JWSport Jacek Waszak – Sport journalist
I was at the match on January 1, 2026, at 3:00 PM. What a match it was. I was there that day, as I am every year, and I’m keeping this tradition alive. The weather was very good that day, and there were a huge crowd at the match that day—a staggering 24,649,000. The first goal arrived after 11 minutes, scored by Adam Randell, who slotted the ball into the net from outside the penalty area.
Portsmouth’s recent performances have been characterized by inconsistency and missed chances. Although they managed to win against Charlton, their overall form remains worrying. A lack of attacking firepower was a serious problem—they have scored just six goals in their last five matches. The midfield duo of Dozzell and Lang showed flashes of potential but struggled to convert possession into goals. The match against Bristol City highlighted the ongoing difficulties both teams face in scoring.
The tactical formation employed by both teams played a key role in the match’s outcome. Bristol City’s 3-4-2-1 formation allowed them to dominate possession and create numerical superiority in key areas of the pitch. Their ability to quickly transition from defense to attack repeatedly surprised Portsmouth. Portsmouth’s 4-2-3-1 formation, on the other hand, lacked the fluidity to break down Bristol’s organized defense, leading to frustration for the attackers.
24′ Bristol City – Portsmouth 2 – 0. Anis Mehmeti fired a right-footed shot from distance into the bottom left corner of the goal to score the second goal, passing and providing an assist for Jason Knight.
Scott Twine’s 50 made it 3-0 after the break, and Sinclair Armstrong’s second-half double sealed a joyous New Year’s Eve 2026 at Ashton Gate.
The result returned Bristol City to winning ways after their defeat to Millwall and snapped Portsmouth’s four-match unbeaten run.
John Mousinho’s visitors entered the New Year’s Day match still in good spirits after Monday’s dramatic victory over Charlton, but after an initial onslaught, they quickly found their footing.
As Portsmouth tried to close the gap, goalkeeper Schmid’s pass was intercepted by Memeti, who raced towards goal and deflected a shot into the net.
The second half brought no respite for the visitors. Neto Borges’s cross found the boot of Twine, whose stunning volley went just wide before Schmid fell to the ground.
Substitute Sam Bell intercepted another misplaced pass from Schmid and played it to Armstrong, who managed to squeeze the shot under the retreating Portsmouth defender.
Portsmouth’s best chance of the match came just before the 70th minute, when striker Mackenzie Kirk headed a free-kick from six yards out, which Max O’Leary saved.
In the 78th minute, Randell’s shot went wide, and five minutes later, Armstrong’s shot went wide.
Late in the game, Connor Chaplin had a promising long-range shot, but Max O’Leary confidently saved it.
In stoppage time, Armstrong scored his third goal of the season, making it 5-0 after substitute Yu Hirakawa passed the ball to him in the penalty area and slotted it into the top corner.
“This result could be almost perfect. We pressed high really well, and that makes me really happy.”
“We didn’t give Portsmouth anything today. We kept a clean sheet, were stable, controlled the game, and dashed all their hopes.”
“The atmosphere in the team is really good now. We had a plan and we executed it.”
On Adam Randell, who scored for the second consecutive match: “He’s crazy right now; he’s at an excellent level, and I’m really happy with his development and that he’s had a really good development.”
On whether Sinclair Armstrong has made a breakthrough this season: “There hasn’t been a turning point for him this season, we’re just at a point where he understands what I want, who he can be, and what his unique strengths are.” Interviewed by Bristol City manager Gerhard Struber on BBC Radio
BRISTOL CITY – PORTSMOUTH 5 – 0
BRISTOL CITY: O’Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Atkinson (Pring 63’); McCrorie (Hirakawa 56’), Knight (c) (Pecover 77’), Randell, Borges; Twine (Bell 56’), Mehmeti, Riis (Armstrong 56’)
PORTSMOUTH: Schmid; Poole (c), Shaughnessy, Bowat; Devlin, Le Roux, Dozzell, Swanson; Segečić, Swift; Kirk
Attendance: 24,649 (2,464 away)
