How they rated

RYAN ALLSOP

Commanded his box really well. Late on, when Blues were lumping crosses into the box, he claimed and mopped up all the loose balls. A calming influence.

PERRY NG

Got barged out of the way early on by Troy Deeney and looked a little lacking in physicality. But after that early setback he recovered well. Was good in the air and with the ball.

CEDRIC KIPRE

So cool and calm on the ball it’s actually a joke. Spins strikers when he’s facing his own goal, heads everything and is an absolute unit. Impressive again. Caught out once or twice in the second half, but largely did very well.

JAMILU COLLINS

What an addition this guy is looking. Overlapped Philogene constantly, provided excellent crosses and dribbled well. Defensively sound, too.

RYAN WINTLE (CAPT)

Got the pre-assist for Philogene’s goal with his tremendous ball in behind for O’Dowda. Just consistently very good at this level now.

ANDY RINOMHOTA

Brought a bit of grit and physicality to proceedings but also added to City’s attack, too. Did all the bits you likely wouldn’t notice. Really put himself about.

ROMAINE SAWYERS

Pulled strings so well. Organised the attack cleverly and put the wingers in behind their defenders time and time again.

JADEN PHILOGENE

He will be happy to get off the mark with a little tap-in, but you have to be in those positions. Looked tricky with the ball at his feet at times, too.

MAX WATTERS

It’s hard after a win like that, but he missed so many chances and he knows it. Steve Morison was on his haunches after one gilt-edged chance went begging. Another day they cost Cardiff. Hooked at half-time.

CALLUM O’DOWDA

Another assist chalked up and, to be fair, should have had two or three more when his excellent crosses preceded spurned chances. The driving force of Cardiff’s attack.

STAR MAN MAHLON ROMEO

A monster of a performance from the right-back, in defence and attack. Him and O’Dowda dovetailed so well down the right. Made a crucial intervention to stop a tap-in in the second half.

SUBSTITUTES

Mark Harris (Watters ‘45) 8 - A really bright second half from the forward. Put the ball on a plate for Etete, who missed a headed chance.

Kion Etete (Philogene ‘63) 7 - Missed that close header, but did other things well. Won a free-kick late on which killed the game off. His most assured outing so far. Rubin Colwill (Sawyers ‘63) 7 - Kept the ball nicely for the most part. A tidy outing, although had very few opportunities to score.

Sheyi Ojo (O’Dowda ‘82) - NA.

Subs: Alnwick (gk), Simpson, Ralls.

BIRMINGHAM CITY

Ruddy; Colin, Sanderson, Trusty, Roberts (Williams 54), Placheta; James, Chang (Hall 76), Bacuna (Leko 76); Hogan, Deeney (Jutkiewicz 72).

Subs: Etheridge (gk), Friend, Bellingham.

REFEREE

Darren Bond ATTENDANCE 18,893