Pudil ends Warnock’s winning start at Cardiff

LONDON: Daniel Pudil’s goal meant that Neil Warnock’s perfect start as Cardiff boss was held in Czech in the 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday.

The new Bluebirds chief looked set for a second win on the trot in the English Championship thanks to Peter Whittingham’s stunning firsthalf free-kick.

But Czech Republic leftback Pudil’s second-half leveller lifted Wednesday into the top six and left Cardiff in the bottom three.

Early on, Rickie Lambert tried his luck from half-way and Owls keeper Keiren Westwood tipped the effort over.

City struck on nine minutes when dead-ball specialist Whittingham netted with a curling free-kick.

Westwood went off in the 32nd minute after picking up an injury and was replaced by Cameron Dawson, 21.

Sean Morrison’s header hit the bar for Cardiff before the break but Pudil forced home Gary Hooper’s low cross in the 55th minute.

In another match, early pace-setters Huddersfield see their poor run continue to leave them adrift of Norwich and leaders Newcastle.

Preston skipper Tom Clarke put the boot – and head – in the 3-1 win over his old club.

Clarke, who started his career at the Terriers, put them on the way to defeat with a thumping header from Paul Gallagher’s free-kick after just six minutes.

Preston were always the more impressive side and deservedly went clear just before the break.

Alex Baptiste’s bullet header from a tempting Gallagher free-kick flew in to give Simon Grayson’s men breathing space.

Preston grabbed the third when another Gallagher free-kick from out wide deceived everyone to find the corner.

Substitute Nakhi Wells drilled in a consolation for Huddersfield in the 81st minute but David Wagner’s team slumped to their second straight defeat.