Roy Hodgson makes spectacular return to management thanks to goalkeeper howler

Roy Hodgson has made a winning return to management with victory in his first match in charge of Bristol City.

The 78-year-old was appointed by the Championship side last month on a deal until the end of the season.

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Hodgson replaced Gerhard Struber on an interim basis after the Austrian was sacked by the Robins.

And he has now overseen a win in his first match at the helm as Bristol City beat Charlton away from home on Good Friday.

Hodgson’s winning return

The visitors took an early lead at the Valley through Scott Twine, who found the bottom corner from inside the penalty area.

Despite the dream start, Hodgson saw his side pegged back before half-time by the Addicks.

Lyndon Dykes equalised for the hosts on the half-hour mark to ensure the sides went in level at the break.

Bristol City’s former England manager was able to rally his side during the interval, though.

They needed just 10 minutes to re-establish their lead after returning to the pitch, although Charlton’s Will Mannion gave them a helping hand.

The goalkeeper will not want to see Noah Eile’s winner again after he made a mess of Twine’s free-kick.

A tame effort under the wall from the midfielder was spilt by Mannion following a deflection.

As the Charlton stopper scrambled for the ball, he could only push it into the path of Eile.

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The Swedish defender was able to lift the ball over Mannion before it trickled over the line despite the best efforts of several Charlton players to clear it.

Fortunately for Hodgson, the goal was confirmed by goal-line technology to prompt wild scenes in the away end.

Eile’s strike would prove to be the winner as the home side were unable to find an equaliser in the remaining 35 minutes.

The win, which came in Hodgson’s first-ever meeting with Charlton, sees Bristol City move up to 13th in the Championship.

It also ended a run of six matches without victory, five of which had ended in defeat.

Struber’s departure came after the Robins had won just one of their last nine league matches dating back to February 7.

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They may still harbour faint hopes of the play-offs as they sit 10 points adrift of the top six with six matches remaining.

Hodgson will now turn his attention to Monday’s home meeting with Sheffield United at Ashton Gate.