The Bluebirds booked a place in the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup with a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United on Thursday evening.
A brilliant away performance included a goal for Cian Ashford, whose first-half strike was enough to secure victory.
Joe Ralls made his 400th Cardiff City appearance as he lead out the Bluebirds. Among seven changes from our draw at Middlesbrough last time out was a start for U21 right-back Ronan Kpakio.
City started brightly and forced some early chances, as Rubin Colwill found space on the right to cross for striker Kion Etete, whose header was saved by goalkeeper Adam Davies. In another attack, a sublime touch from Ashford saw him break forward, before playing in Colwill. The City playmaker laid the ball off to Etete in the box, who struck just wide.
The Bluebirds took the lead in the 19th minute, as Ashford robbed Rhys Norrington-Davies of the ball, before firing into the net. The hosts had control of possession, but City were disciplined without the ball and looked dangerous on the counter, with an attacking trio of Colwill, Ashford and Etete causing problems.
Just before the break, Louis Marsh picked up the ball on the edge of the area from a corner routine and fired at goal, but goalkeeper Ethan Horvath was on hand to save, ensuring the Bluebirds went into the break with the lead.
At the interval, U21 defender Tom Davies was introduced, as well as striker Luke Pearce, the latter making his City debut. The hosts applied early pressure in the second half, but Omer Riza’s side continued to defend well. On the hour mark, a dangerous ball in from Perry Ng found Ollie Tanner at the back post, who fired a powerful effort just over.
Just a minute later, an excellent cross from Ralls found Ashford in the area, who couldn’t quite direct the ball past goalkeeper Davies. Ashford was again involved as he cut inside from the left, before firing a wicked strike towards goal, forcing Davies to tip the ball behind.
With ten minutes left of the contest, skipper Ralls went close to marking the occasion with a goal, as he fired narrowly wide of the post after some good work from Pearce to lay him off. Despite the Blades hitting the post late-on through Burrows, City claimed a win to progress.
FINAL SCORE: SHEFFIELD UNITED 0–1 CARDIFF CITY
Sheffield United: Davies, Gilchrist (Colechin 88’), McCallum, Brewster, Burrows, Baptiste, Norrington-Davies © (Robinson 57’), Marsh, Brooks, Oné, Blacker. Subs not used: Faxon, Hamer, O’Hare, Ahmedhodžić, Boyes, Hampson, Aston.
Cardiff City: Horvath, Kpakio (T. Davies 46’), Fish, Daland, Bagan, Ng (Rinomhota 76’), Ralls (C), Tanner, R Colwill (Robertson 63’), Ashford (Siopis 76’), Etete (Pearce 46’). Subs not used: Turner, Giles, Jefferies, Willock.