Cardiff back on top
Bluebirds soar at Leeds’ expense
CARDIFF CITY Football Club climbed above Leeds United at the top of the Championship with a 3-1 win over their promotion rivals yesterday.
Danish striker Kenneth Zohore, who had not scored since the opening day of the season, ended his eight-game goal drought with a brace in south Wales.
Cardiff went ahead with 28 minutes gone when Zohore converted Junior Hoilett’s cross after Mateusz Klich had been caught in possession, and Hoilett extended their advantage from distance nine minutes later.
Leeds skipper Liam Cooper was sent off at the end of the first half for two bookable offences.
The game was effectively over when Zohore tapped home Sean Morrison’s 59th-minute cross, although Kemar Roofe did pull a goal back with 23 minutes remaining.
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock admitted he geared himself up for the visit of Leeds by watching Neil Sedaka in concert.
The 78-year-old Sedaka, the veteran manager said, had told the crowd that the reason he continues to tour is because of the joy he gives his audience.
The speech at the end of a concert in the Welsh capital rang a chord with Warnock who, just 10 years younger, is still going strong and showing no signs of slowing.
Neither are his team. Neil Sedaka? Neil Diamond feels more appropriate as his side of polished up gems dazzled under the lights.
A proud Warnock said: “I just thought we played better, that’s all on the night.
“We had a few blows before kickoff, losing Jazz Richards, Joe Ralls and Aron Gunnarson who have been fantastic this season.
“I’m very proud of all the lads. They’re all genuine. Even the lads who aren’t in the matchday 18 have been fantastic in training and it makes it so much easier for me as a manager.
“They’re all brilliant lads and they can play.”
In other Championship action, substitute Callum Robinson left it late to maintain Preston’s charge as his 88thminute header clinched a 2-1 victory at Hull.
Middlesbrough lost 1-0 to Norwich as James Maddison’s 13th-minute strike sealed the points at the Riverside Stadium.
Ipswich romped to a 5-2 victory over struggling Sunderland, who are now without a win in eight.
Famara Diedhiou and Aden Flint fired Bristol City to a 2-0 home victory over bottom-ofthe-table Bolton, whose seventh successive league defeat was compounded by Filipe Morais’ red card on the stroke of halftime.
Aston Villa extended their unbeaten Championship run to seven games with an emphatic 4-0 away win at lowly Burton.
Fulham won 3-1 at Nottingham Forest after Daryl Murphy cancelled out Aboubakar Kamara’s opener before the break, with Stefan Johansen and Neeskens Kebano scoring after the restart.
Millwall’s George Saville struck in the 80th and 85th minutes to secure a 2-1 victory over Reading, who had gone ahead with 17 minutes remaining through Dave Edwards.
Brentford and Derby drew 1-1 and Barnsley were held to a 1-1 draw by QPR. – AFP/ Walesonline