Bristol City haven't had it easy against Cardiff City of late, last season they were defeated both home and away in the league (including a 6-0 thrashing at Ashton gate) and were also defeated in an FA Cup replay, having taken the lead in the original tie on their own patch.
Before Saturday's game you could have forgiven Cardiff fans for expecting similar looking scoreline's this time around, a thought which could have been backed up by taking a quick look at the the two clubs current league positions. The Bluebirds occupied the 2nd automatic promotions spot, six points behind leaders QPR, whilst the Robins found themselves at the very bottom of the league having won just one game out of their first ten.
But the opening 10 minutes was anything but what could have possibly been predicted. By the time Cardiff had their first shot on goal (a Bothroyd header from a Burke cross) they found themselves a goal down and by the 8th minute their Severnside rivals had doubled their lead. Both goals were as a result of sloppy defending by the home side, the first coming from defender Steven Chaulker, who headed home inside the 6 yard box from a free kick by the left hand touchline and the second by the recently Cardiff linked Jon Stead, who hooked in again inside the 6 yard box after a knock down from a corner from the right.
Aside from the noise from the travelling section, the rest of the ground was in complete silence and in a state of shock, but if you are going to go 2-0 down then sometimes it is good to do it early on for at least there is plenty of time to recover the deficit.
And it didn't take long for the home side to go some way towards recovering from the awful start. Just four minutes after the Robins second, Jay Bothroyd swivelled and fired home with his left foot from 8 yards after a pass from the returning Michael Chopra. It was Jay Bothroyd's 8th goal of the season and he is now just 6 goals away from beating last season's tally of 13, a feat he is sure to accomplish providing he stays injury free.
Bothroyd was again excellent on Saturday and it is imperative he stays fit if Cardiff are to mount a decent charge for promotion (I'm pretty sure it's not the first time I've typed these words this season). His performances this term have prompted manager Dave Jones to call for England coach Fabio Capello to consider the striker for an England call and for most people who have seen him play on a regular basis over the past year or so it is hard to disagree with him.
Cardiff proceeded to dominate the rest of the first half, with McNaughtan and Burke combining well on the right hand side and McPhail and Seyi linking well in midfield. McPhail went close from 8 yards after a Burke cross and Bothroyd was again denied by James after combining well with Whittingham. However Bristol City always looked dangerous from set pieces and looked likely to score every time the ball was put high in the box.
Half time came and there were no further goals, but after a discussion over a pint it was agreed the three points were still up for grabs providing the City got off to a good start in the second period.
And a good start they got. Less than a minute after the re-start Cardiff were awarded a free kick on the right hand side after a foul on McPhail. Peter Whittingham took the free kick, which evaded everyone, including keeper James and landed in the bottom left hand corner of the net. After scoring 25 goals last season Whittingham's first goal this season was well overdue and although it wouldn't have been how he would have envisaged opening his account, it was graciously accepted by Whittingham and the team alike and was celebrated enthusiastically by the home supporters.
Cardiff sniffed a win and although Bristol City still looked dangerous from set pieces it was the home side who appeared the more likely to snatch the victory. Burke had a shot deflected onto the crossbar after a run from Bothroyd, who himself, as well as Chopra had attempts saved by James.
It was then Cardiff keeper Heaton who was called into action as he saved down to his left from a decent 35 yard drive from McAllister. But it was Cardiff who were to score the deciding goal and take all 3 points. Whittingham was taken down 7 yards outside the area in a central position and it was he who sublimely put the ball into the net past the despairing dive of James to score his 2nd of the match and season.
Cardiff had further chances to increase their lead as Burke was denied by James and substitute Koumas had an attempt blocked by a defender. Bristol City searched for an equaliser but the Bluebirds, not for the first time this season held firm for the win, a win which would subsequently take them to within 4 points of the league leaders after they drew at home with Norwich.
All in all it was a fantastic last 84 minutes and as unhappy as Jones will be with the defending at the start he will be equally pleased with the fire power and resolve his side showed. City travel to Coventry this Tuesday night, a place they have good memories of in recent times and with Bellamy set to come back things really are looking promising.
It was then Cardiff keeper Heaton who was called into action as he saved down to his left from a decent 35 yard drive from McAllister. But it was Cardiff who were to score the deciding goal and take all 3 points. Whittingham was taken down 7 yards outside the area in a central position and it was he who sublimely put the ball into the net past the despairing dive of James to score his 2nd of the match and season.
Cardiff had further chances to increase their lead as Burke was denied by James and substitute Koumas had an attempt blocked by a defender. Bristol City searched for an equaliser but the Bluebirds, not for the first time this season held firm for the win, a win which would subsequently take them to within 4 points of the league leaders after they drew at home with Norwich.
All in all it was a fantastic last 84 minutes and as unhappy as Jones will be with the defending at the start he will be equally pleased with the fire power and resolve his side showed. City travel to Coventry this Tuesday night, a place they have good memories of in recent times and with Bellamy set to come back things really are looking promising.
As for Bristol City, they have only one objective this season and that is to keep their place in the division. It won't be easy, but it's far from being impossible, but if they are to avoid relegation you feel ex England keeper David James is going to need a lot more help from his team mates.
Result - Cardiff City 3 Bristol City 2
Scorers - City: Bothroyd (12), Whittingham (46, 78) Bristol City: Caulker (6), Stead (8)
Attendance - 22,244.
Fans man of the match - Seyi Olofinjana
My man of the Match - A few candidates, Seyi was worthy of his award and Bothroyd, as mentioned, put in another cracking performance. But I will give it to Whits, he scored his first 2 goals of the season - the second a stunning free kick - as well as having a hand in the first and putting in a top all round performance. Nice to have his name back on the score sheet.
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