City returned to winning ways at the University of Bradford Stadium, with an emphatic performance securing a 3-1 victory over Sutton United.
Goals in the first half from Scott Banks, and after the break from Harry Chapman and Andy Cook, saw the Bantams race into 3-0 lead, before Omar Bugiel pulled back a late consolation for the visitors.
City started bright, almost opening the scoring inside the opening minute. Liam Ridehalgh whipped in a dangerous cross which was met by Cook, whose effort was deflected wide for a corner.
Sutton’s first opportunity of the game came from Harry Beautyman, who struck the ball on the edge of the box to force a save from City’s No.1 Harry Lewis, who tipped it around the post.
The Bantams kept the pressure on the away side inside the first 10 minutes, as Cook tested the U's goalkeeper Jack Rose with another header.
City opened the scoring however just after the 10-minute mark through Banks. The Bantams broke and the Crystal Palace loanee ran onto Jamie Walker’s pass, shifted the ball onto his right foot and calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner.
The hosts continued to pile the pressure on the visitors as Cook remained in the hunt for a goal. City’s No.9 was denied twice in quick succession by some smart stops from Rose in the visiting goal.
The away side were then handed a golden opportunity to level the scoring after Harry Lewis was adjudged to have fouled Lee Angol inside the penalty area.
Former Bantam Angol stepped up to take the spot kick, but sent his effort crashing off the crossbar to keep the Bantams' lead intact.
City started the second half well, as the post came to Sutton's rescue again. Brad Halliday swung a wicked ball to the far post which Cook rose to meet, but saw his header clip the woodwork and flash across goal, as the home side continued to pile the pressure on Matt Gray’s side.
The Bantams' pressure told, as they doubled their lead just after the hour mark through Harry Chapman.
The lively winger cut inside from the left wing after taking a pass from Ridehalgh, and placed a superb strike into the bottom-right corner from outside the area to give City breathing room.
Mark Hughes' side did not stop there, and added a third through top-scorer Cook, who finally got in on the act to net his 27th of the season.
The Bantams won the ball back on the edge of their own area, and quick thinking from Alex Gilliead released Cook, who shrugged off two defenders and found the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
The visitors got on the scoresheet through Omar Bugiel 10 minutes before full-time, as Sutton looked for a way back into the game. The visiting striker nodded in a cross to give his side hope.
City successfully saw the game out, however, to keep them 6th in Sky Bet League Two and just two points off the automatic promotion places.
CITY: Harry Lewis, Brad Halliday, Liam Ridehalgh, Richie Smallwood (C), Andy Cook (Vadaine Oliver 81’), Jamie Walker, Alex Gilliead (Ryan East 81’), Scott Banks, Harry Chapman (Emmanuel Osadebe 81’), Romoney Crichlow, Sam Stubbs. Subs not used: Colin Doye, Matt Derbyshire, Dion Pereira, Ciarán Kelly.
GOALS: Banks (12’), Chapman (63’), Cook (71’).
SUTTON: Jack Rose, Sam Hart (Robert Milsom 61’) , Coby Rowe, Ben Goodliffe, Enzio Boldewijn, Alistair Smith, Omar Bugel, Harry Beautyman (C), David Ajiboye, Joe Kizzi (Josh Neufville 78’), Lee Angol (Matt Dennis 61’). Subs not used: Brad House, Luke Gambin, Donovan Wilson, Kylain Kouassi.
GOALS: Bugiel (80’).
ATTENDANCE: 17,769 (147 Sutton supporters).