Bluebirds hit the right note to leave fans singing the praises of Warnock
NEIL Warnock admitted he geared himself up for the visit of Leeds by watching Neil Sedaka in concert.
The 78-year-old Sedaka, the veteran manager said, had told the crowd that the reason he continues to tour is because of the joy he gives his audience.
The speech at the end of a concert in the Welsh capital struck a chord with Warnock who, just 10 years younger, is still going strong and showing no signs of slowing.
Neither are his team. Neil Sedaka? Neil Diamond feels more appropriate as his side of polished-up gems dazzled under the lights.
As the whistle blew to signal a comprehensive victory over a Leeds side who arrived at the top of the Championship, the songs were aimed at Warnock who punched the air as an encore to a headline act that will continue to attract bumper crowds at this rate.
Because this was a performance that Leeds simply couldn’t handle and of a level of intensity, determination and quality that makes you wonder which side in this division could.
Of course, that will be answered over time but, in the here and now, it was a game for fans to savour as goals from Kenneth Zohore and Junior Hoilett. In years to come, mentioning Leeds to Cardiff fans might well prompt memories of more than just one game.
Leeds, so fancied, so impressive in their own right so far this season, were just overwhelmed by Warnock’s men who displayed the energy and discipline of a side who have full faith in the direction they are taking.
There was individual excellence, of course – Hoilett had a hand in all three goals, Zohore’s efforts were rewarded with his first goals since the opening day and Sol Bamba stolled and swept aside 10-men Leeds like a born-again midfielder.
But it was again the collective that came out on top, ovewhelming Thomas Christansen’s side from start to finish. High-energy, high-quality, high hopes. Well worth singing about.
If Warnock’s plan had been disrupted by injuries, he was not deterred from utilising it.
In an ideal world, no doubt, he would have wanted to call upon the hard-running two of Joe Ralls and Aron Gunnarsson to lead the Cardiff charge from midfield, both missing with knocks.
But the message to the Bluebirds was the same regardless of a tinker that placed Bamba sitting in front of the defence and Craig Bryson and Loic Damour ahead of him.
With instructions of intensity, Cardiff set about pressing Leeds hard and fast and either forcing them to go wastefully long or onto the back foot.
It needed the co-operation of all in blue to pull it off, and it duly came. Zohore led from the front, pressurising the merest hint of Leeds possession, ably and determinedly backed up by Mendez-Laing and Hoilett at the right times.
With Bamba sweeping up in front of the defence – playing with both composure and an aggressive edge against his former employers – it allowed for no relief.
And while it produced little in the way of initial chances, the atmosphere that urged Cardiff to continue doing what they were doing always hinted it was on its way.
So it proved. Before Felix Wiedwald had the opportunity to make a save, he was beaten by what was Cardiff’s first clean sight of goal.
It was one they worked for, the aforementioned pressure building and blowing up in visiting faces when Mateusz Klich received a ball from his defenders he didn’t want, struggling as he felt Damour’s breath down his neck before slipping up, giving the chance for the Frenchman to find Hoilett and allow his trickery and pull-back to meet Zohore’s run.
If the first goal was caused from quality on top of opportunism, the second was more simplistic though no less enjoyable or excellently executed as the roar of a bumper Cardiff City Stadium crowd testified.
From a long goal-kick, the first header was won by a white shirt though not dealt with as it bounced down to Hoilett. Leeds’ defence seemed more concerned with the centre-back dragging run of Zohore rather than what the winger could do; his arrowed shot beyond the reach of Wiedwald suggested they got it wrong.
Rattled, Leeds were soon reeling. Kevin Friend may well have shown Cooper a straight red for his 40thminute scissor tackle on MendezLaing. The fact he didn’t quite show the studs may have saved him, though nothing could spare him in first-half injury time when he seemed surprise by the speed of the same winger and could do little but hack him down when he reached the touchline danger.
Against 10 men, Cardiff could afford to conserve some energy and pick their moments.
Leeds had theirs; Neil Etheridge saved well from Gaetano Berardi as he surged through after the break while Luke Ayling’s own break reminded of how threatening Kemar Roofe looks when slipped in.
But the concern – if you can call it that - was fleeting and, before the hour mark, Cardiff’s dominance found its third reward. Hoilett again orchestrated around the box, Sean Morrison in acres of space to shoot across goal and Zohore able to tap in.
It frustrated to see Roofe afforded the space and fortune to see a shot spin in off the post to allow Leeds a consolation.
But Cardiff still controlled, still earned the cheers of a delighted crowd, still unbeaten at home and still warning the Championship they are to be taken seriously as Neil’s diamonds continue to shine.