Nathaniel top of hit parade
NATHANIEL MendezLaing could be one of the bargains of the summer after Cardiff stayed top of the table.
The former Rochdale striker – signed on a free by manager Neil Warnock – struck a brilliant second goal to seal the points against his boss’s former club.
Sean Morrison had already put his team on their way with a towering header.
But Mendez-Laing’s strike from 20 yards in the 55th minute was a beauty.
With three victories out of three in the league, this is Cardiff’s best start to a season since 1946.
The Blades struggled to cope with the pace and power of Mendez-Laing and Kenneth Zohore, the big Danish striker who almost made it 3-0 with a free-kick.
Cardiff were not among many pundits’ tips for promotion, but Warnock’s shrewd recruitment has been underlined by four straight victories in all competitions in as many games.
Cardiff were eager to build on their positive start to the season – with four goals scored and none conceded – and put the Blades under pressure from the start.
But the Welsh side were able to fashion only one clear-cut opening in the first 15 minutes when Lee Tomlin was played into space on the edge of the box but side-footed wide.
The Blades were nullifying Zohore but the surprise of the Bluebirds’ start to the campaign had been their ability to spread their threat and both Junior Hoilett and MendezLaing tested keeper Jamal Blackman.
Blackman was powerless to stop a thunderous 30-yard shot from Cardiff full-back Jazz Richards which crashed against his crossbar in the 24th minute.
Mendez-Laing – who scored twice in the win over Aston Villa on Saturday – was booked for a late tackle on Paul Coutts as the action became more frenetic.
Chris Basham took revenge by flooring Mendez-Laing and also ended up with a yellow card.
Cardiff continued to press and they should have gone ahead with their best chance so far which fell to Zahore just past the half-hour mark. The Dane was put clear by Aron Gunnarson’s astute pass but despite an unhurried finish he slipped the ball the wrong side of the post as Blackman approached.
United seemed content to try to absorb the pressure and when they did manage to create half an opening, John Fleck’s shot was blocked by Bruno Manga.
Just a minute before the break Cardiff broke the deadlock through their skipper and centre-back Morrison.
It was a sucker punch for the Blades who undid all their hard work by leaving Morrison unmarked to powerfully head home Joe Ralls’ corner.
On the stroke of half-time Billy Sharp had a chance to level things up but fired wide with a volley when he should have hit the target.