Cardiff City came out victorious in the South Wales derby, as they defeated Swansea City 3-0 at Cardiff City Stadium.
A four-minute brace at the start of the second half from Callum Robinson, coupled with a towering header from Dimitrios Goutas, made it a derby day to remember for the Bluebirds.
Omer Riza elected to make three changes from the side that drew to Watford in midweek. There were returns for Joe Ralls, Ollie Tanner and Callum Robinson, with Perry Ng, Rubin Colwill, and Chris Willock dropping out. There was also a spot on the bench for new signing Yousef Salech.
Despite City starting the brighter of the two teams, it was Swansea who fashioned the first half-chance of the match, as Gonçalo Franco fired over the bar from a free kick.
It was then time for the Bluebirds to start creating opportunities of their own. Alex Robertson had the first sighter, but his strike went past the post. Next up was Calum Chambers, who hit a first-time volley from a corner, but couldn’t quite keep the ball down.
Having had one look in on goal, Chambers was eager to have another, but his next strike from a tight angle went straight at Lawrence Vigouroux. The Chilean keeper was called into action again moments later to make sure Robertson’s free kick went straight into his arms.
Before the break, the returning Robinson found space on the edge of the box, but his shot was held by the keeper, as both sides went into the break on level terms.
After missing a late first half opportunity, Robinson broke the deadlock a minute into the second period. Taking Tanner’s cross down on his chest, the Irish international swivelled away from his marker to find the far corner.
Fast forward four minutes, and the striker was at it again. Robbo latched onto a loose back pass from Josh Tymon, before running in on goal and guiding the ball past Vigouroux.
As much as the Swans tried to work their way back into the game, they couldn’t break down a well-organised and resolute City defence. That would cost them yet again midway through the half, as Omer Riza’s men found an incredible third.
From Robertson’s corner, Goutas rose highest and thundered home to send Cardiff City Stadium into a state of euphoria.
The best chance that Luke Williams’ team created came with 20 minutes to go when a cross came into the box from the byline, but Josh Key headed wide from the back post.
That was to be the last bit of fire to come from the travelling Swans, as the Bluebirds saw them game out in a professional manner and pick up all three points.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 3-0 SWANSEA CITY
Cardiff City: Alnwick, Rinomhota, Goutas, Daland, O’Dowda (Bagan 24’), Chambers (Siopis 76’), Ralls ©, Robertson (Colwill 76’), Tanner (Méïté 84’), Ashford, Robinson (Salech 84’). Subs not used: Horvath, Fish, Ng, Willock.
Swansea City: Vigouroux, Key (Naughton 76’), Cabango, Darling, Allen (Vipotnik 55’), Grimes ©, Eom (Bianchini 55’), Tymon, Franco, Cullen, Ronald (Parker 84’). Subs not used: McLaughlin, Fulton, Christie, Harris, Watts.