Cardiff City Demolish Lacklustre Leeds Utd

Cardiff City produced a polished second half performance and stepped up a gear to turn a 1-0 half time lead into an emphatic 4-0 victory.

The first half was a bright affair, with both sides enjoying spells on top. Leeds forced the first half chances, when Alex Bruce got his head to two corners, buit failed to hit the target. Whittingham hot one shot wide, and fired a free-kick into the wall for the Bluebirds. The first half was very equal, but was ultimately decided on 22 minutes with a goal of the lowest quality.

Heaton`s long punt downfield was into no-mans land, Bruce allowed the ball to bounce and tried to shield Bothroyd as the ball trickled towards recalled Whites ‘keeper Kasper Schmeichel. Essentially, goalkeeper and defender came together, allowing Bothroyd to stroke home into an empty net.

Leeds widemen Snodgrass and Johnson were dangerous, but starved of decent possession. Johnson tried a couple of long range efforts but the better chances were provided when Bellamy linked up with Chopra / Bothroyd and a number of dummies and flicks created chances for Bothroyd, Olofinjana and Bellamy himself.

Immediately after the restart, McCartney was needed to clear a Gyepes header off the line, and block a good low effort from Burke. Snodgrass then saw a powerful free-kick palmed over by Heaton. After 51 minutes, the Bluebirds soubled their lead – agin out of the blue. Husdon charged into midfield and his challenge fell perfectly through to Chopra 1-on-1, Schmeichel got a hand to it but Chopra`s effort crept inside the post for an opportunist second.

The third goal arrived on 55 minutes, and was a far classier affair. Bellamy carried from deep, found Bothroyd who fed Burke in space on the right. Burke`s low centre found Bothroyd`s run for an easy finish. Just a couple of minutes later, it was 4-0 courtesy of a stunning Naylor right footer from 25 yards after the Bluebirds kept possession for 15+ passes.

Substitute Nunez had a good effort that flew just over for Leeds, while fellow sub Gradel caused problems. Becchio did manage to find the net with a header, but was rightly adjudged offside.

The rest of the game passed largely without incident as City were content to maintain possession while Leeds, although energetic, were found lacking. It was a strange game, and could have been so different depending on a couple of moments when the luck was with Cardiff City. A very satisfying evening.