0-1, MIN 8, Bryan.
Joe Bryan scored the game's only goal as Bristol City won their first Championship game of the season at Middlesbrough.
Boro thought they had levelled in the 13th minute but Stewart Downing's goal was ruled out for an apparent infringement. In the second-half Middlesbrough hammered the Bristol City goal but they couldn't find a way past goalkeeper Ben Hamer.
Team news
For the game, Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka made four changes to the team that drew at Derby County. Out came Ben Gibson, Albert Adomah, Diego Fabbrini and Kike, in to replace them was Emilio Nsue, Christian Stuani, Yanic Wildschut and David Nugent.
Bristol City made two changes with Mark Little and Bobby Reid coming in for Ryan Fredericks and Callum Robinson.
Exciting opening sees City lead
In the early exchanges the game struggled to find a rhythm with neither team able to assert their authority. After Downing had dragged an effort wide, Bristol City took the lead when Bryan curled the ball in after it was played into him by Aaron Wilbraham. Boro immediately looked to get back into the game and Daniel Ayala went close when he had an effort deflected wide.
From the resulting corner Boro looked to have levelled when Downing put the ball in the net but it was ruled for an infringement. Wildschut was the next to go close when he forced Hamer into his first save of the afternoon. In the 17th minute Bristol City had two chances to double their lead. First Wilbraham had a shot saved by Dimi Konstantopoulos then Reid could only fire over from point-blank.
City went close again in the 29th minute when Jonathan Kodijia waltzed through before he had an effort saved by Konstantopoulos. In the 36th minute Downing came close when he sent an effort narrowly wide.
Second-half showing by Boro all in vain
In the second half Boro came out a determined outfit with Fabbrini coming on to replace Wildschut. Downing was always looking to create and twice he was close to being involved in an equalising goal. First he crossed for Stuani, who saw his effort blocked by Hamer. He then crossed for Ayala who forced the best out of Hamer with a header.
Hamer was again called on ten minutes later when Nugent forced him into another save after the ball had broke to him in the box. In the 74th minute, Hamer was wise again as he saved a Nugent shot at the near post. In the final ten minutes Middlesbrough forced the issue but they wre unable to craft any meaningful chances to get back into the game.
Next up for Boro is a Captial One Cup game at Burton Albion, while Bristol City host Burnley in the Championship next Saturday.
