Match Report | Stoke City 2-2 Cardiff City

Cardiff City were forced to share the points in Stoke on Saturday afternoon.

The Bluebirds fought back from being a goal down to take the lead against the Potters, but a late injury time equaliser denied City victory away from home.

Omer Riza made five changes to the side that started against Preston North End during the week, with Jesper Daland, Manolis Siopis, Joe Ralls, Chris Willock, and Anwar El Ghazi all featuring in the lineup.

City opened well with a number of early chances made, as Yakou Méïté whipped a low cross in which went unmet, and Calum Chambers narrowly missed a headed effort from a Ralls corner-kick.

Having threatened earlier in proceedings, Andrew Moran put the hosts ahead with 17 minutes on the clock, finishing from Jak Alnwick’s rebounded save following Million Manhoef’s effort.

The Potters did not lead for long, however, as the Bluebirds levelled deservedly just past the half-hour mark. Willock’s blocked shot flew towards Ralls, whose own volleyed effort kindly deflected across the face of goal and towards Anwar El Ghazi, who had stayed onside and finished into an empty net.

Immediately following the equaliser, City nearly scored a second through Willock. The forward found the ball in space in the middle of the park, and drove forwards at pace before unleashing a shot on goal that flew just over the crossbar.

With moments remaining before the interval, the Potters created a good chance to take the lead once again, as Lewis Koumas dispossessed Andy Rinomhota inside the City area. However, with Alnwick rushing off his line to close down the threat, Koumas could only put his shot wide and across the face of goal.

Play continued at tempo immediately following the restart, as both sides looked for their second goal of the afternoon. 

With five minutes of the half played, Manhoef was denied twice in quick succession from inside the area. Initially blocked, the ball fell again to his feet, only for Alnwick to make a great save with an outstretched leg.

At the other end, City look to claim a foothold through Méïté, who struck an inviting free ball on the volley, though it clattered off the crossbar.

As they had against in their last away performance two weeks prior, City frustrated their hosts as the clock turned towards the final half hour of the fixture, with both Méïté and Willock holding the ball up well and drawing yellow cards from their markers in the process.

City took the lead for the first time in the match with 15 minutes remaining, as Willock created a chance from nothing by dribbling into the area and hitting a powerful low cross in towards the six-yard box. While Johansson got low to deny the pass reaching Méïté, the rebounded ball met the boot of Ben Gibson before nestling in the back of the net.

City put their bodies on the line to defend throughout injury time, with the hosts opting to threaten with a series of crosses into the area. 

Emre Tezgel demanded good blocks from both Rinomhota and Alnwick, as the Potters looked desperately for a late equaliser. 

Gibson made up for his previous error by levelling with a minute left, heading in from a free-kick and forcing City to share the points in Stoke.

FINAL SCORE: STOKE CITY 2-2 CARDIFF CITY

Cardiff City: Alnwick, Chambers, Goutas, Daland, O'Dowda, Siopis, Rinomhota, Ralls, El Ghazi, Willock, Méïté. Subs: Horvath, Fish, Kpakio, Bagan, Robertson, Colwill, Kanga, Robinson, Reindorf.