Bristol City 1-0 West Ham: Tommy Conway scores winner as Said Benrahma sent off
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Championship Bristol City upset 10-man West Ham to book their place in the FA Cup fourth round.
The winner came in the third minute with Tommy Conway intercepting a short pass from Konstantinos Mavropanos and rounding Lukasz Fabianski before composing himself and slotting home.
West Ham, who were without key trio Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus, struggled to create, coming closest when a Tomas Soucek effort was tipped over by Max O’Leary.
David Moyes’ side were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute when Said Benrahma saw red for kicking out at Joe Williams in retaliation after being fouled.
The game continued to have an edge after that, with Bristol City midfielder Taylor Gardner-Hickman fortunate to only see yellow after appearing to swing an arm at Aaron Cresswell, before shoving him in the chest twice.
The Robins will play Premier League Nottingham Forest or League One Blackpool, who meet in their third-round replay on Wednesday, in the fourth round on Friday, 26 January.
“It is a blow [to go out],” Moyes told BBC Sport.
“We would have liked to have been in the cup but we have Europe to look forward to in March and we are in a good position in the league, but we are disappointed to go out.”
Moyes added he had “no problem” with Benrahma’s red card, but added it was “amazing they call this one of the biggest cup competitions but we don’t have VAR in all the games”.
“The atmosphere was phenomenal,” Bristol City boss Liam Manning told BBC Sport. “A special memory for me and the players.
“We showed real resilience, a good connection and level of organisation. At times it was challenging and we had to keep our emotions in check and we did a terrific job at that.
“I actually think we can improve and get a little bit better.”
West Ham’s lack of depth proves costly
With Bowen and Paqueta picking up injuries in the original tie nine days ago, and Kudus with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations, West Ham were always likely to lack firepower.
That belief was only extended with their starting front three of Danny Ings, Maxwel Cornet and Benrahma yet to score this campaign.
The early goal, which was completely avoidable and bound to infuriate Moyes, left them on the back foot.
Ings flashed an effort wide in the first half after producing a nice turn, while Cornet failed to convert a difficult chance from four yards after Soucek’s initial effort fell to him.
The Hammers were poor in the second half, with Soucek’s effort their only strike on target.
The loss of composure from Benrahma was costly with them then unable to commit and throw much at Bristol City, who were disciplined and the better side.
Moyes also had a lack of options from the bench with two goalkeepers and five youngsters among the eight named, and once again highlighted the need for West Ham to add depth to their squad.
It is the first time they have failed to reach the fourth round since 2016-17 and will lead to more questions for Moyes, with sections of the West Ham fanbase questioning his position before this early exit.
Still though, the Hammers sit sixth in the Premier League and have a Europa League last-16 tie in March. They still have plenty to play for this season.
Player of the match
ConwayTommy Conway
Bristol City
Squad number15Player nameConway
Squad number3Player namePring
Squad number2Player nameMcCrorie
Squad number26Player nameVyner
Squad number19Player nameTanner
Squad number16Player nameDickie
Squad number1Player nameO’Leary
Squad number21Player nameWells
Squad number20Player nameBell
Squad number22Player nameGardner-Hickman
Squad number6Player nameJames
Squad number12Player nameKnight
Squad number11Player nameMehmeti
Squad number8Player nameWilliams
Squad number9Player nameCornick
West Ham United
Squad number33Player nameEmerson
Squad number1Player nameFabianski
Squad number2Player nameJohnson
Squad number50Player nameMarshall
Squad number7Player nameWard-Prowse
Squad number28Player nameSoucek
Squad number4Player nameZouma
Squad number5Player nameCoufal
Squad number3Player nameCresswell
Squad number45Player nameMubama
Squad number17Player nameCornet
Squad number15Player nameMavropanos
Squad number18Player nameIngs
Squad number22Player nameBenrahma
Line-upsBristol City
Formation 3-4-2-1
1O’Leary
19Tanner26Vyner16Dickie
2McCrorie8Williams6James3Pring
22Gardner-Hickman11Mehmeti
15Conway
Substitutes
West Ham
Formation 3-4-2-1
1Fabianski
15Mavropanos4Zouma3Cresswell
5Coufal7Ward-Prowse28Soucek33Emerson
17Cornet22Benrahma
18Ings
Substitutes
Referee:Darren England
Attendance:25,616
Live Text
Match ends, Bristol City 1, West Ham United 0.
Second Half ends, Bristol City 1, West Ham United 0.
Offside, Bristol City. Harry Cornick is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Jason Knight (Bristol City) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Nahki Wells with a through ball.
Attempt missed. Nahki Wells (Bristol City) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Sam Bell.
Attempt blocked. Konstantinos Mavropanos (West Ham United) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by James Ward-Prowse with a cross.
Corner, West Ham United. Conceded by Joe Williams.
Emerson (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Joe Williams (Bristol City).
Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Kurt Zouma.
Substitution, West Ham United. Divin Mubama replaces Danny Ings.
Substitution, West Ham United. Callum Marshall replaces Aaron Cresswell.
Attempt missed. Nahki Wells (Bristol City) left footed shot from very close range is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Sam Bell.
Foul by Danny Ings (West Ham United).
Max O’Leary (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Jason Knight (Bristol City) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Substitution, Bristol City. Harry Cornick replaces Anis Mehmeti.
Substitution, Bristol City. Jason Knight replaces Taylor Gardner-Hickman.
Attempt blocked. Cameron Pring (Bristol City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt blocked. George Tanner (Bristol City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.