MIDDLESBROUGH 1 NO BLEWBIRDS! Last-game slip-up could cost Cardiff play-off place and give ‘enemy up the road’ crack at Prem glory
CARDIFF CITY 3
NEIL Harris branded Cardiff’s final-day play-off bid as a “straight shootout between us and the enemy up the road.”
Josh Murphy took Cardiff to the brink of a top-six finish to set up a last-day showdown with South Wales neighbours Swansea.
Harris’s men brushed aside pathetic Boro with ease, with a double strike from substitute Murphy and one from defender Sean Morrison.
City have to avoid defeat at home to Hull on Wednesday for a crack at the top flight through the playoffs. If they lose, Swansea can overhaul them in sixth place with a win at Reading.
Bluebirds boss Harris said: “It was a monumental win. Whoever deserves it will get it. We focus on ourselves. Anything can happen on the final day.
“We need character at this stage of the season. The players are fully aware of the stakes. I will say: ‘Over to you, time to deliver now’. I have faith in my players.”
Harris said winger Murphy’s goals were his most important yet for the club, adding: “Josh has not played much in the last few weeks and was feeling sorry for himself. He wanted to play, and loves football.
“He pops up with two goals and that is how quickly the game can change for you. Murph has to be an integral part of the team, defensive shape, be aggressive and put his body on the line, be reliable and have the X-factor.
“You want your attacking
MIDDLESBROUGH CARDIFF CITY 5 ............. Shots on Target ........... 4 4 ............. Shots off Target ........... 6 3 ............... Blocked Shots ............ 3 8 ..................... Corners ................... 5 13 ....................... Fouls ..................... 11 1 ...................... Offsides .................. 2 2 ................. Yellow Cards .............. 2 1 .................... Red Cards ................ 0 62.3 .... Passing Success %.. 66.9 72 ................. Duels Won .............. 83 46.5 ....... Duel Success % ..... 53.5 12 ..................... Tackles ................. 26 83.3 ........ Tackles Won % ...... 65.4 44.7 .......... Possession % ....... 55.3 57.2 ....... Territorial Adv % .... 42.8 300 ............ Total Passes ......... 390 26 .............. Total Crosses ............ 15 184 ............... Lost Balls ............. 173 51 ................. Recoveries ............. 64 41.6 ......... 1st Half Poss % ...... 58.4 47.6 ....... 2nd Half Poss % ..... 52.4 players to score and I am delighted for him today.”
Cardiff conjured a storming start to the first and second halves to seal the points.
City settled their play-off nerves within three minutes, talking the lead with a firm, unchallenged header from Morrison from Joe Ralls’s corner.
And within 70 seconds of the restart, Murphy sped half the length of the pitch to finish from 18 yards.
Lee Tomlin sprung the home defence, sending a ball into space and setting up Murphy, who had plenty of time to pick his spot.
Murphy, on as a sub after 17 minutes, added his eighth of the campaign in the 81st minute.
It was a scruffy finish with a rebound off Aynsley Pears, and the credit goes to Nathaniel Mendez-Laing for burning Dael Fry off with his pace to cross for the assist.
City were dominant and the lack of bite from his side will worry Boro boss Neil Warnock, who led Cardiff up to the Premier League before leaving in November last year.
Britt Assombalonga scored a late Boro consolation with a 25-yard free-kick before Jonny Howson was sent off after collecting a second yellow card late on after a waist-high tackle on Will Vaulks.
Warnock, 71, has dropped a big hint he will stay on next season but said: “The mental side of players has to be stronger. It showed up what we have known. You have to be able to mark at corners. They were more professional in places.”
Warnock said of his former club: “I would absolutely like to see them promoted.
“It will be a good side to beat them. It’s the same group as I had and they’re a fabulous bunch.”