A scintillating first half set Brentford on their way to a 3-2 win over Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.

It may be a well worn football cliché, but this was the classic game of two halves, as Brentford stormed into a three goal lead at half time, before conceding two during the second half as they held on for victory.

The Bees took the lead after only 11 minutes with a really well-worked goal which saw the Bees spray the ball around beyond Jota set up Alex Pritchard, who coolly finished past David Marshall.

Kadeem Harris, who enjoyed a successful loan-spell at Brentford last season, looked likely for the hosts, firing just wide of the left hand post in reply.

Craig Noone then enjoyed a good chance from the left hand side of the box, with David Button gathering comfortably.

Andre Gray doubled the Bees lead with a delightful chip over Marshall after he raced onto the end of Pritchard's pass.

Cardiff almost pulled one back when Noone crossed into the six yard box from the left and Adam le Fondre turned and fired a shot which was deflected just past the right hand post.

Great hold up play from Gray saw him find Alan Judge, who slide the ball wide and Jota's shot was well saved by Marshall.

The Bees extended their lead just after the Pritchard ran from the half way and set up Jota, whose wonder strike sailed past Marshall into the top left hand corner.

Another lightning break from the Bees saw Pritchard play the ball up to Gray, who found Jake Bidwell on the left and his cross to the back post resulted in Jota's effort being turned behind by Marshall.

Cardiff nearly capitalised on slip up when the Bees gave the ball away in midfield, but Noone's shot was well saved by Button.

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The hosts pulled on back only three minutes into the second half when Kadeem Harris crossed from the left and Noone steered the ball past Button.

Cardiff then broke down the right, with the cross across the six yard box just evading le Fondre. As Cardiff continued to press, a scramble in the Bees box ended with an excellent punch clear by Button, before the ball was headed behind.

After Judge conceded a foul 25 yards out, Peter Whittingham's free kick was on target for the top right corner, but Button was equal to it and made a comfortable catch.

Cardiff pulled another back with a quarter of an hour remaining. The Bees looked to have cleared the ball from their box, but it was played back in and substitute Kenwyne Jones reacted quickest to fire past Button.

In added on time Harris curled a shot wide of the right hand post as the Bees held on for another superb victory and to move to third in the Championship table.

Bees boss Mark Warburton said: “I thought we were outstanding in the first half. They were very good goals. We got forward in units and split them.

“At half time I said to them there was a lot of football left in the match and to be aware of that as we went out for the second half. They are a talented team packed with great individuals.

“A lot of these guys were playing in the Premier League last season.”

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He added: “Jonathan Douglas picked up a slight knock midway through the first half, a tight calf, so we had to withdraw him at half time.

“He's an important player, one of the older, experienced players who sits in there in midfield and is vitally important for us.”