Humble Roy Hodgson didn't want showering with praise after leading Bristol City to victory in his first game at the helm. Hodgson, 78, was appointed by the Robins last week, more than four decades after his first spell at the club.

In charge until the end of this season, the former England manager's first task was a trip to The Valley to face Charlton Athletic. City got off to a dream start after only 11 minutes, with Scott Twine giving them an early lead.

Lyndon Dykes equalised for Charlton on the half-hour mark, but a goal from Noah Eile, thanks to a dreadful error by goalkeeper Will Mannion, restored the visitors' lead. Hodgson's resolute side were able to hold onto all three points and have moved up to 13th in the Championship table, ending a run of six games without a win under former boss Gerhard Struber.

Post-match, Hodgson heaped praise on his players. "I was pleased for the team. I was pleased with the way that they went about trying to win the game," he said via the Bristol Post.

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"I thought in the first half, and in the second half, before the onslaught started, we were looking really good value for a victory. Also, I must take my hat off to that backline, the goalkeeper and the midfield players for surviving the onslaught.

"I'm afraid that the cult of the manager, the cult of the coach is something that I tend to play down. It's football players that win it. If you're going to win, you need quality in your team."

Hodgson has managed 22 different clubs and countries across his nomadic coaching career which has now spanned 50 years. It was thought that he wouldn't manage again after leaving Crystal Palace in February 2024, having fallen ill in the days leading up to his departure.

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Even though Hodgson has ruled out a long-term stay at Ashton Gate, he looked fit for the fight on the touchline. "I've learned a lot," he added. "Don't forget, this is the first time I've seen these seriously play live, so I've learned a lot.

"I think they should be proud of the fact that they came away with the three points, and I personally thought, certainly for large periods of the game, we were more deserving of it."

City's next game is on Monday at home to Sheffield United. They'll then return to London to take on Queens Park Rangers next Saturday.

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