Bristol City Claim Vital Boxing Day Victory Over West Brom to Reach Play-Off Places

Bristol City Secure Crucial Away Win at The Hawthorns

First-half goals from Anis Mehmeti and Ross McCrorie helped Bristol City climb into the Sky Bet Championship play-off zone with a 2-1 victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns on Boxing Day, 26 December 2025. The result marked Bristol City’s third straight Boxing Day victory in the Championship, demonstrating the Robins’ growing resilience under manager Gerhard Struber.

Early Goals Seal the Points

The match began with the Reds starting well, and with less than five minutes played, they had taken the lead through Mehmeti. The Albanian opened the scoring with a low right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area. McCrorie doubled City’s lead in the 22nd minute, crashing a fierce, rising angled drive past Wildsmith at his near post after Scott Twine found him unmarked. The two-goal cushion gave Bristol City control of the match throughout the first half.

Tense Finale Despite Dominant Display

West Bromwich Albion fought back in the closing stages when Diakite gave the hosts a lifeline with a header from point-blank range from Johnston’s corner in the 85th minute. The home side nearly salvaged a point in dramatic fashion, as Grant hit the crossbar at the death, but City held on to claim victory at the Hawthorns. Back-to-back wins for City saw Albion suffer a first Hawthorns defeat in eight matches and successive losses.

Play-Off Push Gains Momentum

The three points gained at The Hawthorns are enough for City to climb back into the Championship play-off places, with Gerhard Struber’s side sixth at the time of writing. Manager Struber praised his team’s performance, with Bristol City’s confidence being the difference-maker during their Boxing Day win over West Brom. The Austrian coach emphasised his side’s “efficiency” following their 1-2 win, noting that Anis Mehmeti and Ross McCrorie’s first half goals were enough for the Robins to see out the match.

Significance for Championship Campaign

This victory represents a crucial moment in Bristol City’s season, as they continue their push for promotion to the Premier League. The Robins have now demonstrated they can win in hostile away environments against promotion rivals, a quality essential for any team with play-off ambitions. With the Reds securing back-to-back league wins for the first time since October, momentum is clearly building at Ashton Gate. As the Championship campaign reaches its halfway point, Bristol City’s Boxing Day triumph at West Brom could prove pivotal in their quest for top-six finish.