Robins rocking as hat-trick hero

EMIL RIIS netted his first hat-trick for Bristol City to help them secure a place in the FA Cup fourth round with a thumping victory over Championship rivals Watford at Ashton Gate.

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Riis netted an early opener, created the second for Anis Mehmeti and then bagged two more in nine second-half minutes as the rampant Robins scored five goals for the second successive home game.

The Hornets had won four successive matches in an undefeated run of seven games which had helped them into the playoffs spots in the Championship table.

But their much-changed starting lineup was unable to pose any real threat upon their lively hosts, who trail them by four places in the league ladder - not that anyone would have thought judging by these two contrasting performances.

The hosts led inside two minutes when Neto Borges chipped to the far post from the left and Riis leapt unmarked to net with a downward header.