to register his seventh goal of an

increasingly productive season.

Saints boss Nigel Adkins admitted: “We didn’t penetrate nearly enough. We’re a side that scores a lot of goals, yet we didn’t create many chances.”

City boss McInnes praised Adomah, claiming: “He was almost unplayable at times. He has been terrific and he’s still learning and improving.

“But it would be wrong to single out any one player, because the whole team were outstanding.”