Match report

Bristol City Stuns Watford 5–1 in FA Cup Clash

Bristol City
Bristol City
5–1
FT
Watford
Watford
Jan 10, 2026

In an emphatic display of strength, Bristol City stuns promotion rivals Watford with a commanding 5–1 victory in their FA Cup encounter. Early strikes by Erik Riis and Armando Mehmeti set the tone for Bristol City's dominance. Despite a late consolation goal from Jaden Grieves, Watford couldn't recover from Bristol City’s relentless attack.

Key Facts

  • • Bristol City: 5 goals (Erik Riis - 3, Armando Mehmeti - 1, Remy Atkinson - 1)
  • • Watford: 1 goal (Jaden Grieves)
  • • Yellow cards: Joe Lumley (Bristol City), Jordan Abankwah (Watford)
  • • Notable assists: Neto Borges (2)

Lineups

Bristol City

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 13 J. Lumley (G)
  • 19 G. Tanner (D)
  • 16 R. Dickie (D)
  • 5 R. Atkinson (D)
  • 14 Z. Vyner (M)
  • 12 J. Knight (M)
  • 40 S. Morsy (M)
  • 21 Neto Borges (M)
  • 20 S. Bell (F)
  • 11 A. Mehmeti (F)
  • 18 E. Riis (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 M. O'Leary
  • 3 C. Pring
  • 4 A. Randell
  • 7 Y. Hirakawa
  • 10 S. Twine
  • 24 H. Roberts
  • 27 H. Cornick
  • 30 S. Armstrong
  • 44 G. Earthy

Watford

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 12 N. Baxter (G)
  • 25 J. Abankwah (D)
  • 6 M. Pollock (D)
  • 4 K. Keben (D)
  • 22 J. Morris (D)
  • 29 J. Petris (M)
  • 10 I. Louza (M)
  • 17 M. Sissoko (M)
  • 23 N. Mendy (M)
  • 66 N. Irankunda (M)
  • 18 V. Semedo (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 E. Selvik
  • 5 H. Kyprianou
  • 7 T. Ince
  • 9 L. Kjerrumgaard
  • 16 M. Bola
  • 27 F. Mendy
  • 34 K. Baah
  • 42 O. Maamma
  • 43 J. Grieves

Timeline

  1. Bristol City
    2' Bristol City Goal · Normal Goal
    E. Riis · Assist: Neto Borges
  2. Bristol City
    37' Bristol City Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Mehmeti · Assist: E. Riis
  3. Bristol City
    58' Bristol City subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Mehmeti · On: S. Twine
  4. Bristol City
    58' Bristol City subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Bell · On: G. Earthy
  5. Bristol City
    59' Bristol City subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Jason Knight · On: A. Randell
  6. Watford
    60' Watford Card · Yellow Card
    J. Abankwah

    Foul

  7. Watford
    62' Watford subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Matthew Pollock · On: M. Bola
  8. Watford
    62' Watford subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Sissoko · On: Kwadwo Baah
  9. Watford
    62' Watford subst · Substitution 3
    Off: I. Louza · On: J. Grieves
  10. Bristol City
    66' Bristol City Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Atkinson · Assist: S. Twine
  11. Bristol City
    68' Bristol City Goal · Normal Goal
    E. Riis · Assist: Neto Borges
  12. Bristol City
    71' Bristol City subst · Substitution 4
    Off: R. Atkinson · On: Y. Hirakawa
  13. Watford
    74' Watford Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Grieves · Assist: V. Semedo
  14. Bristol City
    76' Bristol City Goal · Normal Goal
    E. Riis · Assist: G. Earthy
  15. Bristol City
    79' Bristol City Card · Yellow Card
    Joe Lumley

    Foul

  16. Bristol City
    83' Bristol City subst · Substitution 5
    Off: E. Riis · On: S. Armstrong

Match Stats

Stat Bristol City Watford
Fouls 5 12
Pass Accuracy 83% 81%
Offsides 3 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 8
Corners 3 4
Total Passes 516 452
Yellow Cards 1 1
Blocked Shots 2 2
Shots on Target 7 1
xG 2.24 0.73
Shots off Target 4 5
Possession 53% 47%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 428 365
Shots Inside Box 11 5
Saves 0 2
Shots Outside Box 2 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Erik Riis opened the scoring in just the second minute, setting a strong early tone for Bristol City.
  • ▸ Bristol City's three substitutions at the 58th minute marked a shift in momentum, with subsequent goals from Remy Atkinson and Erik Riis further widening their lead.