Nahki Wells watched from the sideline as Bristol City advanced to Round Three of the Carabao Cup after a convincing 4-0 victory over Northampton Town.
Dean Holden’s men were under the Ashton Gate lights for the first time this season and dazzled thanks to goals from Chris Martin, Antoine Semenyo and a double from Kasey Palmer.
Semenyo grabbed two assists, his first allowing Martin to head City into a half-time lead, before he set up Palmer, who rounded the goalkeeper to slot in the second of the night.
Semenyo had worked so hard all night and eventually grabbed his deserved goal – his second of the competition – with a close-range finish, before Palmer completed his brace with a cool finish after a Niclas Eliasson delivery.
Holden named nine changes for the knockout tie, with first starts for new signings Steven Sessegnon, Alfie Mawson and Martin. There were also first appearances of the season for shot-stopper Max O'Leary, Eliasson and Palmer.
It was comfortable but if there was one downside to the evening it would be an injury to Tomas Kalas. The game would last only five minutes for the Czech Republic international as the club captain had to leave the field with his arm in a makeshift sling. Taylor Moore was brought on to replace him in the back three.
Mawson would take the captain’s armband in Kalas’ absence and he proved a rock at the back, particularly in the air as Northampton Town looked to flex their physicality, though the hosts rarely looked in trouble.
