Nahki Wells says he is “happy” to have played an integral role in turning Bristol City’s flagging fortunes around in a convincing win away to Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship on Tuesday.

The Bermuda striker netted his eighth goal of the season and assisted in one of Famara Diédhiou two goals as City prevailed 3-1 at the Riverside Stadium to put an end to a seven-game losing streak in all competitions.

“Obviously, a great performance, a great victory and happy obviously to be selected,” Wells, who was making his first start since former manager Dean Holden was sacked exactly a week ago after just seven months in charge,“ Wells told The Royal Gazette. “I know the manager [new manager Nigel Pearson] didn’t choose the team yesterday [Tuesday]; the coaches that were already in made that decision, but he was aware of the team.

“I’m just happy to go out there and put on an impressive performance for the manager watching on, but more importantly to get that win that I felt that we really, really needed.”

Wells and his team-mates battled hard in the first half and were rewarded with three goals before the home side grabbed a late consolation to deny the visitors the shutout.

The win was City’s first since prevailing 2-1 at home to Wells’s former club Huddersfield Town in the league on January 26.

“I think we went out there and showed a lot more belief,” Wells added. “It was just something inside of us that was different knowing the new manager was watching over the game.

“Everyone obviously always wants to impress and everyone really made sure that they put in that 110 per cent.”

Wells’s 37th minute strike was his first since converting in City’s 3-2 defeat away to Brentford on February 3. Remarkably, all but one of the 30-year-old player’s goals this season have been scored away from home.

“For me, I always benefit off a better team performance as it showed yesterday,” Wells said.

“We got far more attacking opportunities, got into their final third significantly more than we have been doing and when we are able to do that I thrive and it showed.

“I could’ve scored two; one got cleared off the line that was a half a chance.

“Then I was able to get the assist and played a big role in our first goal as well. I’m kind of mixing my game up and going back and winning it and springing us on a counter attack.

“So it’s a lot of positives and obviously going on and getting the third goal in the manner in which we did, a very direct approach and kind of cut through them perfectly.

“The most important thing is obviously the three points, secondly the team performance and then of course the icing on the cake is to always get a goal as a forward. That’s what we thrive off and deserve, so happy with the performance.”

The win lifted City to twelfth ahead of their trip to fourth place Swansea City on Saturday.