Cardiff City came from behind to take a deserved 2-1 victory over Stoke City at Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Despite the Potters taking the lead through Lewis Baker, the Bluebirds responded brilliantly, as goals from Tommy Doyle and Jordan Hugill secured all three points.
Boss Steve Morison made two changes to the side that drew to Preston North End last time out, with Joel Bagan and Mark Harris coming into the starting XI.
City started brightly and went close to taking the lead, as full-backs Bagan and Cody Drameh combined well, with the latter’s cross almost beating goalkeeper Jack Bonham and finding the net. Both were again involved in another positive Bluebirds attack, as Drameh crossed dangerously for Bagan at the back post, whose effort was tipped onto the woodwork by Bonham. From the resulting corner, striker Hugill rose highest, but headed narrowly over the bar.
The Potters responded well and found the opening goal in the 23rd minute, as Tyrese Campbell found Baker on the edge of the box, who curled into the bottom corner. Just minutes later, City replied with a great chance to equalise, as Harris raced through on goal, but fired narrowly wide of the post.
Morison’s side forced another opportunity in a positive spell, as Doyle’s corner was headed out to Drameh, who powered an effort just over the woodwork. The Bluebirds were rewarded for persistence and found a breakthrough in the 39th minute, as some intricate build-up between Harris and Bagan led to Doyle being played through, firing clinically into the bottom corner to level the scoring.
Buoyed by the equaliser, City continued to push forward and turned the game on its head in the 43rd minute, with Hugill firing brilliantly into the top corner from the edge of the box to send the Bluebirds into the interval with a 2-1 lead.
City looked for an early third in the second-half, with Doyle driving forward and crossing to Harris at the back post, who couldn’t quite direct his header goalwards. The Manchester City loanee was again involved as the Bluebirds pushed forward, as his cross was almost met by defender Aden Flint, only to be beaten to the ball by Bonham.
With City looking bright in attack, Harris produced a great piece of skill to beat Ben Wilmot on the left, before firing a low drive to force a save from Bonham. The Potters grew into the second period and went close through Josh Tymon, who tested the gloves of Alex Smithies from the edge of the area.
The Bluebirds responded well to the visitors’ chance, as Flint met a corner with a towering header into the hands of Bonham. In another positive attack, Drameh broke down the right and delivered low, with his cross just evading substitute Isaak Davies. Fellow full-back Bagan was also close to creating the third, driving across the box, with replacement Uche Ikpeazu inches away from tapping home. Despite Davies being denied by Bonham with a great chance late-on, the Bluebirds secured all three points.
City return to league action after the international break, welcoming Swansea City to CCS on Saturday 2nd April, 3pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 2-1 STOKE CITY
Cardiff City: Smithies, McGuinness, Bagan, Flint, Ralls ©, Hugill (Ikpeazu 73’), Wintle, Drameh, Doyle (Vaulks 88’), Harris (Davies 64’), Ng. Subs not used: Phillips, Colwill, King, Denham.
Stoke City: Bonham, Fox (Maja 60’), Allen ©, Chester, Campbell (Wright-Phillips 75’), Tymon, Wilmot, Brown, Harwood-Bellis, Sawyers (Vrančić 68’), Baker. Subs not used: Bursik, Fletcher, Thompson, Forrester.