Sigurdsson on form as Royals win again

2 goals from the outstanding Gylfi Sigurdsson gave the Royals all three points in a dominant performance against Bristol City. The Icelander grabbed both his goals in the first half and we should have grabbed a few more.

With Andy Griffin injured, Brynjar Gunnarsson returned to the side at right back, and Brian McDermott also decided to bring Jobi McAnuff straight back into the team following suspension in place of Grzegorz Rasiak.

Despite an early effort from Bristol City right back Bradely Orr, the Royals started really brightly and Shane Long and Gylfi Sigurdsson both had half chances but lacked a little bit of composure in front of goal.

However there was no lack of composure in the 12th minute when Ryan Bertrand charged forward and slipped a good pass to McAnuff on the right. He crossed perfectly for Sigurdsson who leapt like a salmon and headed the ball into the net past the City keeper Dean Gerken, who had no chance.

He almost had a second when a great move involving Jay Tabb and Kebe saw the Icelandic midfielder head goal wards only for Gerken to save this time. The chances continued to come, and they were all falling for Sigurdsson, this time he turned and shot just wide.

It wasn`t a surprise when we, and Sigurdsson, scored a second goal. He charged into the area to latch onto McAnuff`s pass but was clearly tripped by Paul Hartley. After Long`s miss in midweek there was no way he was going to take it, and 'The Sig` comfortably smashed the ball home.

We continued to dominate, Mills, Long and Kebe all had chances before Sigurdsson took centre stage once more and nearly completed his hat trick, but Hartley cleared on the line to deny him.

The Robins changed their front two at half time but it didn`t make much difference as the second period started as we continued to dominate possession, but the first real chance of the half came just before the hour when Jamal Campbell Ryce raced past Gunnarsson and tested Federici, but the Aussie stopper denied him at the second attempt.

Straight up the other end, Howard smashed the ball towards goal from the edge of the area but Gerken saved the initial effort, and then Long`s follow up. The keeper was keeping the faint hopes of the visitors alive, and denied Kebe who latched onto Long`s flick when he charged down the shot from the on fire Mali winger.

There was lull in the game and you thought the Royals would need another just to make this game safe, but in the final 15 minutes we stepped it up again. Sigurdsson got on the end of Long`s cross but couldn`t get it past Gerken, and Bertrand then crossed for Long but he too was denied by the keeper but both were easy saves to make.

Sigurdsson volleyed over and McAnuff also blasted over the bar from Tabb`s pull back and the third goal never arrived but this was a complete performance from the Royals who dominated from start to finish and could have run up a cricket score.

Gylfi Sigurdsson put in a fantastic display in the 'free role` in midfield, he scored twice and could have easily walked away with the match ball. He also made numerous chances for others and can be delighted with his afternoon`s work.

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