Cardiff earn crucial point
Leeds held by Luton, Brentford chase Championship's top two
CARDIFF CITY further strengthened their position in the Championship’s top six after earning a point in a goalless stalemate with Charlton yesterday. It was a game of few clear-cut chances and, at times, a difficult one to watch.
But Neil Harris will be pleased to see another point added on to their total, even if they might have felt the win was there for the taking against the relegation-battling Addicks.
“The euphoria of the last two games and my praise for the players was right, but we still have a long way to go and that was evident tonight. As much as we dominated the ball, we just lacked that killer moment.
“But it could be a valuable point. Fair play to Charlton, they came and parked the bus at times and didn’t quite have those moments to break them down.
“I’m pleased with a clean sheet and a lot of individual performances. We just need those moments of quality,” Harris said.
The Bluebirds started this one positively and produced some pleasing passages of play.
Joe Bennett and
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing linked well down the City left, while Joe Ralls and
Leandro Bacuna were proactive in driving the hosts forward in midfield.
But no matter how hard Cardiff tried, a sprawling
Charlton defender seemed to keep them at bay.
A barrage of crosses from Mendez-Laing and Albert Adomah on the other flank were met by the towering heads of Tom Lockyer and Jason Pearce.
Robert Glatzel and Charlton’s Sam
Field collided nastily in the air, with two players going down and receiving lengthy treatment.
City’s hopes of maintaining their
100% restart had gone but it’s another point, the wheel turns again and, crucially, they remain in those playoff spots.
For Charlton, meanwhile, a third game without defeat edges them further away from the relegation zone, with the Addicks now four points clear of the bottom three.
Elsewhere, Leeds missed a chance to bolster their march towards the
Premier League as the Championship leaders were
held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Luton yesterday.
Harry Cornick curled Luton into an shock lead early in the second half at Elland Road.
When Stuart Dallas fired Leeds level just after the hour, it appeared there would be only one winner. With six games left, Leeds are four points clear of second-placed West Brom, who have a game in hand, and six ahead of third-placed Brentford.
Brentford moved to within two points of the automatic promotion places with a 3-0 victory at Reading.
Scott Parker has challenged fourthplaced Fulham to cope without a recognised striker after his side's 2-1 win at west London rivals QPR.
Barnsley beat Blackburn 2-0, Wigan won 3-0 against Stoke and Millwall drew 1-1 with Swansea.