Bluebirds big match analysis
CARDIFF City earned their first win of the Mick McCarthy era with superb victory over Bristol City in the 96th Severnside derby at Ashton Gate.
Curtis Nelson headed home only the second goal of his Cardiff career to give the visitors a deserved lead after 19 minutes, before Kieffer Moore doubled the lead with a towering header of his own moments later.
The win halts a sorry run of eight games without a win in all competitions for Cardiff, who were worthy winners on the day.
McCarthy, who remains unbeaten as City boss, handed a start to Liverpool loanee Wilson for the short trip across the Severn Bridge, the forward the only change from last week’s frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Millwall.
The Bluebirds boss was clearly happy with the shape of his side in the stalemate with the Lions, with Cardiff again opting for a fluid wingbacks system against an injury-ravaged Robins side.
Cardiff’s last derby experience arguably spelled the beginning of the end for McCarthy’s predecessor Neil Harris, with City turning in a car crash of a performance against Swansea City back in December.
Indeed City’s return of just five points since that time has threatened to define a largely dreadful season that promised so much more.
But this performance was light years away from that calamity against the Swans.
Light years away from most of their performances this term, in fact.
Cardiff were positive, energetic in the middle, solid at the back and, crucially, showed some ruthlessness in front of goal.
It was a timely reminder of what this team is truly capable of.
Nevertheless, the afternoon was perhaps overshadowed by a mystery injury to Alex Smithies.
With new Robins signing Henri Lansbury standing over a free-kick for the hosts, Smithies signalled for medical attention.
Concerns grew for the goalkeeper, who found himself slumped against the post surrounded by medics, although the sight of him sitting upright on the stretcher as he was carried off will help alleviate concerns over his wellbeing.
Replacement Dillon Phillips was called into action immediately, nervously parrying away Lansbury’s resulting free-kick as Cardiff threatened to wobble.
To lose any player so early on in a game is always going to be a test of character, but Cardiff, to their credit, continued their promising start.
And, as he did against Millwall last weekend, it was Wilson who helped unlock the defence for Cardiff’s opener.
A wonderfully delivered free-kick from the right found the head of Nelson, who did enough to flick it past Bristol goalkeeper Dan Bentley and into the net.
After so often falling behind, Cardiff had seized the initiative here, and just over six minutes later they doubled their lead.
A fine cross from Sheyi Ojo found Moore at the far post, and he made no mistake, heading home for his eleventh goal of the season.
Ojo would have been on the scoresheet himself were it not for Bentley, who produced a fine save to tip the Liverpool loanee’s header over the bar just before the break.
Bristol struggled to muster a response, with Joe Ralls and Will
Vaulks both turning in impressive performances in the middle of the park, while the likes of Sean Morrison and Aden Flint both made telling contributions when called upon.
Cardiff perhaps should have added a third when Moore burst free of his man down the right, but his low ball was played just behind the onrushing Ojo inside the box.
Dean Holden made a triple substitution just after the hour in a desperate bid to swing the pendulum back in favour of his side.
But Cardiff not only remained comfortable, they seemingly continued to strive for a third goal.
That said, clear-cut chances became increasingly hard to come by, with Wilson dragging a speculative effort wide just before making way for former Robin Marlon Pack.
Moore did have a flash at goal late on following some brilliant work from Vaulks, but saw his effort blocked, before the striker then curled over after breaking free from his man into stoppage time.
Bristol, meanwhile, may have played up until Monday morning and they still probably wouldn’t have scored, with Morrison, Flint and Nelson rising to any challenge that came their way with minimal fuss.
Indeed, there were deeply satisfying performances all over the park for Cardiff here, and McCarthy will surely see this as a benchmark for future displays.