On his first senior appearance of the 2025/26 campaign, West Ham United loanee George Earthy could not have wished for a happier afternoon as Bristol City made mincemeat of Watford in the FA Cup third round.
Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed on Friday that Earthy would be allowed to leave the London Stadium on loan.
Only a few hours later, the England Under-21 international was being unveiled – and not for the first time – as a Bristol City player.
Earthy was Bristol City’s Young Player of the Year last season. Talk about picking up where you left off. The West Ham United academy graduate might have only played the last half-hour or so during Saturday’s 5-1 drubbing of Championship rivals Watford, but he still found the time to grab an assist on his second debut in a Robins jersey.
Nuno admits these four could all be leaving West Ham…
How do you feel about what could be a BIG January overhaul?
West Ham United loanee George Earthy makes flying start on Bristol City return
George Earthy had been in outstanding form for West Ham’s Under-21s.
Any hopes he had of forcing his way back into the senior side were hit hard by successive ankle and hamstring injuries, but nine goal contributions in nine reserve team games was an emphatic response from a footballer who looked like a man against very literal boys in the U21s.
His immediate impact off the bench against a previously in-form Watford side, meanwhile, suggests that the Earthy who returns to Ashton Gate is a more confident, complete footballer than the one who bid farewell in May.
“I was really pleased with Sam Morsy’s first start and George Earthy’s efforts as a substitute,” Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber told reporters. “Both new signings did really well.”
Earthy picked up the ball between the lines, as is his trademark, skipped away from an attempted challenge and threaded a perfectly-weighted through-ball in behind for Emil Riis.
Riis completed his hat-trick, and Bristol City progressed in style.
“Today, we could see when we have a bench like that what happens. I am really happy with every single player what came from the bench,” adds ex-Barnsley boss Struber. “Every action, especially George with his first game…
“More players today came on [at] a really high level.”
Earthy delighted to be back at Gerhard Struber’s FA Cup victors
In all competitions this season, at both first-team and youth level, Earthy is averaging a goal or an assist in every single match. Such a rate will surely prove impossible to maintain in an ultra-competitive Championship, of course, but this sparkling cameo will do little to quieten those growing expectations.
“A really good feeling, buzzing to be back,” Earthy told reporters on Friday. “The place feels like home. Really happy to be back.
“I spoke to the gaffer [Struber] in the week. There’d been things going on for a while, but yeah, managed to chat to the gaffer in the week and things he was saying about the club and the way that the boys are playing and what he wants to play. Really positive.
Imagine you are Nuno – How are YOU approaching the FA Cup? 🏆
Rest players for the league? Or go all-out for cup glory?
“I feel like I’ll be able to fit in really well and have been watching the boys play.
“[The fans] were so, so good to me and it’s just special to be back. I’m really looking forward to getting out in front of them again.
“The Championship is full of so many big clubs now. There’s so much competition. I think it’s just such a competitive league and being able to compete in it, it’s a massive achievement. So, I think the fact that City are looking to do the same again as what we did last year and get up there again [into the play-offs].”
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
