MATS: OGS FACTOR KEY FOR BAGGIES GOAL

Mats Dhæli hailed the influence of Norwegian countryman Ole Gunnar Solskjær, citing his manager’s positivity and character after Cardiff City’s last second equaliser against Premier League survival rivals West Bromwich Albion.

The away side conceded twice in a frustrating opening nine minutes, making the prospect of taking points from the midlands look remote. On the back of the morale lifting long range goal from Jordon Mutch however, the Cardiff boss brought on Mats for the second half, asking the youngster to express himself and to make an impression.

“He told me to get on the ball, to believe and for us all to work hard as a team,” Mats said at the Hawthorns. “The message from the manager is that you never give up. He tells us for every game that we need to earn our luck, and the way the match ended shows the spirit of the team.

“We all know we need to fight for every point and that’s what we did against West Brom. We worked really hard as a team and I thought that our point was very much deserved. We want to play offensive, attacking football, but also know as a team that have to work on the defensive aspects of the game. If we can get the balance right I think we’ll be ok.

“We wanted all three points, but when you go behind to a goal in stoppage time, you’ll take getting a goal back and taking a point. I practice shooting a lot and it was a special feeling as it was my first goal for the manager. It meant a lot to me.

“I kept on thinking that I’d get one more chance and that I needed to get a goal. I’m really happy that I did and in the way we played in the second half. I hope we can keep it going.

“We’re still in with a chance and have to take the positives from this match into our next game against Crystal Palace. We still believe we can stay up and in the weeks ahead it’s a chance to show our character. That’s what the manager says; to get on the ball, to play and believe.”