THERE was a carnival-like atmosphere at Ashton Gate on Saturday for City’s first home game back in the Championship.

I felt like an away supporter turning up at a new ground as City’s home has been transformed over the past 12 months. The new South Stand replacing the old East End opened for the first time and looks a fantastic facility. The Dolman and Atyeo have had facelifts and the Williams is now completely demolished.

City got off to the perfect start after just 2 minutes when Ayling put in £2.1 million summer signing Kodjia who finished well from 10 yards. But 7 minutes later the Bees were level when Hamer parried a save into the path of Judge who bundled the ball into an empty net.

But City kept on attacking and looked dangerous with every move on Brentford’s goal. We took the lead again on 23 minutes as Wilbraham headed home Pack’s corner.

Then the complexion of the game changed completely as Freeman was shown a straight red for a clumsy, and to be fair dangerous, challenge on Dean. Cotterill bemoaned the decision after the game saying there was no intent from Freeman but the rules of the game do not state intent is necessary in this instance and I think the referee made the correct decision.

A few minutes before half-time Williams turned the ball past his own ‘keeper under pressure from Gray and now it was Brentford who looked dangerous with every attack on City’s goal.

The red card had changed the game and I felt at half-time that Brentford would go on and win the game. City did ok at the beginning of the second half but the impressive Gray (a rumoured City summer transfer target) powered the ball home on the hour mark and you felt there was no way back for City.

Ten minutes later Brentford sealed all three points as Hofmann hit a well-placed shot past Hamer, who had a home debut to forget.

On Saturday City make the lengthy journey to Teesside to face Middlesbrough (3pm).