Nahki Wells admitted it was emotional making his Bristol City debut in Saturday’s win over former club Queens Park Rangers at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.  

Famara Diedhiou’s 16th minute header from a Jack Hunt cross put the visitors ahead before City survived a flurry of late QPR pressure to earn a fourth consecutive Championship win.

Wells, who was recalled by Burnley from a loan spell at QPR last week, signed for The Robins on transfer deadline day and made his return to south-west London quicker than he might have expected, coming off the bench in the second half to a warm reception from the home supporter less than a week after they were cheering him on in Blue and White.

“The emotion was running through me today,” Wells explained.

“It was great to come on and get a good reception from the QPR fans and equally I had a huge reaction from the City fans which was great, so it was a weird feeling.

“We defended well and probably deserved a second but equally they put a lot of pressure on us.

“It was difficult for us, but we dug deep and kept the clean sheet to get the win.”


It was a familiar story for QPR who spurned chances to equalise through Bright Osayi-Samuel and Jordan Hugill and were consigned to a fifth defeat in six Championship matches by Diedhiou’s tenth goal of the season.

Manager Mark Warburton was left frustrated by QPR’s toothless performance in front of goal and wants his players to take more responsibility.

“I said after the last couple of games we have to put the ball in the back of the net and today in the second-half we’ve had chance after chance,” Warburton said. 

“I am frustrated that I keep coming in with the same message. We need to be more clinical, recognise responsibility and stick it in the back of the net.”

Bristol City boss Lee Johnson was in much better spirits, delighted that his side could extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to four matches.

“The boys defended like Trojans in the last 10 minutes which was very similar to the Reading game,” Johnson said.

“The clean sheet is massive and most importantly it is another win on the board and it takes us a step closer to our goal.

“Nahki Wells came on and was very good – he worked hard and I have no doubt that he is going to be a very successful signing for us.”

QPR, who now sit 16th on 38 points, will be aiming to bounce back when they travel to struggling Huddersfield on Saturday.