Hull City were beaten 2-0 by Burnley in a controversial game at Turf Moor.
The home side took the lead through a first half penalty given by the referee.
City thought they'd equalised when Geovanni's second half free kick found the net, but the effort was ruled out.
Geovanni was sent off moments later before Burnley s
ealed the points 13 minutes from time.
The City side showed two changes as Matt Duke won the race to replace the injured Boaz Myhill in goal with Tony Warner taking a place on the bench. Meanwhile, Kamel Ghilas replaced Bernard Mendy in midfield. Anthony Gardner continues to captain the side.
First choice Burnley keeper Brian Jensen won his battle to be fit.
After a quiet opening few minutes, Burnley won a corner and when their first delivery was cleared, the return looked more threatening until Kamil Zayatte intervened. His efforts saw him receive a bang to the back of his head and he needed treatment, but was okay to continue.
The first shot of the day came from Seyi Olofinjana in the 16th minute after City had broken from a Burnley corner. Ghilas fed the Nigerian, but his low effort was saved by Jensen.
Burnley were awarded a penalty on 20 minutes when Tyrone Mears was supposedly brought down by Stephen Hunt in the area. Graham Alexander stepped up to convert from 12 yards.
The home side had a good chance to double their lead in the 30th minute when Chris Eagles was set free in acres of space down the right. He pulled the ball back for Robbie Blake and after taking time to get the ball under control, his chip dropped just over the bar.
Duke was then forced into a save at his near post by Wade Elliott as the hosts continued to look the better side.
The City keeper was in action again on 43 minutes, beating away a swerving shot from Eagles.
As the players headed for the tunnel at half time, manager Phil Brown made his feelings known to the referee about the penalty incident.
Half Time: Tigers 0-1 BurnleyCity had a great chance within moments of the restart when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's through ball found Olofinjana. He opted to pass to his right to Ghilas, who saw his effort blocked by Jensen.
Elliott was booked for a foul on Geovanni before City made a double change as Jozy Altidore replaced Vennegoor of Hesselink and Mendy came on for McShane.
The changes injected a bit of life into City and Mendy's burst from right back ended with a shot saved by Jensen.
Altidore picked up a booking after City had been awarded a free kick following Steven Caldwell's foul on Hunt 20 yards from goal.
From the free kick, Geovanni curled a wonderful shot into the net, only to see it disallowed after the referee spotted some pushing in the wall. It was another shocking decision from the official.
Geovanni was booked for protesting and moments later he was sent off for a foul in the middle of the park which earned him a second yellow.
That sparked City's final change as Nick Barmby replaced Hunt.
Burnley sealed the points on 77 minutes as Alexander strode through midfield before unleashing a low shot which beat Duke at his near post.
Andy Dawson went close to pulling a goal back, but his effort hit the post and went wide.
Mendy was booked in added time for taking the ball off Burnley substitute Fernando Guerrero while he was on the floor.
Tigers: Matt Duke, Paul McShane (Mendy 58), Anthony Gardner, Kamil Zayatte, Andy Dawson, Kamel Ghilas, Dean Marney, Seyi Olofinjana, Geovanni, Stephen Hunt (Barmby 68), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Altidore 58).
Subs: Tony Warner, Steven Mouyokolo, Kevin Kilbane, Bernard Mendy, Richard Garcia, Nick Barmby, Jozy Altidore,
Burnley: Brian Jensen, Tyrone Mears, Steven Caldwell, Clarke Carlisle, Stephen Jordan, Chris Eagles (Guerrero 85), Graham Alexander, Andre Bikey, Robbie Blake (McDonald 70), Wade Elliott, Steven Fletcher (Nugent 77).
Subs: Diego Penny, Michael Duff, Kevin McDonald, Joey Gudjonsson, David Nugent, Steven Thompson, Fernando Guerrero.
Referee: Mr M. Jones.
Attendance: 20,299