Bristol City vs Brentford. Sky Bet Championship.
Ashton GateAttendance20,858.
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash at Ashton Gate
Wednesday 1 January 2020 18:53, UK
Ashley Williams was sent off after only 13 minutes as Bristol City crashed to a 4-0 Championship defeat by Brentford at Ashton Gate.
The visitors took a sixth-minute lead when Bryan Mbeumo beat former Bees goalkeeper Dan Bentley with a close-range shot after Ollie Watkins had got the better of Jack Hunt and forced his way into the box.
Having been booked along with Watkins for an off-the-ball skirmish after 11 minutes, experienced centre-back Williams was shown a second yellow card two minutes later for a late challenge on the striker.
Said Benrahma doubled Brentford's advantage after 26 minutes, guiding the ball into an empty net after Bentley had kept out shots from Mathias Jensen and Watkins.
Any doubt about the outcome was ended after 82 minutes when man-of-the-match Watkins tapped home a low cross from substitute Jan Zamburek.
Watkins still had time to add the fourth, drilling home a low shot as stoppage time approached after Bentley had done well to parry his header.
The result saw Brentford rise to third in the table while City slipped to 11th following a fourth defeat in five games.
The first half-hour was a New Year nightmare for Robins head coach Lee Johnson, who was loudly booed by home fans when electing to withdraw in-form winger Niclas Eliasson to shore up his under-manned defence in the 28th minute.
Taylor Moore went on as a substitute to partner Tomas Kalas in central defence, with Korey Smith - who had dropped into the position after Williams' dismissal - reverting to midfield in a 4-4-1 formation.
Brentford dominated possession but City's 10 men threatened on occasions, David Raya saving from Jay Dasilva and Marley Watkins.
Christian Norgaard fired wide with an acrobatic bicycle kick for Brentford, who were largely content to retain the ball and protect their two-goal lead.
Thomas Frank's team almost made it 3-0 at the start of the second half, the dangerous Watkins heading wide and then wasting a chance gifted to him by an Andres Weimann back-pass.
With only Bentley to beat, Watkins delayed his shot to try and round the 'keeper, allowing Kalas to get back and dispossess him.
There was no faulting City for effort, with Famara Diedhiou showing huge work-rate as a lone striker.
But Brentford continued to carry the greater threat. Watkins had another header deflected over the bar and Bentley made a fine save when Ethan Pinnock nodded down at the far post from a left-wing corner.
Watkins' goal capped an impressive individual effort and Frank's men defended solidly throughout to gain a well-deserved result.
Bristol City's Lee Johnson: "I was shown a red card but will appeal it. All that happened was that Thomas grabbed my cuff as we were talking and I ripped it away.
"Hopefully one of the cameras was filming at the right angle to prove my case. I have huge respect for Thomas and we will be having a drink together in my office."
Brentford's Thomas Frank: "Of course Ollie's form will attract interest, but I see no reason why he should want to leave this month. Sometimes in life you find yourself working at a special place and that is what we have at the moment.
"A player as good as Ollie will get more than one opportunity and I am very hopeful he will remain with us until the summer at least. Today was a really professional performance and a brilliant way to bounce back from defeat in our last game."
