Steve Cotterill backs sent-off Luke Freeman after loss
Saturday 15 August 2015 21:42, UK
Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill leapt to the defence of Luke Freeman after the midfielder's 35th-minute sending-off turned the game as Brentford earned a 4-2 Sky Bet Championship victory at Ashton Gate.
Freeman was red carded for a high kick on Brentford defender Harlee Dean, referee Keith Stroud issuing the ultimate punishment after consulting a linesman.
An incensed Cotterill said: "Luke wasn't looking at the lad as the ball came over his shoulder so I'm not sure it was a red card and I was disappointed that some Brentford players surrounded the referee.
"It was reckless and I wouldn't have argued with a yellow card, but Luke was looking to bring the ball down and had absolutely no intention of harming an opponent.
"I doubt we will appeal and I have no intention of talking to the referee because there is no point.
"With 11 men we were the better team. We could have been 5-1 up before the red card and it has changed the complexion of the game.
"You can't afford to go down to 10 men against a good side. Brentford will do well again this season, but our own performances have been fine so far and again the lads have given everything.
"We won't change anything because that is the way we play."
City took less than two minutes to go in front as summer signing Jonathan Kodjia fired home from Luke Ayling's pass.
Alan Judge equalised on nine minutes, firing into an empty net after new City keeper Ben Hamer could only parry an Andre Gray shot.
The hosts were back in front on 23 minutes, 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.
The visitors came out for the second half determined to make their man advantage tell. Alan McCormack got forward 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 Hofmann held off a weak challenge from Williams and turned to settle the outcome by firing low past Hamer.
Brentford boss Marinus Dijkhuizen said: "I thought the red card was justified because it was dangerous play and it certainly worked positively for us.
"Bristol City play good football and were better than us for the first 35 minutes. But I felt we made the man advantage tell in the second half.
"I thought we took our goals well in what was always going to be a tough game. It had not been the best of weeks of us, so I am very happy to end it with a win.
"Andre Gray showed what an asset he is to us and I am desperate to keep him. But sometimes money talks and it is not in my hands.
"If anything he has added to his value with this performance. I have two very good strikers and would love to keep them together."
