Bristol City launched their Championship campaign in spectacular fashion with a 4-1 demolition of Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, inflicting immediate misery on new Blades manager Ruben Selles. The emphatic victory served as redemption for the Robins, who suffered a 6-0 aggregate defeat to United in last season's play-off semi-finals.
Scott Twine ignited the visitors' charge with a trademark fifth-minute free-kick, curling a 25-yard effort beyond stranded goalkeeper Michael Cooper. Though Tyrese Campbell leveled nine minutes later after latching onto Callum O'Hare's precision through-ball, Bristol City swiftly regained control through Ross McCrorie's thunderous 26th-minute strike from the edge of the area.
The second half began disastrously for Selles' side as Anis Mehmeti converted Emil Jakobsen's cross just 36 seconds after the restart. Twine compounded the misery with his second in the 51st minute, his deflected shot wrong-footing Cooper after McCrorie intercepted Rhys Norrington-Davies' errant pass.
Bristol City manager Gerhard Struber hailed his team's "sharp transitions and clean finishing," praising the collective energy that secured a dream start to his Championship return. Meanwhile, Selles conducted an immediate on-pitch inquest with his players amid boos from the 28,033-strong crowd, acknowledging: "We need to be much better. Every team suffers pain, and unfortunately ours came today."
The result marks a stunning reversal from May's play-off encounter, with Struber's tactical approach overwhelming a disjointed Blades defense throughout. While Bristol City revel in early momentum, Sheffield United face urgent questions before their next fixture after conceding four goals in a season opener for the first time since 2012.
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