Gerhard Struber hails Emil Riis after brace in win over Hull

Gerhard Struber hailed the performance of summer signing Emil Riis after his Bristol City team came from behind to claim an exhilarating Championship win over Hull.

The former Preston striker claimed his first goals of the season, equalising from close range on 16 minutes and robbing defender Charlie Hughes before breaking clear to make it 3-1 just before the break.

Hull had grabbed a third-minute lead when Joe Gelhardt finished coolly from David Akintola’s through-ball, but after Riis’s leveller Anis Mehmeti put the Robins ahead.

Max Bird made it 4-1 by firing in off the underside of the crossbar on 78 minutes before Kyle Joseph scored his first Hull goal in stoppage time.

Bristol are now unbeaten in their first four Championship games and head coach Struber said: “I think we should have two more points because we had a painful moment conceding late at Derby, but overall I am very pleased with the progress the team are making.

“We reacted to Hull’s early goal by playing just the sort of football I love, very powerful and showing a lot of bravery.

“It is important for strikers to score goals so I am very pleased for Emil Riis, but he gives us so much more with his link-up play.

“His control of the ball is so good that when the ball is played up to him we expect to keep possession and that is absolutely vital.”

Struber also sang the praises of goalkeeper Radek Vitek, on loan from Manchester United, who made a stunning second-half save from Oli McBurnie.

“Radek is capable of playing in the Premier League one day and we can help him achieve that,” said Struber. “Playing every week in the Championship will help him take the next big step in his career.”

Struber admitted there had been interest in defender Zak Vyner, Wrexham reportedly among the clubs chasing the 28-year-old.

“It doesn’t surprise me that clubs are interested in Zak,” said the head coach. “But he is happy here and I hope the deadline passes without him leaving.”

Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic said: “It was a great match for the crowd, but for us coaches a game like that is a nightmare.

“The information from my analyst is that we conceded possession in our own half 25 times in the first half.

“I had a talk with my players at half-time and for 30 minutes in the second half we were better. Their goalkeeper has made an unbelievable save and had we scored then it would have been a different game.

“I am very happy for Kyle Joseph that he has scored his first goal because he works very hard and made a difference to our team play in the second half.

“But we had 11 players behind the ball when they scored their fourth goal and I find that unacceptable.

“Individual mistakes happen in football and I am not criticising players for that. What bothers me is that we gave up from our basic football principles. You cannot lose your head every time you concede a goal.”