Match Report | Cardiff City 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Cardiff City earned a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Iké Ugbo’s third goal in a City shirt gave the Bluebirds the lead, before Barry Bannan levelled for the visitors. In the 98th minute, Ryan Wintle clinically converted a penalty to claim all three points.
Manager Erol Bulut made three to the side that faced Leicester City last week, with Perry Ng, Manolis Siopis and Yakou Méïté coming into the starting XI, the latter for their first City starts.
City started brightly and went close to taking an early lead through Siopis, who met the ball on the edge of the area and struck just wide of the post. In another chance, striker Méïté did brilliantly to turn and find Callum O'Dowda, who couldn’t make sufficient contact with his effort at goal.
The Bluebirds went close again, this time from a corner, as a goalmouth scramble was cleared by George Byers. As City continued to apply pressure, Aaron Ramsey found Perry Ng free on the right, whose dangerous delivery was headed just wide by Méïté.
Just before the break, left-back Jamilu Collins was found in space on the edge of the area, with his powerful effort flying just over. Despite chances for the Bluebirds in the first half, the contest was goalless at the break.
Bulut’s men made a dream start to the second half, taking the lead in the 48th minute. Ng’s cross to the back post was headed back across goal by O’Dowda, with Ugbo on-hand to fire home for his third goal of the season.
City went close to doubling the lead just minutes later, as captain Joe Ralls played in O’Dowda, who was denied by goalkeeper Denis Vásquez. As the visitors grew into the second half, Josh Windass was found free in the box to head at goal, only for City goalkeeper Jak Alnwick to produce a fantastic save.
With 76 minutes on the clock, the ball came out to Bannan on the edge of the area, who curled an effort home to equalise for the visitors. As the Owls searched for a second, Windass drove into the area and fired just over.
In the 98th minute, the Bluebirds dramatically regained the lead. Midfielder Will Vaulks handled in the area, earning City a penalty, which Wintle converted to the goalkeeper's right to claim the victory.
The Bluebirds return to Carabao Cup action on Tuesday evening (29/08), facing Birmingham City at St Andrew’s in the second round, 7.45pm KO.
Cardiff City: Alnwick, Ng, McGuinness, Goutas, Collins (Grant 80’), Siopis, Ralls © (Wintle 80’), Ramsey (R. Colwill 80’), O’Dowda, Méïté (Etete 88’), Ugbo (Tanner 72’). Subs not used: Rúnarsson, Sawyers, Adams, Rinomhota.
Sheffield Wednesday: Vásquez, Palmer, Diaby, Byers (Vaulks 62’), Gregory (Bakinson 92'), Bannan ©, Windass, Paterson, Delgardo (James 86’), Bernard, Smith (Fletcher 62’). Subs not used: Dawson, Iorfa, Valentin, Ihiekwe, Musaba.
