Bristol director rugby Pat Lam told BBC Radio Bristol:
“We are very pleased. It’s more evidence for the players of the unseen work they are putting in.
“We always get recognised for the tries but finally the forwards are getting some recognition for the work they do up front.
“We really challenged their ball carriers and speed of ruck.
“We had a moment when they were coming back but we turned that tide. I am really proud of these guys because we had a physical game against Sale last week. For the boys to through it again – against the champions at full strength – is massive
“We are disappointed to give them a bonus point but we are pleased we didn’t give them a second bonus point.”
Bristol director rugby Phil Dowson told BBC Radio Northampton:
“It’s very disappointing. We can’t seem to get it right at Ashton Gate. We weren’t good enough in lots of facets of our game. That’s a really good indication of where we are at the moment.
“Bristol were excellent. They worked really hard at the breakdown and we didn’t deal with it.
“It’s early in the season and that tells us where we need to train. The game doesn’t lie. We are not firing on all cylinders in some aspects.
“But we don’t get too high after a win or too low after a loss. We must learn as quickly as possible so we can get better.”
Bristol: Jordan; Rees-Zammit, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ibitoye; AJ MacGinty, Randall; Woolmore, Oghre, Kloska, Rubiolo, Batley, Luatua, Grondona, Harding (capt).
Replacements: Gwilliam, Chawatama, Halliwell, Taylor, Owen, Marmion, Pepper Ivanishvili.
Northampton: Freeman; Sleightholme, Hutchinson, Dingwall (capt), Hendy; Smith McParland; Iyogun, Langdon, Kundiona, Coles, Prowse, Kemeny, Taylor, Pollock.
Replacements: Smith, Fischetti, Neculai, Lockett, Chick, Mitchell, Belleau, Pater.
Sin bin: Neculai (74), Freeman (80)
Referee: Ian Tempest