Coventry City suffered their second defeat of the Championship season after conceding three poor goals to hand Cardiff City maximum points in South Wales.
The Sky Blues found themselves on the back foot as early as the eighth minute when they failed to defend Cardiff’s first corner of the night, allowing Dimitrios Goutas the space to head home at the near post.
The visitors, however, got themselves back on level terms in the 35th minute when the keeper punched clear a corner and Liam Kelly slipped the ball to Matty Godden who swivelled smartly in the box and turned his shot inside the near post.
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Karlan Grant then restored the Bluebirds’ lead just after the hour when he got ahead of substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto to direct a stooping header inside Ben Wilson’s near post. Substitute Kion Etete then secured the three points for the home side two minutes after going on in the 83rd minute, hitting a smart angled shot that beat Wilson and rolled into the far corner.
The Sky Blues continued to push forward in stoppage time when Godden got a second, heading home at the near post from a Jay Dasilva cross as the scoreline ended 3-2 on the night.
STARTING FORMATION: 3-4-1-2
BEN WILSON: 5.5
Exposed for the early goal, a powerful header that gave him no chance, otherwise not called upon to make another save in the opening 45 despite Cardiff creating plenty of openings. Dived low but couldn’t keep out Grant’s stooping header inside the near post. Will be disappointed he got his angles wrong for Etete’s goal which wrapped the game up for Cardiff.
JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE: 5.5
Had his work cut out against forward Karlan Grant and his marking could have been tighter at times as Ugbo was allowed a decent attempt on goal.
KYLE McFADZEAN: 5.5
Dimitrios Goutas got away from him for a free and powerful header from an eighth minute corner as Cardiff took the early lead. Made a crucial interception to deny Ugbo early in the second half. Lucky to get away with a late yellow for a professional foul.
LUIS BINKS: 5.5
Picked up where he left off at Hull with a composed performance on the left of the back three, pinging some searching long passes with his left foot. Got in a brave and crucial header to deny Ugbo a clear goal scoring opportunity. Replaced by Kitching for the last 18 minutes.
MILAN VAN EWIJK: 6.5
Made use of his long throw threat, the closest City got to the opposition box in the opening half an hour in a poor first half from the Sky Blues. Limped off injured on 53 minutes holding his left thigh. A big miss given the nature of Cardiff’s second goal.
JOSH ECCLES: 5.5
Tracked back and tackled well as Collins threatened to break free down the left and sent in the corner for City’s first half equaliser. Put in some important sliding challenges after the break but City look lacking in midfield.
LIAM KELLY: 5.5
Had a hand in the equaliser as he slipped the ball to Godden to score. A more composed display from he skipper who continued to deputise for the injured Ben Sheaf whose presence is sorely missed.
JAY DASILVA: 6.5
Competed well against wide man Ollie Tanner and got forward well to support attacks as City grew in confidence after their equaliser. Set up Godden's second.
KASEY PALMER: 6
A lively, if somewhat frustrated, return to the starting line-up from City’s most creative outlet. Worked hard throughout and almost scored a second equaliser when his powerful shot was brilliantly pushed wide by the keeper.
MATTY GODDEN: 7.5
Pulled City level when he swivelled smartly in the box to turn the ball inside the near post from a 35th minute corner. Worked hard and put away his second chance of the night with a terrific near post header deep in stoppage time.
HAJI WRIGHT: 6
A threat going forward with his pace but centre-back Goutas kept him in check in a frustrating first half. Arguably at fault for the goal as he failed to stop Goutas’s run in the box.
SUBSTITUTES:
TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO (53 mins, for Van Ewijk): 5.5
Caught the eye straight away by taking his man on and sending in a near post cross as he looked to impress. However, allowed Grant to get away from him in the box to score Cardiff’s second. Good going forward but needs work on his defending.
YASIN AYARI (72 mins, for Kelly): 5.5
Got straight into the game with plenty of good movement and got a shot off, albeit wide. Sent a header wide fro a Sakamoto cross. Lively contribution.
LIAM KITCHING (72 mins, for Binks):
Slotted in on the left of the back three as City were pushing for a second equaliser.
JAMIE ALLEN (83 mins, for Palmer):
Made a welcome return with his first appearance of the season.
ELLIS SIMMS (83 mins, for Wright):
Subs (not used): Brad Collins (GK), Bobby Thomas, Jake Bidwell, Justin Obikwu.
CARDIFF CITY (4-3-3): Jak Alnwick; Perry Ng, Dimitrios Goutas, Mark McGuinness, Jamilu Collins; Ryan Wintle, Joe Ralls, Manolis Siopis; Ollie Tanner, Ike Ugbo (70 mins, for Yakou Meite), Karlan Grant.
Subs (not used): Alex Runarsson (GK), Mahlon Romeo, Kion Etete, Ebou Adams, Romaine Sawyers, Jonathan Panzo, Rubin Colwill, Callum Robinson.
GOALS:
BLUEBIRDS: Goutas (8) Grant (61), Etete (85)
SKY BLUES: Godden (35, 90+5)
REFEREE: Sam Allison
ATTENDANCE:
NEXT UP: Huddersfield Town (h), Monday, September 25 (8.00pm).
