Hat-trick hero Emil Riis fires rampant Bristol City past Watford in FA Cup

Emil Riis netted a hat-trick as Bristol City secured a place in the FA Cup fourth round with a thumping 5-1 victory over Championship rivals Watford at Ashton Gate.

Riis netted an early opener, created the second for Anis Mehmeti and then bagged two more in nine second-half minutes as the rampant Robins scored five goals for the second successive home game.

The hosts led inside two minutes when Neto Borges chipped to the far post from the left and Riis leapt unmarked to net with a downward header.

The visitors’ best chances of getting on the scoresheet in the first half fell to Vivaldo Semedo shortly after Riis had put City in front.

First the striker fired over from a great position inside the box and moments later he failed to make contact with a dangerous Moussa Sissoko cross.

From then until the break, City created the better openings and Jason Knight had a 29th-minute shot well blocked by Mattie Pollock.

Knight was heavily involved as City made it 2-0 after 37 minutes. His strong run from midfield and pass to Riis allowed the striker to cross low for Mehmeti to tap home.

The pattern continued after the interval, with Mehmeti just failing to connect with Sam Bell’s cross and Riis firing wide when well placed.

Centre-back Rob Atkinson nodded in a 66th-minute free-kick from substitute Scott Twine to end any doubt about the outcome.

Riis added a fourth two minutes later with a close-range finish from a Borges pass.

Substitute Jack Grieves grabbed a 74th-minute consolation for Watford, firing low past Joe Lumley from 12 yards.

But just two minutes later Riis completed his treble and took his season tally to 10.

The 27-year-old broke clear on to a George Earthy pass and coolly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Nathan Baxter.