Match Report | Cardiff City 1-4 Middlesbrough
Cardiff City were beaten at home on SATURDAY afternoon against Boro.
Erol Bulut made two changes to the side that secured a late win over Southampton last week, with Josh Bowler and Famara Diedhiou coming into the starting XI.
A bright start saw City almost take the lead just four minutes in. Pressure by an alert David Turnbull saw him win the ball 25 yards out; his audacious lob was impressively saved by Seny Dieng.
Dimitrios Goutas saw his header from inside the box bounce just over the bar only a minute later.
Two minutes later Emmanuel Latte Lath was denied by a brave Ethan Horvath, rushing out to prevent the visitors an opener.
Isaiah Jones asked questions of the Bluebirds' defence just after the half-hour mark, weaving through a string of bodies before firing an effort over the bar from just outside the box.
Horvath kept the visitors out again seven minutes later, making a smart stop after Luke Thomas found himself with space and time at the back post. The visitors made the first breakthrough of the game just before half time when a Finn Azaz free-kick was met by centre-back Matt Clarke to finish in off the bar.
City almost drew level two minutes into the second half when Goutas got on the end of a Turnbull cross. His header crashed off the post after a fingertip save by Dieng.
Middlesborough doubled their score on 49 minutes after a scramble in the box ended at the feet of Azaz, who finished over Horvath.
City almost had the perfect response when Josh Bowler slid in Turnbull, whose deft chip crept agonisingly wide of the post.
Latte Lath added a third on the break for the visitors five minutes later, smashing home at Horvath's near post after a long ball.
Alex Gilbert made it four from the following attack after his late run into the box was found by Luke Ayling, leaving the Boro number 14 with time and space to sweep home.
Cian Ashford saw an attempt saved by Dieng after the young Bluebird committed to a surging run down the left wing.
The Bluebirds were to get a consolation goal in the first minute of stoppage time when substitute Callum Robinson intercepted a Dieng pass before sliding the ball across to Bowler who tapped in from close range.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1-4 MIDDLESBROUGH
The fixture rounds off the season at CCS, thank you to everyone for your loyal home support!
Cardiff City: Horvath, Romeo (Conte 57'), Goutas, Phillips, Tanner (Giles 77'), Ralls © (Wintle 68'), Siopis (J.Colwill 57'), Turnbull, Ashford, Bowler, Diedhiou (Robinson 68'). Subs: Turner, Lawler, Giles, Antwi, Sawyers.
Middlesborough: Dieng, Van Den Berg (Dijksteel 73'), Barlaser, Clarke, Latte Lath (Matthews 82'), Jones (Silvera 61'), Ayling, Gilbert (Lennon 73'), Howson © (McCabe 61'), Azaz, Thomas. Subs: Connor, Silvera, Bangura, O'Brien, Greenwood.