Match Report | Cardiff City 1-0 Millwall

Cardiff City claimed all three points after defeating Millwall 1-0 at Cardiff City Stadium, claiming their first win of the SkyBet Championship campaign. 

Perry Ng’s powerful first half header was the difference between the two sides, but a huge stop from Jak Alnwick deep into stoppage time ensured the victory for the Bluebirds. 

Interim Manager Omer Riza made three changes to the starting line-up that played Hull City on Saturday, with Dimitrios Goutas, Joel Bagan and Ollie Tanner coming in to replace Will Fish, Jamilu Collins and Callum O’Dowda. 

Both teams enjoyed a lively start to the contest, with Millwall’s George Saville having room on the edge of City’s box to shoot but slicing it high and wide for the visitors. 

City’s first effort came following a darting run from Rubin Colwill, driving at the Millwall defence and playing the ball into the feet of Callum Robinson. The striker managed to turn away from his defender but had his effort blocked. 

Keeper Alnwick, looking to back up recent performances in the City goal, got off to a good start after strongly beating away Romain Esse’s strike outside the area. 

Robinson, this time playing off the left wing, cut inside the Millwall defence and aimed to test goalie Lukas Jensen, his effort took a touch off Japhet Tanganga and was safely picked up by the Dane. 

Shortly after, Tanner was brilliantly found from a pass by Alex Robertson, playing the ball over the top of the back line but unable open the scoring, with his effort going off target off his weaker foot.

However, it was not long after that skipper Joe Ralls stepped up on the corner, and found the head of Ng, who lost his marker, rose well and thundered home the header. 

Robinson’s defensive work on the Bluebirds goal line ensured the home side went into half time up on the scoreboard, clearing the danger from the visitors' corner. 

City were eager to double the lead quickly after the break, with Tanner and Colwill linking up on the right wing well, forcing another stop from Jensen but the ball rebounding to Robertson, whose effort was hit wide. 

Colwill again was close to doubling the lead from a free-kick just outside the area. He floated his effort over the wall and was sailing into the top corner, but was again denied by the Millwall keeper. 

Substitute Yakou Meite was agonisingly close to tapping home City’s second after Tanner’s low cross, but his outstretched boot was just out of reach. 

Deep into added time, Jak Alnwick kept out Duncan Watmore’s flicked effort at the near post, confirming City’s first win of the season to the applause of the City faithful in the stands.

Final Score: Cardiff City 1-0 Millwall

Cardiff City: Alnwick, Ng, Goutas, Chambers, Bagan, Robertson, Ralls, R. Colwill (Turnbull 90’), Tanner (Rinomhota 80’), El Ghazi (Willock 62’), Robinson (Meite 62’). Subs Not Used: Horvath, Kpakio, Collins, Ashford, Kanga.

Millwall: Jensen, Cooper ©, Tanganga, Bryan, Langstaff, Leonard, Watmore, Saville (Azeez 75’), De Norre, Esse, Honeyman (Ivanović 63’). Subs Not Used: Roberts, Trueman, McNamara, Wallace, Kelly, Massey, Harding.