Bristol City 3-0 West Brom: Sam Bell scores twice as City storm into FA Cup fifth round

Bristol City striker Sam Bell filled the void left by Antoine Semenyo with a brilliant brace as the Robins advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup at the expense of West Bromwich Albion.

Bell was given a starting spot by boss Nigel Pearson after Semenyo left for Bournemouth for £10.5million on Friday and repaid that confidence with a goal each half to inflict a humiliating defeat on the high-flying Championship rivals.

Alex Scott, valued at £25million by Ashton Gates rulers, scored his first goal of the season in an emphatic win for the West Country side.

Sam Bell scored a brace for Bristol City in Saturday’s 3-0 win against West Brom

The Baggies paid the price for manager Carlo Corberan’s decision to make five changes from the side that lost 2-1 at Championship pacesetters Burnley.

Bell, the son of former City favorite Mickey Bell, brought his side to victory in great style after 12 minutes.

The 20-year-old, whose goal was responsible for Swansea in the group stage, used the hesitant defense after two consecutive corners to circle a right foot shot past David Button’s dive.

The win means Nigel Pearson’s City will advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup

Scott, who has been linked with a move to Wolves, doubled the lead in the 28th minute by shoving the ball home from close range after an inviting low cross from Mark Sykes.

While the visitors were up front in defence, they weren’t much better in attack.

Okay, Yokuslu headed Adam Reach’s corner from six yards out and Daryl Dike broke away only to see Max O’Leary parry his low shot with a right foot.

Bell showed them how it was done and gloriously sealed the win in the 48th minute.

Alex Scott also made it into the top scorers list with a convincing performance from City

A burst of pace got him clear as he latched on to George Tanner’s ball, executing a quick touch before elegantly lifting the ball over Button.

Corberan made three substitutions to revitalize his side but it said all about a terrible performance as traveling fans scoffed as a rare attack floundered when Karlan Grant carelessly ran a pass wide open.

Their frustration deepened when O’Leary twice expertly denied substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante while Scott and Bell continued to wrestle with Corberan’s sad side at the other end.