Brentford 0-2 Hull: Tigers go top with away win

Hull went top of the Sky Bet Championship as they ended Brentford's four-game winning streak with a 2-0 victory at Griffin Park on Tuesday evening.

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 in-form Brentford.

Bees striker Marco Djuricin forced a reflex save from Tigers keeper 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 and 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, who did well to dig in and survive the onslaught.

But after the break, City emerged far stronger, found their passing range and eventually started to find space behind the tiring Brentford defence.

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' probing pass found Robertson who made no mistake with a powerful low drive across Button.

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.

By now, Brentford were starting to look jaded after their historic derby win over QPR and Hull were happy to turn on the style and let their class tell.

Maguire's low drive stung Button's palms, but Clucas was on hand to tuck home the rebound.

This was harsh on a Brentford side, whose only consolation was the standing ovation from the home fans at the final whistle.

Speaking after the game, a relieved Bruce praised the way his Hull side lived up to their expectations with the victory.

"Being top of the league has its own expectations," said Bruce. "We are a big scalp as the bloke behind kept reminding me, but we are living up to it.

"It was never going to be easy and Brentford were the better team in the first half, so we really had to show our mettle. It's never easy to come here with the crowd behind them and Lee Carsley has them up and at you."

Although Brentford matched Hull for 70 minutes of the game, Bees head coach Carsley conceded the Premier League quality told in the end.

"The first half was really good and we stood toe to toe with a side packed full of Premier league quality," Carsley said. "We had three or four opportunities but didn't take them and you have to against a side like that.

"Hull got better and stronger as the game went on, but when you look at players like (Tom) Huddlestone, (Mohamed) Diame and (Harry) Maguire coming off the bench that's hardly surprising.

"It was a massive pat on the back to us that they showed us respect by dropping back and letting us have the ball because they knew we'd pass through them if not.

"We have to be realistic and remember that we have come a very long way in a very short space of time, but this is the benchmark we have to hit to have more games like this."

New leaders Hull now have the advantage over Burnley and Brighton on goal difference after 15 games played, while Brentford lie 12th in the table.