Cardiff City are out of the relegation places for the first time since the opening game of the season thanks to a 2-0 win over Portsmouth. The Bluebirds are resurgent under Omer Riza and have now taken 10 points from their last four games, a run of form which has seen them usurp Tuesday night's opponents.
An early Regan Poole own goal preceded a Callum Robinson strike after just 12 minutes, which saw City race into a commanding early lead. Despite numerous chances to add to that tally, the Bluebirds could not add to their two early strikes.
City fans won't care, mind you, because they have witnessed three wins in their last four matches and their third home clean sheet in a row. The signs are positive, despite Cardiff currently being technically managerless still, and being out of that relegation zone will certainly provide a huge psychological boost.
Riza had the luxury of naming an unchanged starting XI from the emphatic win over Plymouth Argyle at the weekend. Considering it was two games in the space of four days, it was a bold call. But it paid dividends, but the confidence was bursting through the veins of the City players, who shot out of the traps once again. Having failed to score in five of their first six games, it suddenly looks so easy for them. The wonders a change of confidence can bring.
There was barely six minutes on the clock before Portsmouth's net bulged and it came due via a Pompey player. Perry Ng blasted a low cross across Pompey's goal and it left Cardiff-born Poole in a dangerous spot at the back post. Wary a Cardiff player was bearing down on goal behind him, he slid, facing his own goal, and slotted one into his own bottom corner in front of the raucous away end.
City were all over the visitors like a rash, almost an extension of that game against Pilgrims at the weekend, and just a dozen minutes had gone before Cardiff doubled their lead. Alex Robertson, who was jeered by his old club's fans all evening, whipped in a pinpoint corner to Dimitrios Goutas, who flicked on towards the back post and Robinson smacked the ball from just two yards out into the underside of the bar and into the back of the net. That's his fourth goal of the campaign - it's some run of form for the Irishman.
Portsmouth's luck went from bad to worse when forward Paddy Lane and goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid both had to go off with injuries, while Cardiff continued to pile on the pressure with shots from Robinson, Ollie Tanner and David Turnbull which whistled narrowly wide of the mark.
The hosts continued to fire shots off at will, with Turnbull and Rubin Colwill both going close just after the break. But then Pompey just produced a scare or two.
Before the hour, Kusini Yengi found himself free and bursting into the box before he unleashed a low shot, which ricocheted off Callum Lang and looked goal-bound. Jak Alnwick, donning the captain's arm band for City, got down well and produced a stunning reaction save.
But Cardiff shot up the other end immediately and should have added another. A pinpoint through-ball from Robinson found Anwar El Ghazi and he had only the goalkeeper to beat, but his left-footed shot was saved by the foot of Jordan Archer. It really should have been a third.
Portsmouth came on strong late on, as one would expect them to, but Cardiff did their utmost to thwart them. The pace had trickled out of the game completely and it became something of a slog late on. But after the swagger of the first half, Cardiff showed grit to hang on to that clean sheet and earn the win, taking up to the relatively heady heights of 19th.
Cardiff Dominate the First Half
The match began with a flurry of action, setting the tone for a thrilling encounter. Within the first six minutes, Cardiff found themselves ahead thanks to an unfortunate own goal from Portsmouth defender Regan Poole. The goal came after a fierce cross from Perry Ng, leaving Poole with no choice but to deflect the ball into his own net.
The early lead seemed to fuel Cardiff's determination, and they doubled their advantage just 12 minutes into the match. A precise corner from Alex Robertson found its way to Dimitrios Goutas, who headed the ball towards the back post, where Callum Robinson pounced with a powerful volley, smashing the ball into the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net. The goal marked Robinson's fourth of the season, highlighting his impressive form.
Portsmouth's Injuries and a Close Call
Portsmouth's woes continued as the first half progressed, with injuries to both forward Paddy Lane and goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid forcing them to make early substitutions. Despite the setback, they managed to create a few dangerous moments, notably a low shot from Kusini Yengi that was brilliantly saved by Jak Alnwick. The hosts, however, continued to dominate the first half, with Robinson coming close to adding a third goal after a clever through-ball from El Ghazi but his shot was saved by Jordan Archer.
Cardiff's Second Half Resilience
The second half saw a more cautious approach from both sides, with Cardiff attempting to hold on to their lead and Portsmouth pressing for an equalizer. The Bluebirds showed their defensive resilience, maintaining their clean sheet and earning a valuable win. The victory pushed them into the upper echelons of the table, marking a significant step forward in their fight against relegation.
Cardiff's Key Players
Cardiff's win was a testament to their overall team performance, with several players putting in impressive displays. Rubin Colwill, the 22-year-old Welsh midfielder, played a crucial role in midfield, showcasing his talent and experience. His ability to control the tempo of the game and orchestrate attacks proved invaluable to his side.
A Crucial Win for Cardiff
This victory was not just about moving up the table; it was about gaining momentum and building confidence for the rest of the season. Cardiff's resurgence under Omer Riza is a testament to the team's fighting spirit and their ability to bounce back from a tough start to the campaign. The win has given them a much-needed boost and sets the stage for what could be an exciting remainder of the season.
