A perfect start to 2019

Questions were being asked of Bristol City boss Lee Johnson at the end of November last year: four straight defeats rubbing a little gloss off the young manager's fast-growing reputation. Fast forward a few months, however, and Johnson has certainly silenced any doubters. 

A last-minute penalty winner from Famara Diédhiou (the striker's fifth league matchwinner so far this term) earned all three points for City against QPR last night - to maintain the Robins' perfect start to 2019. In terms of points haul, only Manchester City can match the Championship side so far this year, but even Pep Guardiola's men have slipped up (with a 1-2 defeat to Newcastle) once. 

📈 Most league points won in 2019 (top 4 tiers):
1⃣8⃣: 👊BRISTOL C*👊, Man C
1⃣7⃣: Barnsley, Luton, Bury
1⃣6⃣: Man U, Plymouth, Scunthorpe, Mansfield
* only perfect league record remaining in 2019

🔗: https://t.co/GqNtbp6Lb8#BristolCity @BristolCity pic.twitter.com/8MVWd3ZEO6

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) February 13, 2019

Johnson's side, meanwhile, are on a serious roll - winning their last 9 games in all competitions: seven Championship wins complemented by FA Cup wins against Huddersfield Town and Bolton Wanderers. 

Despite their winning habits, 37-year-old Johnson - who memorably guided City to the last four of the EFL Cup last season - admitted he had to lay into his players last night to inspire their comeback:

"Even if we had lost that game, I was proud of the second half performance.

"I asked the players at half-time to be brave as our first-half performance wasn't good enough, I wanted the players to drive into space with the ball and create the openings.

"I haven't had to get mad too often at half-time this season, but this was one time when we weren't doing enough as individuals to take the game to the opposition.

"Every three points is vital. The boys are on a great run and it's brilliant to coach them when you get responses like that."

📈 Most C'ship matchwinners in 2018/19:
5⚽: 💥DIÉDHIOU💥, McGoldrick, Pukki
4⚽: Marriott, Roofe
3⚽: Assombalonga, Campbell, Dack, Grabban, João, McBurnie

🔗: https://t.co/Q6OAAHR0ng#BristolCity @BristolCity @famara2001 pic.twitter.com/URHVT7lDcT

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) February 13, 2019

Looking to maintain their incredible start to 2019, the Robins face 2017/18 Championship winner Wolves this Sunday in the FA Cup, with a spot in the last 8 up for grabs.