Cardiff City were defeated by Sunderland on the opening day of the 2024/25 Championship season.
A first half opening goal from Luke O’Nien and a late strike from Jack Clarke gave the visitors all three points at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
City’s line up saw summer signings Callum Chambers and Chris Willock making their debuts in the starting XI.
The Bluebirds started positively in front of a raucous home crowd, as Willock played the ball to an overlapping Callum O’Dowda, with his low cross falling to Ollie Tanner whose effort deflected wide.
The resulting corner was cleared but played back into the area, with Dimi Goutas’ powerful header forced behind by keeper Anthony Patterson.
However, it was the Black Cats who recorded the opener; a set piece from Patrick Roberts was sent in at the back post and re-directed towards O’Nien, who headed home from close range.
In response, City were able to create chances to level the scores. Willock put in some smart work on the left side found Callum Robinson in the area, but the forward was unable to cleanly connect with the effort to trouble Patterson in goal.
Tanner was also on the receiving end of a cross by Willock shortly before half-time, but his header went wide.
Aaron Ramsey similarly had a chance to get on the scoresheet after the break, but couldn’t keep his balance in the box to direct the effort home.
Also making his debut off the bench was Wilfried Kanga, who was found in the area by Rubin Colwill, but facing away from goal he couldn't quite create enough power to find the net.
Clarke scored in the 89th minute for the away side to double the lead and secure the win for Sunderland.
Next up for Cardiff City is another home fixture in the Carabao Cup against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday 13th August 7:45pm kick off.
Final Score: Cardiff City 0-2 Sunderland
Cardiff City: Hovarth, Ng, Goutas, Chambers, O’Dowda, Siopis, Ralls © (Turnbull 77’), Ramsey, Willock (Colwill 77’), Tanner (Meite 62’), Robinson (Kanga 68’). Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Fagan-Walcott, Bagan, Robertson, Rinomhota,
Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, Alese, O’Nien, Cirkin, Neil ©, Browne, Bellingham, Roberts (Rigg 77’), Clarke (Mundle 90’), Mayenda (Rusyn 72’). Subs Not Used: Moore, Triantis, Johnson, Ekwah, Rigg, Aouchiche, Ba.