Cardiff City fought back to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over Norwich City on Saturday afternoon.
Late goals from Callum Robinson and Callum O'Dowda saw the Bluebirds claim a fantastic three points.
Omer Riza made three changes to the side that gained a valuable point at West Bromwich Albion last time out, as Manolis Siopis, Chris Willock and Andy Rinomhota came into the starting XI.
The Bluebirds started well and controlled the early exchanges. The first meaningful opportunity at goal was after thirteen minutes, as Ollie Tanner squared the ball for Willock, whose effort flew narrowly wide of the post.
As the half progressed, the visitors grew into the game and began to ask questions of the Bluebirds’ backline. Their first effort on goal came via Borja Sainz, who turned and drove at City’s defence before shooting at Jak Alnwick, who made the save.
Ante Crnac then saw an effort deflected wide after a well worked attack by the visitors. The resulting corner called Calum Chambers into action, as two crucial blocks by City’s number 12 ensured that the contest remained goalless. The half-time score was 0-0, with little to separate the two sides in a close-fought first half.
Despite City’s positive start to the second half, the deadlock was broken by the visitors seven minutes into the second period. Callum Doyle fed Sainz, whose strike flew into the net to give the Canaries the lead.
The Bluebirds responded well, beginning to control possession again, with David Turnbull also seeing a powerful effort saved by George Long. At the other end, Alnwick was called into action as he saved Shane Duffy’s close-range header.
In the 67th minute, Sainz saw his effort saved by Alnwick, before Jack Stacey was denied by Dimi Goutas, who brilliantly headed off the line. City’s persistence and spirit was rewarded in the 89th minute, earning an equaliser. A mazy run from O’Dowda down the left flank resulted in him playing inRobinson, who scored to make it one each.
A fantastic late comeback was completed in the 93rd minute, as O’Dowda added to his earlier assist. The ball fell to City’s number 11 on the edge of the box and he smashed the ball past Long to secure all three points.
The Bluebirds return to action on Wednesday, November 6th, as we travel to Luton Town, 8pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 2-1 NORWICH CITY
Cardiff City: Alnwick ©, Siopis, Goutas, O’Dowda, Chambers, Turnbull, Willock (Ashford 76’), El Ghazi (Robinson 62’), Colwill, Tanner, Rinomhota (Daland 83’). Subs not used: Horvath, Fish, Kanga, Méïté, Bagan, Reindorf.
Norwich City: Long, Duffy ©, Doyle, Sainz, Marcondes, Crnac (Gordon 86’), Sørensen (Forson 75’), Schwartau (Hanley 75’), Córdoba, Fisher (Chrisene 62’), Forsyth (Stacey 62’). Subs not used: Mair, Fassnacht, Springett, Mahovo.