Brentford 0 Hull City 2: Tigers go top after nullifying Bees’ threat

Hull City's Chuba Akpom (left) and Brentford's Ryan Woods battle for the ball at Griffin Park. Picture: Yui Mok/PA

Goals from Andrew Robertson and Sam Clucas ensured Steve Bruce’s side maximum points and extended their unbeaten run to nine league games.

Robertson gave the Tigers the lead on 67 minutes when he latched on to a Clucas through-ball and rifled home an angled drive past Brentford keeper David Button.

And Clucas eased any nerves the visitors might have had with four minutes left when he reacted quickest in the box to tap home Harry Maguire’s drive which Button could only parry.

But Hull did not have it all their own way in a first half dominated by Lee Carsley’s team.

Bees striker Marco Djuricin forced a reflex save from Tigers goalkeeper Allan McGregor after just two minutes before Abel Hernandez was inches away from finding the net at the other end. McGregor had to be at his best after 17 minutes, again getting down smartly to deny Djuricin.

Hull survived a penalty shout from the Londoners when Maguire appeared to haul back Lasse Vibe in the box, but referee Gavin Ward waved away their appeals.

Brentford were dominating the opening half with an up-and-at-them approach that shocked the visitors . But after the break City emerged far stronger, found their passing range and eventually started to find more space.

Former Brentford right-back Moses Odubajo tested Button with a sizzling low drive on 61 minutes and then with the next attack City were ahead.

Ryan Woods was caught napping at right back and Clucas’s probing pass found Robertson who made no mistake with a powerful low drive.

Brentford tried to respond and almost went close on 71 minutes, centre-back James Tarkowski’s driving run taking him past five defenders before teeing up Konstantin Kerschbaumer whose first-time curling effort cannoned to safety off the angle.

Maguire’s low drive stung Button’s palms, but Clucas was on hand to tuck home the rebound and seal the win.

Brentford: Button, Yennaris (Canos 72), Dean, Tarkowski, Bidwell, McCormack, Diagouraga (Hofmann 80), Woods, Vibe (Kerschbaumer 58), Djuricin, Swift. Unused substitutes: Saunders, Bonham, O’Connell, Gogia.

Hull City: McGregor,Odubajo, Dawson, Bruce (Maguire 20), Robertson, Elmohamady, Livermore, Meyler, Clucas, Akpom (Diame 73), Hernandez (Huddlestone 81). Unused substitutes: Taylor, Maloney, Jakupovic, Hayden.

Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey).