Warnock: We know we can compete now

Neil Warnock declared Cardiff City’s season starts now after a first Premier League win against Fulham. Cardiff climbed off the foot of the table – and above Fulham on goal difference – with a 4-2 victory in front of a near 30,000-crowd in the Welsh capital. Josh Murphy, Bobby Reid, Callum Paterson and substitute Kadeem Harris were all on target. “Our season starts today,” said Cardiff manager Warnock . “Even at half time after we had had a couple of goals, we said this is our time. We know we can compete at this level.” Andre Schurrle had fired Fulham ahead with an 11th-minute beauty from 30 yards and highlyrated 18-year-old Ryan Sessegnon levelled the game at 2-2 before halftime with his first topflight goal. But Fulham slipped into the bottom three as a fourth defeat in five games was confirmed by more dreadful defending. The Londoners have the worst defensive record in the league, having now conceded 25 goals in nine games. Watford boss Javi Gracia saluted the Hornets’ killer instinct after two goals in 58 seconds stunned Wolves. Etienne Capoue and Ricardo Pererya secured a 2-0 win at Molineux thanks to their quickfire first-half strikes. Watford’s first win in six attempts also inflicted Wolves’ first home league defeat since January. The Hornets, who had lost 4-0 to Bournemouth before the international break, rose to the occasion and Gracia hailed their rapid goals. He said: “After the last game we had two tough weeks preparing and we have got a good reward.” Wolves had been on a club-record run of six Premier League games unbeaten, but they never recovered from the visitors’ double blast. Capoue found the bottom corner from 30 yards after 20 minutes, before the hosts gave the ball away from kick-off and Pereyra ran on to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s pass to lift over Rui Patricio seconds later. Eddie Howe admitted Bournemouth were well below their best as they stuttered to a goalless draw against south-coast rivals Southampton. The Cherries created little at the Vitality Stadium and needed 72 minutes to register an attempt on target. Their unbeaten home record came under serious threat in the closing stages, with Saints substitutes Stuart Armstrong and Manolo Gabbiadini squandering golden opportunities. Manager Howe accepts his team must improve in order to continue their strong start to the season. “I don’t think we really got going today, it’s frustrating,” said Howe.