Brentford win feisty encounterLuke Freeman was sent off as Bristol City's poor start to the Championship campaign continued with a 4-2 home defeat by Brentford.Freeman was dismissed on 35 minutes for a high kick on Brentford defender Harlee DeanThe challenge looked more awkward than malicious, but referee Keith Stroud reached for the red card after consulting a linesman.Furious City boss Steve Cotterill made his feelings clear to both officials and Dean was roundly booed by home fans when recovering after lengthy treatment.Last season's League One champions had stormed forward from the start and took less than two minutes to go in front as summer signing Jonathan Kodjia fired home from Luke Ayling's pass.Alan Judge equalised for Brentford on nine minutes, firing into an empty net after new City keeper Ben Hamer could only parry an Andre Gray shot into his path.The hosts were back in front on 23 minutes, last season's top scorer Aaron Wilbraham rising to nod home Marlon Pack's corner at the near post.But it was all square at the break, City defender Derrick Williams volleying a Judge cross from the left into his own net on 40 minutes.There was more controversy in first half stoppage time when Brentford centre-back James Tarkowski had to be substituted with a facial injury after what he claimed was an elbow from Wilbraham
No action was taken against the City striker.The visitors came out for the second half determined to make their man advantage tell, but Kodjia fired over for City before their defence was breached again.Alan McCormack got forward down the right on the hour and pulled the ball back for Gray to net with a fierce first-time finish from 12 yards.Eleven minutes later Philipp Hoffman held off a weak challenge from Williams and turned to settle the outcome by firing low past Hamer from just inside the box.The second half was in contrast to the eventful first - Freeman's dismissal came after an opening 35 minutes in which City could easily have scored five.Apart from the goals, Kodjia shot wide with only Button to beat, while Wilbraham was also off target with a close range effort and fired straight at the Brentford keeper from eight yards.Kodjia fired over from an Ayling cut-back and, with Joe Bryan causing havoc on the left, Brentford looked wide open.At the other end Williams cleared off the line when Hamer palmed a centre from Andy Gogia across goal, but the visitors were distinctly second best until their opponents were reduced to 10 men
Source : PA
Source: PA