Cardiff City came out victorious from a hard-fought contest against Derby County at Cardiff City Stadium.
Second half goals from Callum Robinson and Anwar El Ghazi secured all three points for the Bluebirds.
Omer Riza made four changes to the side that drew away at Millwall in midweek. With Joe Ralls, Alex Robertson, Perry Ng and Cian Ashford coming into the starting lineup.
It was City who had the first clear cut chance of the match, as Ralls' curling effort from outside the box looked to be going in, but Jacob Widell Zetterström did just enough to tip it over the bar.
The Bluebirds continued to press forwards looking for the opening goal, Ryan Nyambe slipped allowing Chris Willock to drive towards goal, but his shot was blocked by a Rams’ defender.
Derby County’s Kenzo Goudmijn fired a shot goalwards from outside the box, but Jak Alnwick was able to keep it out with a superb stop.
Following the break City had a chance to take the lead, Cian Ashford found space with some fancy footwork, his cross was parried by the keeper and Robinson’s follow up effort was denied by the Swedish shot stopper.
The Bluebirds took the lead in the 61st minute. Ralls delivered a pinpoint ball into Robinson who flicked it goalwards. Seeing his initial shot saved by Zetterström, he stayed composed and tucked his follow up shot into the back of the net.
Minutes later City doubled their lead, goal scorer Robinson played it through to El Ghazi who fired home from inside the box to claim his third goal of the season.
The Bluebirds continued their relentless pressure, El Ghazi’s volley was parried into danger by Zetterström, but Ashford was unable to find the target with his follow up shot.
In the 70th minute the Rams’ got one back when Lars-Jørgen Salvesen headed home from close range.
City continued to push forward looking to extend their advantage, Ashford and El Ghazi both had shots denied by Zetterström in the space of a minute.
New signing Yousef Salech went close late on. He drove into the box and found space to let a shot off with some clever footwork, but his effort was kept out by Derby’s shot stopper.
Despite late pressure from Derby County, City’s defence stayed compact to secure all three points and continue their unbeaten run to eight matches.
Final Score: Cardiff City 2-1 Derby County
Cardiff City: Alnwick, Goutas, Daland, Ralls, Chambers, Willock (El Ghazi 56’), Robertson (Salech 67’), Rinomhota, Ng, Ashford (Méïté 84’), Robinson (Fish 84’). Subs not used: Horvath, Siopis, Colwill, Giles, Pearce.
Derby County: Zetterström, Forsyth, Cashin, Osborn (Jackson 86’), Yates (Barkhuizen 86’), Salvesen, Goudmijn (Ozoh 86’), Elder (Harness 77’), Nyambe, Blackett-Taylor (Mendez-Laing 58’), Adams. Subs not used: Vickers, Thompson, Rooney, Turley.