Cardiff City brought the season in with a bang after a ruthless 4-0 victory over Scunthorpe United. However, whilst this was a welcome return to form and fortune – the game could have been very different and we will certainly find other Championship teams a more difficult proposition. Despite the heavy defeat, Scunthorpe Utd were actually the better team and really should have scored after just 40 seconds when Gary Hooper went clean through on goal only to badly scuff his effort.
It was an even contest as Cardiff City got the opener in fortunate fashion. It was McCormack`s ingenuity that manufactured a chance for Whittingham whose low shot deflected off Chopra`s boot and looped into the net over a helpless Murphy.
Shortly later, it was two nil again McCormack the provider. He freed Kennedy, who fed Ledley to shoot. Bothroyd converting from close range at the back post. A Chopra free-kick flew over for the Bluebirds while the Iron were restricted to hopeful long range efforts.
Just moments before the break, Cardiff City notched the killer blow. Bothroyd looked to have missed his chance to shoot but back-heeled to Chopra. There was still lots to do but chops dummied to find space and launched a rasping drive into the net from an angle. An emphatic finish.
HT: Cardiff City 3-0 Scunthorpe Utd
All smiles at the Cardiff City stadium, with a number of players doing well. Ledley, McCormack and Chopra were proving a handful while Quinn was especially impressive at the back.
Cardiff City understandably slowed the pace second half but were lucky to maintain their advantage as a woeful Hudson mistake sent Scunthorpe clear. However, a lack of decisiveness and awareness cost them their chance and Gerrard recovered to spare his team-mate`s blushes. Whittingham and McCormack sent free-kicks over the bar and Bothroyd hit the post for Cardiff – Scunthorpe rarely created but caused havoc with two looping crosses that deceived Marshall.
We got behind the Iron defense on numerous occasions, and showed good awareness to pull the ball back into space. Substitute Burke, Quinn, McPhail and McCormack all created shooting opportunities from such positions but could have been encouraged to shoot themselves when well placed.
With just moments to go, Cardiff City grabbed a welcome fourth to wrap up the victory when the lively Burke rounded his man and drove towards the goal only to be felled from behind. Chopra was off, McCormack walked determinedly away so Whittingham fired low to end the game on a high.
FT: Cardiff City 4-0 Scunthorpe Utd
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” ..Scunthorpe were actually the better team ..” – if you meant to add “for the 1st 10 minutes or so ..” that would have made sense .. if you look at actual goal-scoring postions created, Scuthorpe could not have complained too much had they lost say 8-2.
Well spotted! I did in fact mean Scunny were better until ‘it was an even contest’ and after which we were all over them…