Cardiff City Slump As Palace Profit

Cardiff City succumbed to a second successive defeat after a second half winner for Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Bluebirds were dismal in the first half, playing at walking pace and creating virtually nothing. A tame Emmanuel-Thomas effort was the only attempt on goal but Vaughan, Danns and Ambrose all had efforts for the Eagles who looked bright and controlled.

However, the second half was altogether different and Cardiff City dominated the majority of the second period. We had several efforts on goal, before a superb save from Speroni denied Emmanuel-Thomas a goal.

The key turning point came when a dangerous scramble saw Keinan’s effort stopped on the line by a Palace handball but Peter Whittingham put his spot-kick against the post, belying his usual coolness under pressure.

Palace grew in confidence after that and both teams had half-chances but it was Palace who gained the points courtesy of a scrappy goal via Kagisho Dikgacoi’s flick.

Desperately disappointing for Cardiff City again, who failed to take their chances and suffered the consequences. Crystal Palace won’t care a jot and continue their fine home form. They certainly have the players to avoid relegation, and appear to have a lively and effervescent forward in former Cardiff target James Vaughan.