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Cardiff were able to name an unchanged starting line up, Gareth Whalley overcame an injury suffered last weekend despite pre-match comments that he would be absent and the game settled down to a quiet but tense opening period with neither side able to create a real chance. Brentford had two lean and nimble basketball-type strikers who troubled City's defence, Prior in particular, City were again overloaded on the left and never found a killer pass or cross.
City were on top and the key player was Graham Kavanagh who had an outstanding 45 minutes. He was charging around, covering most areas of the park, winning the ball, sweeping it wide, helping out and playing in a manner that he hadn't done for several months, this was more like it. City's new system may help his options but it was Kav finally putting himself about that made him stand out, if only he had shown similar commitment in the past few months, he would never have had the critics.
Chances finally started coming City's way, the best ones fell mainly to the wrong players who went for power rather than placement. Kav was unlucky as he screwed a shot wide inside the area, Gabbidon met a corner on the turn and fired over the bar then Rhys Weston smashed one over too after strong build up play but it needed something special to break the deadlock as it was supplied by Earnie and Leggy with a piece of football magic.
For all the play on the left with the Croft-Whalley-Legg axis, it was ironic that the goal came from City's first effort from the right but it was a goal from nothing. 28 minutes gone, Rhys Weston strode forward and swept the ball to Earnie wide on the touchline. Earnie was stunning as he cut back then inside two markers and hit an astonishing cross to the far post on the outside of his left boot, ANDY LEGG ran in and powered a 10 year header over Smith high into the opposite corner. It was a wonder piece of play, words can't do justice to the quality of Earnie's cross, Ninian buzzed for minutes afterwards exclaiming it.
The rest of the half returned to being a chess match of competing styles., Cardiff, by far the best paid team in the Division, were comfortable and in control but not able to create a great deal against a Brentford side who battled well considering they lost very one of their 4 or 5 key players from last term -all their star players from last term - all now playing at a higher level - and played a young side who are, by far, the lowest paid squad in this division. The difference in money was that extra bit of quality and experience although when Spencer Prior turned a hit a backpass across City's goals which went narrowly wide for a corner, you wondered a little about that experience!
Half-time: CITY 1 BRENTFORD 0
The second half opened in major controversy thanks to a previously anonymous Fraser Stretton refereeing who apparently became an anti-Bluebird at half-time. Did someone say something to annoy him or did he just have a dodgy drink?
Willie Boland won a fair tackle and cleanly took the ball just outside City's area but Stretton awarded a free-kick to the West London side. City's players were fuming, Stretton then booked Boland, most likely for his dissenting reaction to an unbelievable decision rather than the foul. Then Stretton took the ball forward 10 yard right to the edge of City's area, something you never see referees bother with anymore. Then most criminally of all, with the ball on the 18 yard line, he insisted City's players stood on the 6 yard line. Oi Stretton - 18 yards minus 6 yards = 12 yards, it's 10 yards back they stand you clown!! The roar as the ball hit the wall and harmlessly away had more to do with relief.
It however started a period where every decision made by Stretton went to Brentford, twice overruling the linesman in City's defending half. Stats show that City did not win any free-kick until the 70th minute, when they did, it earned the biggest applause of the night. What was more incredible was despite it not being a dirty game, Brentford won 8 second-half free-kicks before City got that one!
The Bluebirds were comfortably on top, the only problems City had were when Spencer Prior made a mistake at the back, he caused a few flutters. Gabbi made errors too but covered for them, Prior just got himself and City in trouble. You accept he will get beaten for pace sometimes but, more worrying, was seeing him out-muscled as he was on a couple of occasions. He gave a very uncertain performance.
That apart, City were the better team all the way through. Defence were well on top, the midfield trio of Boland, Whalley and Kav all gave fantastic performances and were the key. Leggy played well but looked isolated for long periods. Peter Thorne had an off night and a quiet game overall but Earnie was supreme, every ball that came in his direction was won whether it was 50/50 or even 70/30 against him. Some of his first touches were superb and he's undoubtedly a better team player this season.
Cardiff had a let off as Brentford sneaked behind City's defence for the only time all night but a header drifted wide before they clinched the win on 73 minutes with a fantastic goal.
The build up was one of City's best pieces of passing seen in a long, long while. They knocked the ball around, back and fore, showed no mean skill and remained patient as they worked the ball down the left, Leggy tormenting his marker, before knocking it inside to Kav. With no opening he played the ball back and it was switched to the right, Brentford nearly winning it back with one challenge.
As it found its way over to the right wing, Rhys Weston dinked a ball over the Bees right back, EARNIE got in behind him and as the keeper dropped out, he hit the perfect shot from wide 20 yards out which flew over Smith and under the bar. Simply outstanding. Ninian chanted, 'it's just like watching Brazil' but Brazil don't pass that well!!.
The closing stages were comfortable, both sides accepted the result. Brentford acquitted themselves well but City had that bit of extra quality and strength. We should have had a 3rd as Andy Campbell produced a searing run on the right (replacing Earnie who went off late to a hero ovation), cut inside and was clearly brought down inside the area. He passed as he fell and Kav's blocked shot deflected over the bar. If Campbell went down and stayed down, it would have been the most obvious penalty all season but Stretton probably wouldn't have given it anyway!
Some results went City's way and we're now 4th with a game in hand that can potentially take us clear at the top. In 4 days, City's season has dramatically lifted, the look, self-belief and confidence amongst the players has transferred itself to the fans. All of a sudden, it's looking good as we all hoped it would be. Bring on Notts County!!
External reports
The Western Mail
Brentford's Official report (inc pictures)