Classy Cardiff City Outplay Portsmouth

Cardiff City produced a bright and energetic performance to register a 2-0 win over skint Portsmouth courtesy of a Hayden Mullins own goal and another strike from Jay Bothroyd – number 6 for the season.

The game was played at good tempo, with both sides guilty of giving posession away too easily. However, it was Cardiff City who showed more attacking intent and closed down effectively – deserving the three points.

Bellamy fired wide after a breathtaking counter attacking move latching on to Burke’s cross, before Marc Wilson saw a free-kick well saved by David Marshall. The goal came courtesy of some good pressing, with the impressive Danny Drinkwater dispossessing Wilson, his cross was inadvertently diverted into his own net by Mullins.

A major point in the game arrived when Marshall produced a stunning save to deny David Nugent. That would have made it 1-1 at half time but Marshall’s wondersave kept Cardiff in the lead.

City upped their game after the break, Mark Hudson narrowly missing the target with a header before we got the all important second as Bothroyd nipped between a hesitant Pompey defence to seal the game.

Cardiff’s defense held firm, with Gyepes and Hudson looking their strongest all season. There were a few dangerous moments to negotiate, but no clear chances and the Bluebirds deserved the win. New recruit Andy Keogh looked to have capped his cameo with a late goal, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

A very welcome away win for Cardiff City, which sees us joint top of the table with QPR. More impressive was the high tempo, and high work-rate on show – a very impressive performance all round.