BLUEBIRDS’ FIGHTBACK HAS HARRIS HAPPY AT THE VALLEY
NEIL Harris’ first game in charge of Cardiff City ended in a draw after his side came back from two goals down against Charlton Athletic.
Harris’ men showed great character to pick themselves up off the canvas and claw their way back from a two-goal deficit.
This was undoubtedly a game of two halves for the Bluebirds.
The first was littered with defensive errors and woefully sloppy play, the second was far fiercer and more fluid.
They went behind after Conor Gallagher’s early strike before Jonathan Leko doubled the lead before the break.
Junior Hoilett then missed a penalty in the second half before Nathaniel Mendez-Laing converted shortly afterwards to get Cardiff on the board.
It was some late magic from substitute Lee Tomlin that earned Cardiff a point, but it will certainly feel like one that got away for Harris.
Lest we forget this was a beleaguered Charlton side who were missing 10 of their first-team players. This was the perfect opportunity for the Bluebirds to earn their first win on the road this season.
But, for all of Cardiff’s good work in the opening 10 minutes, it all unfolded when a quick break down the right produced the first goal for the hosts.
A hopeful ball into the box evaded all the City defenders and Gallagher was the beneficiary, poking home for the easiest of goals as the Bluebirds’ creaky defence continued to prove a concern.
The visitors then enjoyed a brief period of positive play in which Hoilett and Mendez-Laing looked to cause damage on the flanks and Gary Madine continued to pop up in useful areas.
But it just wasn’t clicking, Madine’s headers were weak and the wingers’ radars were not calibrated well enough.
Callum Paterson will have felt aggrieved not to have been given a penalty when Deji Oshilaja appeared to haul him down in the box, but Cardiff’s shouts were waved away. Harris was less than impressed.
Then came the sucker punch just before half-time. The Bluebirds were carved open once again far too easily and Gallagher, this time turning provider, slotted a pinpoint ball through to Leko, who rifled home expertly beyond Neil Etheridge to double the advantage.
To Cardiff’s credit, they came out fighting in the second half.
Paterson was awarded a penalty after Ben Purrington was adjudged to have fouled him in the area, but Hoi
lett’s limp penalty was saved by Dillon Phillips.
But the visitors’ heads didn’t drop and continued to apply the pressure, which eventually told.
A corner was poorly defended by Charlton and the ball dropped to Mendez-Laing just five yards out and he hammered it into the roof of the net to halve the deficit.
Cardiff really had the bit between their teeth in the second half and the introduction of Tomlin sparked life into their attack.
Joe Bennett was found in acres of space on the left wing and his square ball found Tomlin, whose beautifully-placed shot found the bottom corner to draw level.
There were periods of promise in attack, certainly an emphasis on passing a little more than under the previous regime, but it just wasn’t sustained enough.
The building blocks are there, but one thing is for sure, the Bluebirds’ defence must be sorted out – and quickly.
But, on balance, this was probably the right result. Cardiff still seek their first win on the road this term.