Match Day Thread Cardiff City v Bristol City

Report: Cardiff City 0-1 Bristol City
Josh Brownhill’s stunning strike earned City their first win on Cardiff territory for 17 years.

The on-field captain blasted in a right-footed shot from distance to take the three points back to Bristol.

The Bluebirds would it the woodwork three times at a chilly Cardiff City Stadium but ultimately they had little response to Brownhill’s second-half moment of brilliance.

The win lifts City up to sixth in the Sky Bet Championship table.

Ádám Nagy made his long-awaited return to the starting XI having recovered from an ankle injury which had ruled the midfielder out since August. He was one of two changes for Lee Johnson's side, who also welcomed back Nathan Baker in defence. The players' respective returns saw Taylor Moore and Han-Noah Massengo handed places on the bench.

City made a positive start in South Wales with their intensity always looking to cause the Bluebirds problems high up the pitch, particularly with Andreas Weimann and Marley Watkins pressing in the final third.

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Watkins shields off former Robin Marlon Pack

Callum O’Dowda was in the thick of it early on, first fluffing a shot wide from the edge of the area, before drilling in a left-sided cross which Ashley Williams’ chested wide. To be fair to the former Swansea player, the ball came through a sea of blue shirts and perhaps hadn’t intended for it to reach him at the far post.

There were soon appeals for a penalty in the Cardiff box when Williams went in with a raised tackle but play continued, City soon racing up the other end and threatening when Josh Brownhill intercepted a flat clearance from Neil Etheridge. He got to the byline where he picked out Watkins, but the Welshman’s first shot was blocked before putting the rebound over the bar though the flag had been raised for offside.

City soon appealed for a penalty of their own and the Robins fans were on their feet when Tommy Rowe tumbled in the area but again the referee shook his head, while O’Dowda again tried an effort from the edge of the ‘D’ but couldn’t keep his shot down.

The home side would grow in confidence though and Daniel Bentley had to pluck an Omar Bogle header out of the air before his crossbar came to the rescue, denying a pinpoint strike from Junior Hoilett.

It would be the closest anyone would come to breaking the deadlock in the first half, though Cardiff wanted a spot-kick when Baker tussled with Aden Flint. Replays showed the no-penalty call was again correct with both players arguably pulling each other.

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Nagy made his return from injury

The second half saw the hosts out of their shell with a lot more of the ball and opportunities. Bentley would do ever so well to tip away a cross from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing looking for former Robin Flint at the backpost, before he held on to a 30-yard free kick from Bogle.

The woodwork came to City’s rescue once again though as Leandro Bacuna tried his luck from range, beating Bentley but not quite picking out the top corner.

Again the Bluebirds continued to keep the Robins at bay and a good block from Pedro Pereira kept out a side-footed effort from Bogle, before Joe Bennet skied over.

There was some respite when O’Dowda broke into the Cardiff penalty area and cut the ball on to his right, only to see a shot quickly charged down by Lee Peltier as Cardiff survived. Johnson looked for Kasey Palmer soon after who replaced Watkins.

And within minutes the City faithful were on their feet with Palmer involved as City drew first blood. The move started on the left side with Palmer helping the ball on to the advancing Rowe. He danced forward before laying the ball off to Brownhill who needed one touch to set himself and another to curl the ball beyond the despairing dive of Neil Etheridge.

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Josh Brownhill scored the game's only goal

A second goal looked on the cards minutes later as City suddenly looked more alive. Pereira threatened with space down the right, picking out Weimann whose tame effort was comfortable for Etheridge on this occasion.

The Bluebirds looked down but not out as they quickly picked themselves up, only Bogle would have expected better when he flashed a volley wide. Williams had to make a crucial block to deny Mendez-Laing and for a third time the ball clipped the top of the crossbar when Flint looped the ball over from the resulting corner.

Taylor Moore entered play late on as City looked to defend their lead and they did just that, with jubilant full-time scenes as City held on to win the 93rd Severnside derby.

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City sold out the away end in Cardiff

A two-week break now follows due to international duty, with the Robins back in action at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, November 23rd (3pm KO).
https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/cardiff-city-v-bristol-city/

 

I think those City fans look brilliant, well done them.

 

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Cardiff City's Neil Warnock bemoans Bristol City tactics as he says crowds the best thing on show during derby
The Bluebirds' home record is now gone
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport...s/cardiff-citys-neil-warnock-bemoans-17233257

 

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Great Mates..