Nigel Pearson hails Andreas Weimann for reaching 20 goals in Bristol City win

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson saluted Andreas Weimann after the forward celebrated a personal milestone in Saturday’s 3-1 Championship victory at former club Derby.

Weimann, who missed most of last season with a serious knee injury, scored his 20th goal of the campaign as the Rams suffered a first home defeat since late February.

Derby were behind after 10 minutes when Antoine Semenyo’s pass found Chris Martin, who sent Weimann clear to score. They doubled their lead as Richard Stearman was caught on the ball by Semenyo and he found the bottom left corner in the 38th minute.

Derby wasted a great chance when Bartosz Cybulski headed the ball over from inside the six-yard box but they pulled one back in the 61st minute when Craig Forsyth headed in Malcolm Ebiowei’s cross, but City wrapped up the points 11 minutes from time when Timm Klose rose highest at the far post to head in a free-kick.

Pearson was quick to acknowledge Weimann’s achievement, saying: “I think it’s a career-best for him.

“It’s a testament to his professionalism. His desire and his work ethic is just incredible.

“I’m really pleased for him especially off the back of last season where he spent a long time out injured – so to have a season like this on his return from injury is particularly impressive.

“It’s been a difficult season for us at times. We’ve not always got the results or performances warranted or we’ve been a bit inconsistent as a team so for us to have one player on 20 goals, another on 10 and Antoine (Semenyo) is on seven, so we’ve made progress.

“It feels like a long season for us but we’re thankful we’ve beaten last season’s points total and we’ve got two games left to try and build on some good performances of late.”

Pearson, who