Bristol City 3-1 Barnsley
- Published
Bobby Reid had never previously scored twice in a game for Bristol City
Bristol City's record £5.3m signing Famara Diedhiou scored a debut goal as they began the Championship season with a confident home win over Barnsley.
The Senegal striker, who joined from French club Angers, headed in the hosts' second in between two Bobby Reid goals in a rampant first-half display.
In a much quieter second half, Adam Hammill shot over for the visitors, who were second best throughout the match.
But Ryan Hedges' scrappy effort gave the Tykes a consolation goal late on.
The result saw the Tykes - who were without injured summer signings Lloyd Isgrove, Liam Lindsay and Zeki Fryers - lose their first game of the season for the fifth year in a row.
Bristol City finished three points above the relegation places last term in 17th - four points below Barnsley - but were sharper and more energetic in the first half.
Both sides had hit the bar when the game was goalless, before an inspired Reid got his first on the rebound after Diedhiou's parried effort, and the pair combined again for the second, with Reid poking in the third.
Victory for Robins head coach Lee Johnson came against his old side, whom he left to take charge at Ashton Gate in February 2016.
Bristol City boss Lee Johnson:
"The lads love and Bobby (Reid) and Fam (Famara Diedhiou), you can see they have struck a good relationship off the pitch as well as on it because they are two good people.
"They were both excellent and their work rate and energy made it easier for the midfield and the defenders.
"Fam is actually very selfless, but he definitely wants to score goals. The leap for his header and leap was unbelievable, it's a great start for him."
Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom:
"In that first 10 minutes, we both hit the bar and there was nothing in it. But the first goal changed the nature of the game.
"When we look back over that spell, every chance they created there was something fundamentally wrong.
"Our problem is that even with 11 new players we are still way short of where we want to be."