City fell to defeat against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Friday evening.
Four changes were made from our clash with Stoke City last time out, with Andy Rinomhota, Sivert Mannsverk, Ollie Tanner and Yakou Méïté coming into the starting XI.
City started the game brightly and were disciplined without the ball, whilst looking to break with threat after winning it back. The Bluebirds looked to deliver early crosses from the likes of Callum O’Dowda, Will Alves and Tanner towards a front two of Yousef Salech and Méïté, with the latter having a header saved by goalkeeper Michael Cooper.
Encouraging signs early on continued with a scramble in the Blades box, as Salech and Méïté both had efforts blocked after a direct run from Alex Robertson. Despite a positive opening half-hour for City, it was the hosts who took the lead with 34 minutes on the clock, as Gustavo Hamer converted from close-range.
Before the break, the Blades looked to double their lead and went close through Hamer’s free-kick, which hit the post. After a battle in the opening 45 minutes, it was the hosts who lead at the interval.
With Cian Ashford and Chris Willock introduced at the start of the second half, the latter went close to making a swift impact, as he cut inside and delivered a dangerous cross, with Méïté almost making contact. As City looked for an equaliser, a threatening corner from David Turnbull was flashed over by Will Fish.
Just moments later, the Bluebirds went close once more, as Salech drifted onto the right and delivered for strike-partner Méïté, whose header was saved. In the 88th minute, substitute Ben Brereton Díaz converted from close-range to seal all three points for the hosts.
FINAL SCORE: SHEFFIELD UNITED 2-0 CARDIFF CITY
Sheffield United: Cooper, Burrows, Holding (Robinson 85’), Ahmedhodžić, Choudhury, Souza, Peck, Hamer (Seriki 85’), Rak-Sakyi (Brereton Díaz 77’), Campbell (Moore 65’), Brewster (O’Hare 65’). Subs not used: Davies, McCallum, Brooks, Cannon.
Cardiff City: Horvath, Rinomhota, Fish, Chambers, O'Dowda (C), Mannsverk (R Colwill 76’) (Bagan 89'), Robertson (Turnbull 67’), Alves (Willock 46’), Tanner (Ashford 46’), Salech, Méïté. Subs not used: Turner, Goutas, Daland, Šimić.