Dom Ballard announces himself with stunning Bristol City goal

Dom Ballard has opened his Bristol City account with a goal that is already being discussed among the season’s finest, although the striker’s invention did not bring his team three points. His spectacular finish gave Bristol City the lead late at Birmingham, only for the hosts to level in added time.

The game was tied at 1-1 with five minutes of normal time remaining when Rio Cardines delivered from the left flank. Ballard attacked the cross in the air and used the outside of his right heel to direct the ball into Birmingham goalkeeper’s right-hand top corner. It was his first goal since joining Bristol City and one of the defining moments of the match.

Birmingham found an equaliser during stoppage time through Demarai Gray, who scored from the penalty spot. The late goal changed the outcome and left Ballard celebrating a memorable individual effort without the full reward. The striker said he had not scored many goals like it and described the moment of running towards the supporters as an incredible feeling, while expressing disappointment at the failure to win.

Ballard, 21, moved to Bristol City from Leyton Orient during the summer for €5.8 million. The result leaves Bristol City 19th in the 24-team Championship after two matches, placing them in the early lower section of the table. Birmingham are 13th, also outside the top half, with the draw giving both clubs a point from the encounter.