Cardiff City 3-0 Bristol City
Adam Baker reports the Cardiff City Stadium

City suffered their first defeat of the 2009/10 season on their maiden trip to the new Cardiff City Stadium.

Jamie McCombe set the Bluebirds on their way with an unfortunate own goal before strikes from Michael Chopra and Gavin Rae - either side of half-time - completed the visitors' misery.

City had a big chance at 1-0 down as Marvin Elliott hit the post, and it could have changed the game - but Cardiff look strong at their new home and could be a team to look out for the season ahead.

Hit by illess to Bradley Orr and Lewin Nyatanga, as well as a calf injury for Cole Skuse, City made three changes for the Severnside derby. In came Brian Wilson, Liam Fontaine and Lee Johnson.

City started well in Cardiff's new surroundings as Danny Haynes broke down the right and cut the ball back for strike partner Nicky Maynard, only for his low shot to be blocked by Mark Hudson.

Maynard, with three goals in his last three outings, was exuding confidence and an ambitious 30-yard dipping shot just flashed over the top early on.

Cardiff's Chris Burke moves away from Marvin Elliott

But Cardiff soon settled and on 14 minutes Chris Burke wasted a glorious chance to put the Bluebirds in front. After nutmegging Jamie McCombe on the edge of the box, Burke quickly skipped around Dean Gerken but he failed to shoot first time, allowing Liam Fontaine the chance to scramble back and clear from the goal-line.

Just three minutes later Peter Whittingham's pass allowed Joe Ledley a one-on-one chance with Gerken - but again the City keeper came out on top with a superb save with his legs.

City were appealing for a penalty on the 21-minute mark as Jamie McAllister's floated free kick caused havoc in the box. Fontaine hooked the ball towards the back post and David Clarkson was left asking for a spot-kick, claiming his headed attempt was turned behind by the arm of defender Adam Matthews.

Confusion amongst the officials almost cost City a goal on 35 minutes when the assistant referee raised his flag for offside against Bothroyd, only for referee Kevin Friend to wave play on. City had already cleared the ball forward straight to Paul Quinn, who tried to beat an out-of-position Gerken from the halfway line. However, the ex-Colchester keeper did brilliantly to retreat and save acrobatically.

Jamie McCombe turns the ball past Dean Gerken for the opener

Nonetheless, Cardiff's opener arrived just two minutes later. Adam Matthews advanced down the right and whipped in a dangerous cross which McCombe could only turn past his own keeper under pressure from Chopra.

City almost hit back immediately as McCombe's header down from McAllister's free kick was only parried out by Marshall. The ball dropped loose to Elliott, stood unmarked at the back post, but the midfielder rattled the ball against the upright from two yards out.

City were punished further in first half stoppage time as Burke went on a direct run towards goal and brilliantly found Chopra, who advanced into the box and coolly finished into the top corner past Gerken.

Marvin Elliott and Joe Ledley battle for the ball at Cardiff

The visitors needed a strong start to the second half and almost had a way back when Jamie McAllister's curling free kick was dropped by
Marshall, but McCombe couldn't profit from the rebound.

At the other end Fontaine and McCombe provided last-ditch tackles as Cardiff again caused danger with whipped crosses into the box from Matthews and Whittingham.

The game was finished as a contest on 66 minutes as Burke again supplied the assist, this time feeding Rae who rolled the ball beyond Gerken for 3-0.

Things almost got much worse for City and keeper Gerken moments later as referee Friend adjudged he had infringed Bothroyd wide outside the box, but only dished out a yellow card with home fans baying for a dismissal.

Whittingham fired wide from the edge of the box with time ebbing away and Williams warmed the gloves of Marshall at the other end.

It ended a disappointing day for the visitors, who were unable to even muster a consolation goal for their travelling fans who had to stay and watch until the end.