The South Wales Derby ended goalless at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, January 12th, 2020.
Neil Harris made six changes from last time out as Lee Peltier, Robert Glatzel, Marlon Pack, Curtis Nelson, Lee Tomlin and Junior Hoilett were drafted into the starting XI. Before the match, the two sides paid tribute to tribute to two Cardiff City icons who we sadly lost over Christmas and New Year, Alan Harrington & Chris Barker.
The Bluebirds’ opening opportunity came after just three minutes through Sean Morrison’s cross field ball. The centre-back lofted the ball, high into the area from midfield and forward Glatzel headed wide.
Six minutes later, the visitor’s had a chance in front of goal as Connor Roberts’ long throw found its way to Wayne Routledge, who shot over on the half-volley.
Freddie Woodman's first save in the Swansea goal came with a quarter of an hour played, as midfielder Pack’s distanced free-kick found the head of 26-year-old Glatzel, but his attempt was saved.
Woodman was forced to make another stop the following minute. Joe Bennett whipped a cross in from the left flank and central defender Nelson’s powerful header was kept out.
The host’s attacking pressure continued and after 18 minutes, Tomlin sped along the right wing before delivering a low cross that Ben Cabango swept over to deny No. 9 Glatzel a close range opportunity at goal. Tomlin celebrated his 31st birthday at CCS just two days after signing a new contract with the Club.
At the other end, Bersant Celina came close twice: the midfielder curled just wide of the right post from the area’s left corner after 22 minutes, before curling an effort off the right upright from the left wing six minutes later.
Cardiff City responded by directing another effort on target with ten minutes of the opening 45 remaining. Gavin Whyte’s cross from the right flank found captain Morrison and his header was gathered by 22-year-old Woodman.
City's first real opportunity after the interval came with 61 minutes on the clock. Northern Ireland international Whyte’s pass from just outside the box arrived at midfielder Tomlin’s feet in the area’s inside left, but his strong effort from an acute angle flew wide. One minute later, Tomlin directed the ball to winger Hoilett and he caught sight of goal, but the Canadian’s shot went agonisingly astray of the left post.
The Bluebirds desire to open the scoring shone through, and they had another chance after 69 minutes, left-back Bennett paced along the left wing prior to producing a dangerous cross towards the back post, but speeding Glatzel couldn’t connect.
With 13 minutes of the 90 remaining, Cardiff City came within inches of breaking the deadlock. Substitutes combined as Josh Murphy crossed from the left flank and fellow replacement Callum Paterson cannoned a header off the underside of the crossbar.
The Bluebirds continued to press for the winning goal in the final moments, while the away side looked happy to settle. Tomlin's late break forward and shot wide failed to break the deadlock in a tight game that ended all square.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 0-0 SWANSEA CITY
Cardiff City: Smithies, Peltier, Bennett, Morrison, Bacuna, Glatzel (Paterson 70’), Pack, Nelson, Tomlin, Whyte (Murphy 70’), Hoilett. Subs not used: Etheridge, Flint, Vaulks, Richards, Ward.
Swansea City: Woodman, Grimes, Celina, Routledge, Brewster, Wilmot, Ayew, Roberts, Naughton, Byers, Cabango. Subs not used: Nordfeldt, Guehi, Fulton, Bastón, Kalulu, Dhanda, Bidwell.