KIM BO GRABS POINT AGAINST UNITED

Substitute Kim Bo-Kyung scored a dramatic late equaliser as Cardiff City secured a 2-2 draw and vital point against Barclays Premier League holders Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney had put United in front with a deflected effort, before Fraizer Campbell drew the Bluebirds level against his former club. Patrice Evra restored United’s lead with a headed goal just before half-time, before Kim stole the headlines with a header of his own in injury time.

In their second-consecutive home game in front of the Sky cameras, Cardiff City sought to match the performance that they served up in the 1-0 win over Swansea City at Cardiff City Stadium two weeks previously. This was to be no mean feat though, as the opposition came in the form of the reigning Barclays Premier League Champions, Manchester United.

The visitors, under new boss David Moyes, were without star striker Robin van Persie for their trip to the Welsh capital, but did include their star summer signing, Belgian international midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who had already turned out at CCS this season with former club Everton in August’s 0-0 draw. Fraizer Campbell returned to Cardiff City’s starting line-up after two games on the bench, hoping to have the same impact as he did against United’s fierce rivals Manchester City in Cardiff’s famous 3-2 win earlier this season.

A looping header from Don Cowie after a Peter Whittingham free-kick was half-cleared provided the game’s first half-chance one minute in, but Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea collected the ball under no real pressure from anyone in a City shirt. There was certainly pressure the second time he had something to do though, as Don Cowie crossed with former United striker Campbell seconds away from beating the goalkeeper signed from Atletico Madrid two seasons ago to the ball. Steven Caulker, wearing the Cardiff armband, blocked a Wayne Rooney strike inside the box moments later.

Another free-kick drilled in by Whittingham from their right-wing was headed goalwards by Jordon Mutch for De Gea to make another save after six minutes, before City’s number eighteen was fouled to earn Wayne Rooney the game’s first yellow card, much to the delight of an amped home crowd. 

However it was the away side took the lead as the clock ticked over to fifteen minutes. Ben Turner mis-placed his pass to left-back Andrew Taylor, allowing Antonio Valencia to intercept, finding Javier Hernandez, who in turn found Wayne Rooney. After taking a few touches to set himself, the England International let loose with a shot that deflected off a defender and into David Marshall’s net.

Marshall made a smart save to push away a Fellaini header in United’s next chance on nineteen minutes, before Peter Odemwingie shot over the bar three minutes later. The goal had by no means silenced the Cardiff City supporters, who if anything increased in volume since seeing their side go one-down. Former England captain Rio Ferdinand had to be on hand as Fraizer Campbell leapt to head Jordon Mutch’s drilled cross before the half-hour.

With the home side now doing the attacking, the next chance got them back into the game. A tremendous through ball from Mutch allowed Campbell to race through, and with his first-time finish, the Bluebirds’ number ten levelled things up against his former employers. Campbell had another chance just moments later, but on the turn fired over De Gea’s bar.

With full-back Taylor now on the attack, the City defender crossed for Cowie to shoot over, with Malky Mackay’s side looking more than a match for their esteemed guests. Whittingham followed Cowie’s lead on forty minutes, after Odemwingie had won a header contested with Jonny Evans. At the other end, Caulker did well to not get caught out by Hernandez’s attempted chip over him – had he been tricked, the Mexican would surely have reinstated United’s advantage. That advantage was indeed reinstated at the next opportunity though, as Evra headed home clinically from a Wayne Rooney corner.

Adnan Januzaj had the second half’s first chance as he saw his shot blocked by Caulker. Januzaj, was then brought down by Caulker for Cardiff’s first booking of the game; Whittingham was soon to follow for pulling his man back.

A tremendous save from Marshall kept out a Fellaini header from the resulting free-kick, and Scotland’s number one also had to make a good stop from Chris Smalling’s headed effort from the subsequent corner. Campbell nearly chipped the ball over Ferdinand to create an opening for himself on fifty-three minutes, and then seconds later attempted another chip which struck De Gea’s bar. Taylor’s cross was then reached by Kevin Théophile-Catherine, but the French full-back couldn’t get beyond Evra on the byeline.

Wayne Rooney headed over from an Antonio Valencia cross on fifty-nine minutes. Five minutes later, an offside-looking Javier Hernandez was tackled by Ben Turner. Craig Noone replaced Peter Odemwingie, the Scouse winger making his first Premier League appearance for the Bluebirds, on sixty-five minutes. Peter Whittingham shot hard and wide right after the substitution.

England international Danny Welbeck replaced Januzaj in David Moyes’ first change on sixty-seven minutes. Soon after, Tom Cleverley was fortunate not to head a  Whittingham set-piece into his own net, before De Gea had to come to punch Don Cowie’s corner. Ryan Giggs, coming on to face his hometown club, replaced Javier Hernandez on seventy-three minutes to a decidedly mixed reception from the home fans.

United’s earlier sub Danny Welbeck nearly found himself in behind the City defence, but was foiled by the awareness of Marshall, who bravely came to collect. Kim Bo-Kyung replaced Mutch on seventy-seven minutes. 

After Fraizer Campbell took a knock, he was replaced by the returning Andreas Cornelius, who had not seen first-team action since picking up an injury in the Capital One Cup second round tie at Accrington Stanley. And the big Dane’s first touch was a powerful defensive header from a Rooney corner, with the Cardiff City fans voicing their approval at the player signed from FC Copenhagen last summer.

Cleverley was booked for a poor challenge on Whittingham on eighty-six minutes. Craig Noone, who had looked very dangerous since his introduction, used his trickery to win a free kick on the left-wing. 

After the original delivery had been stopped by referee Neil Swarbrick for a clash between Gary Medel and Fellaini, from the second delivery Kim Bo-Kyung headed past De Gea, with the South Korean’s first Premier League goal getting the Bluebirds level for the second time.

Bluebird hearts were in mouths when Rooney broke through straight after the goal, but Marshall was quicker to his pullback than Welbeck. Chris Smalling shot wide moments later, before Cornelius produced an effort which didn’t really test De Gea. Cardiff City held on for a huge draw, maintaining their unbeaten record on live television this season.

Teams - Cardiff City: Marshall (GK), Théophile-Catherine, Taylor, Caulker (capt), Turner, Medel, Whittingham, Mutch (Kim 77), Cowie, Odemwingie (Noone 65), Campbell (Cornelius 84). Subs not used: Lewis (GK), Hudson, Gunnarsson, Bellamy. 

GOALS: Campbell (33), Kim (90)

Manchester United: De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Fellaini, Cleverley, Valencia, Rooney, Januzaj (Welbeck, 68), Hernandez (Giggs, 73). Subs not used: Lindegaard, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Young, Welbeck, Buttner.

GOALS: Rooney (15), Kim (90)

Attendance: 28,016 (Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff)