Bluebirds boss is Bowled over by Josh’s Bulut strike
A MIX of the old and new guard edged Cardiff City closer to the play-offs.
Josh Bowler’s sensational first-half strike at Vicarage Road fired Erol Bulut’s Bluebirds to within five points of the top six.
And the Welsh club’s Turkish boss later used four deadline-day signings off the bench to close out a first league win in three.
Afterwards Bulut, whose side are a point behind Watford, praised Bowler’s winner and the fighting spirit throughout his side.
He said: “Josh has to believe in himself because he has these qualities.
“Sometimes he has to know when to shoot, like today, others when to cross.
“It was a great finish.
“I’m very happy. Everyone came here with a clear mind. Everything looked better.”
The contrast in Valerien Ismael’s mood was stark following Watford’s first defeat in seven outings.
The Hornets boss, whose side have an FA Cup replay at Southampton on Tuesday before a trip to Championship leaders Leicester, justifiably felt they deserved at least a share of the spoils.
The Frenchman groaned: “It’s a big frustration and disappointment. In the first half we lacked ambitions but with our subs on we changed.
“We have a missed big chance as we should have beaten them. To lose at home again is very painful. This is a setback.”
Neither goalkeeper was worked in the opening 20 minutes before Bluebirds’ Jak Alnwick parried Giorgi Chakvetadze’s drive and blocked from Yaser Asprilla.
Rubin Colwill was Cardiff’s main threat at that stage and the playmaker went close with a whistling 20-yarder on the half-hour. And it was from that distance and left side of the area that Bowler let rip to break the deadlock two minutes before halftime. Hornets stopper Ben Hamer stood no chance as it screamed into the far corner.
The hosts went close twice. Jamel Lewis’ 58th-minute cross was smacked against the Cardiff post by Colwill before Lewis’ long-range effort flew agonisingly wide.
WATFORD: Hamer 6; Andrews 7, Pollock 6, Hoedt 6, Lewis 7; Livermore 6 (Delebashiru (77) 6); Martins 6 (Dennis (60) 5), Asprilla 7, Kone 6, Chakvetadze 6 (Sema (60) 6); Bayo 6 (Rajovic (60) 6) CARDIFF: Alnwick 7; Goutas 7, Mcguinness 6, Collins 7 (Phillips (82) 6), Ng 6 (Romeo (73) 6); Grant 6, Wintle 7, Siopis 6, Bowler 8 (Wilson-esbrand (73) 6); Etete 6 (Diedhiou (83) 6), Colwill 8 (Turnbull (63) 6) STAR MAN: Josh Bowler – A stunning first goal in four months for the Nottingham Forest loanee proved decisive for victorious Cardiff. REF: John Busby 6