Match Report : 10/12/2016

REPORT: BLUEBIRDS EARN IMPORTANT POINT AWAY AT IPSWICH

10-man Cardiff City earned a deserved point on the road against Ipswich Town, drawing 1-1 on Saturday, 10th December 2016.

The Bluebirds started strongly at Portman Road, and very nearly took the lead inside four minutes. Aron Gunnarsson hitting the post with a thunderous half volley from 25-yards out.

Former City loanee Tom Lawrence started strongly against his former team, and his deflected effort went close on nine minutes after Luke Chambers' initial shot was saved by Ben Amos.

Iceland captain Gunnarsson netted for Neil Warnock's side away at Nottingham Forest in late-October and he continued showing his attacking capabilities with another well hit shot from distance that forced Town 'keeper Bialkowski into a smart save on 25 minutes. It was Gunnarsson who eventually found the breakthrough for City on 38 minutes, capitalising on a rare goalkeeper error from Bialkowski to divert the ball into the back of the net after a dangerous Peter Whittingham corner kick. Another set piece from the Bluebirds No.7 caused trouble just a minute later, with Sol Bamba this time trying his luck, only to see the ball drift over.

A late interception from full-back Lee Peltier in added time stopped David McGoldrick from testing Amos at close range in added time at the end of the first half, ensuring Warnock's men entered the break with the advantage.

The hosts came out of the blocks in the second period in determined fashion and levelled on 52 minutes in fortuitous circumstances. Luke Varney's powerful effort from inside the box take a wicked deflection to beat Amos.

Further chances followed for the away side, who looked to reassert their advantage. Junior Hoilett and substitute Craig Noone going close. The challenge of securing an away win was made more difficult on 70 minutes as Sol Bamba was shown a straight red card for his reaction, following an unpunished foul by Jonathan Douglas.

Despite this set back, Warnock's men stayed strong and pushed on with Anthony Pilkington going close on 74 minutes. Town striker McGoldrick saw two efforts go high and wide with 90 minutes approaching but it was the ten-man City squad that had the best of the chances in the five added on minutes. Whittingham's free kick was blocked with Sean Morrison going close to securing all three points with a deft header on 90+4, only to see his header pushed wide. Further efforts from Bruno Ecuele Manga and Noone were blocked, and went wide of goal respectively with Neil Warnock's men deservedly taking a point from their travels.

FINAL SCORE: IPSWICH TOWN 1-1 CARDIFF CITY (Varney 52'; Gunnarsson 38')

VIEW NEIL WARNOCK'S POST-IPSWICH TOWN REACTION ON CARDIFF CITY PLAYER HD NOW!

Ipswich Town: Bialkowski, Knudsen, Chambers, Berra, Skuse, McGoldrick, Varney (Sears, 71), Webster, Ward (Pitman, 71), Douglas (Bishop, 79), Lawrence. Subs Not Used: Gerken, Bru, Williams, Emmanuel.

Cardiff City: Amos, Bennett (Noone, 56), Peltier, Morrison, Connolly, Bamba, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Hoilett, Harris (Pilkington, 56), Lambert (Manga, 73). Subs Not Used: Wilson, Ralls, Richardson, Zohore.