The Bluebirds earned a deserved 2-0 victory over Swansea City in the South Wales derby on Saturday evening.
Ollie Tanner’s second-half goal, along with Aaron Ramsey’s penalty, secured all three points for City.
Erol Bulut made three changes to the side that faced Ipswich Town before the international break, with Jak Alnwick, Ryan Wintle and Iké Ugbo coming into the starting XI.
City started brightly and looked threatening going forward. Ramsey found pocket of space and played in Karlan Grant on the left, who was caught just offside as he drove towards goal. In another positive attack, Jamilu Collins found space, with the left-back’s cross needing to be pushed away by goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.
After looking dangerous in the opening period, the first clear cut chance fell to the Bluebirds in added time of the first half. Striker Ugbo headed the ball down to Yakou Méïté in the box, who turned well before having an effort saved by Rushworth, who ensured the score at the break was goalless.
The Bluebirds came out of the blocks quickly in the second half, as Méïté struck a fine effort from distance, which forced Rushworth to tip over. In another attack for City, Méïté was again involved, picking up the ball on the right and cutting inside, with his curling effort saved by Rushworth.
As City continued to apply pressure, Méïté once again found space on the right, crossing dangerously into the box, with defender Harry Darling just beating Grant to the ball to clear. Bulut’s men were awarded for their persistence in attack, taking the lead in the 72nd minute. Winger Tanner made an instant impact off the bench, cutting inside from the right and firing into the bottom corner.
City immediately pushed forward in search of a second goal and went close to doubling the lead, as Ramsey turned brilliantly on the right and crossed for Grant, who headed just over the woodwork.
With 85 minutes on the clock, Tanner darted down the right and was brought down in the box, earning the Bluebirds a penalty. In his first South Wales derby since returning to the Club, Ramsey calmly slotted home in front of the Canton Stand to double City’s lead, sending the terrific home support into raptures.
Bulut’s men almost added a third in added time, as the ball came out to Wintle with Rushworth off his line, but the City midfielder fired just over.
After recording a deserved victory, the Bluebirds return to action on Tuesday evening (19/09), welcoming Coventry City to Cardiff City Stadium, 7.45pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 2–0 SWANSEA CITY
Cardiff City: Alnwick, Ng, McGuinness, Goutas, Collins, Siopis, Wintle, Ramsey © (Robinson 90'), Grant, Méïté (Etete 80’), Ugbo (Tanner 71’). Subs not used: Rúnarsson, Panzo, Rinomhota, Adams, Ralls, R. Colwill.
Swansea City: Rushworth, Darling, Pederson (Kuharevich 90’), Wood, Tymon, Key, Patino (Cullen 82’), Grimes ©, Fulton (Cooper 90’), Lowe (Ginnelly 62’), Yates (Paterson 62’). Subs not used: Fisher, Cabango, Ashby, Humphreys.