Cardiff City emerged positively for the game and immediately had Wolves’ full-back Foley panicking from the kick-off. Within a minute, it was 1-0 when Hasselbaink’s flick-on ran for Whittingham to surge past the defence and fire coolly past Hennessey.
The game continued such with Cardiff bright and Wolves nervous and lackluste. City chased everything with Parry in particular putting pressure on every Wolves player. Hasselbaink then doubled the lead after a sublime finish to a move he started. Jimmy allowed Whittingham’s deft touch to cross his body, dummying the hapless Wolves defender before unleashing a perfect left-foot curler into the top corner. He could have hit or placed the shot any better – a truly fabulous goal.
Cardiff looked far more comfortable though Enckelman had to be alert to slide at the feet of Keogh as Wolves finally woke up. Kevin Kyle also headed over for Wanderers while at the other end the lively Parry shot marginally over.
McPhail was booked for kicking the ball away, a needless and petulant yellow card but it was Cardiff who finished the half the stronger with Hasselbaink seeing a shot go wide, and another saved by Hennessey. A two goal lead, and the match as good as over with City looking far the more composed.
As expected, Wolves were much improved in the second half but they never caused too many problems for The Bluebirds. Kevin Kyle raced clear after a Loovens mistake but dallied towards the by-line despite having support. His tame pass was cleared by the rcovering Loovens.
Ramsey and Parry both saw shots parried by Hennessey but as the second half wore on, Cardiff closed the game down effectively. They didn’t sit back, but controlled proceedings and gave the disappointing Wolves very little chance.
2-0 to City and a place in the quarter finals. From there, who knows?
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