Last Time Out: Barnsley
The Bluebirds came from behind to triumph over the Tykes earlier in the season...
EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS | CARDIFF CITY VS. BARNSLEY
Cardiff City's victory against Barnsley on December 7th, 2019 provided the Bluebirds with their third consecutive victory following wins over both Nottingham Forest and Stoke City in their prior fixtures.
City returned to CCS for Neil Harris' second match in charge at home, making no changes to the side that started in those two earlier matches.
Following a quick start to the match that saw Junior Hoilett hit inches wide of breaking the deadlock, Barnsley's Conor Chaplin put the visitors ahead in the 16th minute of play with a strike from inside City’s area after being played through on goal by an incisive pass.
City soon responded with a goal of their own, however. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's pass met Hoilett on the left wing, who cut inside and crossed. The in-swinging ball was met by Aden Flint, whose outstretched foot struck the ball home to level the scores once more.
The score remaining the same as the matches reached the interval, the visitors once again took the lead in the 48th minute, leaving City to resume the chase.
The second equaliser of the afternoon arrived through Danny Ward, scored his first goal at home of the season in the 68th minute, with a stylish finish inside the area.
The substitute, who had recently been brought onto the pitch, was fed a terrific through ball by Lee Tomlin, and deftly shot home past ‘keeper Samuel Sahin-Radlinger with his first touch.
Nearing the end of the match, City had three chances to go ahead in quick succession. Will Vaulks saw his shot blocked, with Marlon Pack missing on the half-volley moments later. Tomlin’s own effort from the edge of the area looked goal-bound moments later, but the shot went wide of the left upright.
Forward Tomlin grabbed the winner in sensational style in front of the USW Canton Stand in the fourth minute of added time. Mendez-Laing's cross was flicked downwards by Flint, with the ball arching in the direction of City's number 17.
Striking composedly on the half-volley, his shot cannoned off the floor and into the underside of the netting, having flown across the face of the goal and past 'keeper Samuel Radlinger.
With little time remaining and their lead newly established, the Bluebirds held on to secure all three points following a dramatic climax to the events in South Wales.
