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Cardiff City 0-1 Fulham


Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic continued his record breaking form to score his 34th league goal of the season and earn Fulham a 1-0 win in the Welsh capital.

Mitrovic headed into the far corner of the net after Harry Wilson's pinpoint cross as Fulham stayed clear at the top of the Championship.

Cardiff had missed a golden chance to lead when James Collins was denied by Marek Rodak after going clear.

The defeat sees Cardiff fall to 20th, albeit 13 points above the drop zone.

In truth Fulham never needed to be at their blistering best in this one, with Mitrovic - as he has been so often this term - the difference-maker.

Mitrovic's goal maintained his incredible season, having come into this contest with 33 goals in the Championship, breaking Ivan Toney's record of 31 goals before the season even hits March.

The forward has now scored 12 goals in his last nine Championship matches and if he stays fit, could set a mark this season that will be tough to beat.

Cardiff City have improved markedly at home in recent games, but they still faced an extremely tough task against a Fulham side that seem near certainties to earn promotion to the Premier League as champions.

Fulham have only lost twice on the road this season and presented a tough test for Cardiff, a situation not helped by a sickness bug that has hit the Bluebirds camp, meaning Mark Harris and Uche Ikpeazu were unavailable and Jordan Hugill was only well enough to be among the substitutes.

The visitors made two changes with former Cardiff winger Harry Wilson recalled after missing the midweek win over Peterborough. It was Wilson who had the first chance of the contest, but his shot on the turn was saved by Alex Smithies.

Cardiff should have taken the lead moments later when a route one punt up field from the hosts caught Fulham napping and sent Collins racing clear, but his finish lacked conviction and was smothered by goalkeeper Rodak.

Fulham were far from their best, but they did fashion two good chances just past the half hour mark, but Mitrovic headed wide and defender Tim Ream could not apply the finish after Mitrovic's shot across goal from the subsequent corner.

However, while Cardiff managed to contain the Serbian for 40 minutes, they were undone before the interval when Wilson's cross was not cleared and Mitrovic headed home across Smithies from an unmarked position.

Mitrovic was denied a chance to score from the penalty spot when referee Leigh Doughty remained unmoved despite Aden Flint appearing to handle the ball on 52 minutes, while another ex-Bluebird, Bobby Decordova-Reid, saw a header tipped over by Smithies.

Cardiff were competitive, but simply could not contain Mitrovic and he should have done better with another free header just past the hour mark, but he sent the ball over the crossbar.

The hosts continued to push for an equaliser and substitute Joel Bagan's effort was just off target with 12 minutes remaining, but their final opportunity came and went when Aden Flint volleyed over from a corner in stoppage time.

The win was Fulham's 21st of the season and completed a first league double over Cardiff since the 1995-96 season, when the sides were in the fourth tier.

Cardiff City boss Steve Morison told BBC Sport Wales:
"I couldn't be prouder I thought the lads were fantastic and have gone toe-to-toe with Fulham, limiting them to the least amount of shots they've had this season.

"If we keep performing like that we can have a strong end of the season... we had more chances than them.

"At the end of the game only one team were pushing, so I am really really pleased with the performance.

"It's been one of the toughest 24 hours I've had as a manager, we've had a nightmare with sickness. I've had to change the team several times."

Fulham boss Marco Silva said:
"As we expected it was tough, it is always hard to come here and play.

"We knew what type of game it would be. We always expect first and second balls and balls in our box.

"Apart from one moment when we slept completely, we dealt really well with the situation.

"We controlled big parts of the match. We were a bit slower than I wanted, but we created enough, we were the best team and deserved the three points."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60441698

Marco's Post-Cardiff press conference

Marco Silva told the press that his players did everything right to get past the Cardiff challenge when they beat them 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.

"It's always tough to come here to play," said Marco. "We know that it is a game that demands from us always. In the right moments, they are fully focused and aggressive in challenges.

"From free-kicks and throw-ins, they looked to put the ball in our box and was the moment they believed they could punish us, apart from moment in the first half when we slept completely; a long ball from the 'keeper was their biggest chance in the whole match.

"I think in the second half we dealt with the set-pieces really well in the situation; if you look at both teams compared with size, there is a big, big difference. Our players dealt really, really well with that situation. We knew they would be the moments they force.

"Apart from that, we controlled parts of the match – more first half than second. It's our way to play and we did it.

"A little bit slower than I wanted and because of that, we didn't create the most chances that we have created in a match, but we created enough.

"I think we controlled the match; we were the best team on the pitch and we deserved the three points."

Adding to his already hefty goal tally, Aleksandar Mitrović's first-half goal was the difference between the two sides in the end, but Marco maintains that the team's performance is what allows him to rack up such incredible numbers.

"As a team, we have the capacity to create, and he [Mitro] scored," Marco said of the goal. "As a team, we created something really good. Something that was planned, something that was in our idea and philosophy as well and we did it again, not for the first time.

"Mitro just put the ball in the net."

The Whites remain top of the Championship table having secured back-to-back wins in the league following on from a disappointing result last Saturday.

"It's not the main thing if you are favourites or not," said Marco, when asked about whether he felt his side were the most likely to secure the title.

"From the first day, everyone looks for us as the favourites as we were one of the three teams relegated from the Premier League. It was our obligation to be favourites for all the things that you know.

"Not just us but West Brom and Sheffield United as well and three or four other clubs that will be around and are favourites as well.

"But you know how it is, it is a competition. The other two teams are fighting like we are fighting. We are on the top of the table because we deserve it.

"We are playing well and as a group we are fighting when we should fight, playing well when we should play well.

"We are playing with quality. This is the main thing for me. Not just a matter of winning football matches, but when we play well, we can play well.

"Other times we have to play the ugly side of the match, which we are doing in certain moments as well.

"Nothing is finished. Nobody can achieve anything by the end of February. We didn't achieve nothing yet."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/february/26/marcos-post-cardiff-press conference/

Saints survive stirring Fulham U18s fightback

Southampton hung on for their fourth consecutive league win in a row to consolidate their position at the top of the U18 Premier League south table but were made to sweat for three points as Fulham almost cancelled out a three-goal deficit at Motspur Park this morning.

The Saints, comfortable winners of the reverse fixture at Staplewood earlier in the season, breezed into a 3-0 lead inside the first half an hour. The first goal was soft and arrived from a set play around just three minutes. French centre back Leon Pambou headed a corner goalwards, although the last touch might have come off the unfortunate Ibane Bowat. The visitors made it two on twenty minutes when Dom Ballard put the finishing touches to a superb break by thumping a powerful strike past Michael Allen.

Worse was to follow nine minutes later. Sonnie Davis sauntered away down the right flank latching onto a through ball from Kami Doyle to further stun a shell-shocked Fulham side. Ali Melloul's men had been completely outclassed in the first half but earned a lifeline in the first minute of stoppage time when sixteen year-old striker Oliver Gofford scored his first goal at under-18 level, following up after George Okkas' effort had been palmed away by Eddie Beach.

Fulham gained more of a foothold in the contest after the break, seeing more of the ball in stark contrast to Southampton's monopolisation of possession in the first half. The contest appeared to meandering towards a comfortable win for the league leaders but Melloul's youngsters never gave up. They scored a well-worked second with two minutes remaining when Olly Sanderson headed home a fine cross from Devan Tanton and nearly stole a point in stoppage time as Sanderson played through young forward Aaron Loupalo-Bi, but Matty Carson produced an outstanding saving tackle in the nick of time.

FULHAM UNDER 18s (4-4-2): Allen; Tanton, Parkes, Bowat, Benjamin; Okkas, McCoy-Splatt, Works (Parker 57), Gordon (Loupalo-Bi 49); Gordon; Sanderson, Gofford. Subs (not used): Borto, de Fougerolles, Caton.

BOOKED: Benjamin.

GOAL: Gofford (45+1), Sanderson (88).

SOUTHAMPTON UNDER 18s (3-4-2-1): Beach; Hewlett, Pambou, Carson; Davis, Dibling (Armitage 52), Tshaka, Bragg; Doyle, Morgan (Woods 84); Ballard (Wright 72). Subs (not used): Adli, Ross-Lang.

BOOKED: Beach.

GOALS: Pambou (3), Ballard (20), Davis (29).

REFEREE: Robert Finn.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/02/saints-survive-stirring-fulham-u18s-fightback/

Mitrovic scores again in Fulham victory

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his 34th Championship goal of the season as Fulham moved a step closer to promotion.

Mitrovic headed Harry Wilson's cross into the far corner of the net to clinch another victory for the Whites, who are 11 points clear at the top of the table.

Cardiff did cause them some problems, with keeper Marek Rodak doing well to prevent James Collins equalising.

Fulham were not at their best but were nevertheless deserved winners as they were the better side throughout.

They arguably should have been awarded a penalty when Aden Flint appeared to handle the ball in the box seven minutes into the second half.

And Bobby De Cordova-Reid, playing against his former club, had a header tipped over by Cardiff's ex-QPR keeper Alex Smithies.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/mitrovic-scores-again-in-fulham-victory

Mitrovic makes Cardiff pay

Steve Morison was honest enough when asked in run-up to this game how his Cardiff side might stop Aleksandar Mitrovic. The interim Bluebirds boss admitted you were unlikely to shackle the Serbian and the best opponents would be able to do would be to cut off the supply line. Cardiff managed that for most of this afternoon in a dogged defensive display, but they were punished for a momentary lapse before half time. A set-piece special, devised on the Motspur Park training pitches, saw Fulham overload the right flank from a short corner and Mitrovic snuck away from Aiden Flint to head home Harry Wilson's deep cross from an acute angle.

The Serbian's 34th goal of a glorious campaign proved enough to secure Fulham's first league double over Cardiff since 1996 – when both sides were languishing in the fourth tier. Marco Silva's side have now responded to their hiccup against Huddersfield with a couple of hard-fought wins and, although the league leaders were far from their fluent best in south Wales, gutsy victories like this are what you need to win promotion from the Championship. A tenth clean sheet of the league campaign took the Whites eleven points clear of the third-placed Terriers with two games in hand.

Silva demonstrated the depth of resources at his disposal rotating after the midweek win over Peterborough. Joe Bryan made only his second league start of the calendar year at left back and nearly opened the scoring in the second minute, whilst Nathaniel Chalobah partnered Harrison Reed in central midfield – perhaps with the prospect of a bruising battle in mind. Harry Wilson slotted back in on the right flank and, for the majority of a first half that was short on offensive quality, his link-up play with fellow Welshman Neco Williams looked the most likely route to an opener.

It was Williams, always eager to get forward, whose cross provided the visitors' first real sight of goal. The ball bounced back off Fabio Carvalho – a target for feisty tackles all afternoon – and fell kindly for Harry Wilson but Alex Smithies held his half volley comfortably. The former QPR goalkeeper turned defence into attack in an instant. His long kick out bounced over Tosin Adarabioyo and James Collins was in behind the Fulham back line but Marek Rodak made himself big and resisted the recalled forward's attempted dink.

Rodak then easily fielded an effort from Alfie Doughty as the left wing-back cut inside but Cardiff's brightest attacking moments came from the former Fulham academy graduate Cody Drameh, on loan from Leeds, on the opposite flank. Williams was doing his best to carry the attack to the hosts whipping in a decent delivery that Mitrovic nodded wide before the Serbian scrambled to turn off the corner but Flint got his body in the way.

The decisive moment arrived four minutes from the interval. Another cleverly worked corner routine saw Cardiff outnumbered as Fulham played it short between Reed, ex-Bluebird Bobby Decordova-Reid and Wilson. The latter lifted a lovely ball to the back post where Mitrovic headed across Smithies and into the far corner, having wandered all too easily away from his marker. It looked a simple goal – but Fulham's plan was superbly executed.

Cardiff came out hunting an early equaliser. Collins did have the ball in the net, but was correctly ruled offside as he pounced on a mishit effort from Perry Ng. Rubin Colwill enjoyed a little bit of joy by dropping into the pockets of space behind Collins and forced Tim Ream into a rushed clearance, but the visitors gradually put together a few attacks of promise. Carvalho was at the heart of those, with one weaving run finishing with a cross that flashed across the six-yard box before Flint was very fortunate to survive concerted penalty appeals after handling Williams' centre.

Decordova-Reid then saw a deft header from a free-kick well smothered by Smithies before Mitrovic went close to the killer second twice in quick succession. He saw a snapshot bravely blocked by Ng and lovely interplay with Carvalho and then headed a Decordova-Reid cross over the bar. Cardiff were far from being penned back in their own half, however, with the artistry of Manchester City loanee Tommy Doyle coming to the fore. The midfielder had Adarabioyo at full stretch in repelling a cross and then whistled a free-kick fractionally over the crossbar from 25 yards out.

Two of Morison's substitutes almost combined to level matters with a quarter of an hour left. Ryan Wintle, so impressive in Blackpool colours earlier in the season, floated a lovely ball to the back post where Joel Bagan crept ahead of Williams but headed into the side netting. Silva sent on Josh Onomah and Kenny Tete in an attempt to shore things up but the hosts kept pushing. Ream bravely headed away a couple of corners in added time at the near post, suffering a head injury that saw him off the field, for another which reached Flint, who couldn't keep his rising drive down.

A tight contest, lenient refereed by Leigh Doughty, threatened to boil over in the final minute of stoppage time when Ivan Cavaleiro appeared to have been caught by an elbow from Ng as he led the chase from the front. Tempers briefly frayed – including on the touchline – but the visitors clung on to eek out another important away win.

CARDIFF CITY (3-5-1-1): Smithies; Ng, Flint, McGuinness; Drameh, Doughty (Bagan 67), Vaulks (Wintle 76), Ralls, Doyle; Colwill (Davies 59); Collins. Subs (not used): Phillips, Bagan, King, Denham, Hugill.

BOOKED: Vaulks, Ralls.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Williams (Tete 79), Bryan, Adarabioyo, Ream; Chalobah, Reed (Onomah 75); Wilson, Decordova-Reid (Cavaleiro 85), Carvalho, Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Gazzaniga, Tete, Hector, Seri, Muniz.

BOOKED: Reed.

GOAL: Mitrovic (41).

REFEREE: Leigh Doughty (Lancashire).

ATTENDANCE: 18,929.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/02/mitrovic-makes-cardiff-pay/

Cardiff City 0-1 Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrovic scores again in Cottagers win

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Cardiff City and Fulham at the Cardiff City Stadium as Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his 34th league goal of the season in victory.

Aleksandar Mitrovic extended his record as the Sky Bet Championship's top goalscorer to secure Fulham a 1-0 victory at Cardiff.

Having beaten Ivan Toney's second-tier record since the competition was rebranded, the striker claimed his 34th goal of the campaign.

The goal was enough to see off a spirited Cardiff side and keep Fulham well clear at the top of the table with an eighth win in 10 league games.

Marco Silva's side were not at their best in a sluggish first half but did not need to be against limited opposition who have now won just one of their last five matches.

Harry Wilson returned to face his former club and it was the Wales midfielder who produced the game's first effort on goal in the 13th minute.

His snapshot was saved by goalkeeper Alex Smithies, who almost immediately turned from goal saver to goal creator.

His quickly-taken goal-kick was flicked on by Rubin Colwill but James Collins could not find a way past the onrushing Marek Rodak.

Cardiff pressed down each flank through Cody Drameh and Alfie Doughty, but there was a lack of quality with the final ball and they rarely threatened Rodak.

In contrast, Fulham had a striker who only needed one opportunity.

Mitrovic gave Aden Flint the slip for the first time and was unmarked at the far post to head Wilson's left-footed cross back across goal and past Smithies in the 41st minute.

It was the striker's sixth goal in his last five games and put Fulham firmly in charge just before half-time.

Having failed to find their usual rhythm in the first half, the goal and half-time talk from Silva galvanised the league leaders.

They had a claim for a penalty waved away by referee Leigh Doughty seven minutes into the second half when Flint appeared to handle the ball after Wales pair Wilson and Nico Williams combined down the right.

Just two minutes later, and Bobby Decordova-Reid came close to silencing the Cardiff support, who booed his every touch following an unhappy 18 months in the Welsh capital.

He headed Harrison Reed's free-kick on target, only for Smithies to tip his effort over the crossbar before setting up Mitrovic moments later, but the Serb will have been disappointed not to hit the target.

Cardiff, to their credit, did not buckle under the growing pressure but were limited to half-chances.

Captain Joe Ralls was their driving force and his burst not only led to a yellow card for Reed but saw Tommy Doyle fire narrowly wide from the resulting free-kick.

The hosts rallied for an equaliser in the closing stages but Joel Bagan headed wide before Flint fired over in stoppage time.

What the managers said...
Cardiff's Steve Morison: "It was one of the toughest 24 hours I've had as a manager. It was an absolute nightmare. It started yesterday (Friday) after training and the team changed three of four times up until 1.20pm. But with all of that going on, to perform like we did shows how tight we are as a group. I couldn't be prouder of my players, I thought we were fantastic.

"We went toe-to-toe with the best team in the league and limited them to the least amount of shots they have managed this season. In the end, they scored from their chance and we didn't. Mitrovic got free from a well-worked corner, he had one moment and he scored. That's why he's top of the league. But if we keep performing like that, we will be fine."

Fulham's Marco Silva: "As we expected it was tough, it is always hard to come here and play and we had to be resilient. We knew what type of game it would be. We always expect first and second balls and balls in our box.

"Apart from one moment when we slept completely, we dealt really well with the situation. We controlled big parts of the match. We were a bit slower than I wanted but we created enough, we were the best team and deserved the three points."



https://www.skysports.com/football/cardiff-city-vs-fulham/report/447751

Silva all smiles after another away win

Marco Silva was delighted with a textbook away display after Fulham edged past Cardiff this afternoon.

The Whites came away with all three points from a tight encounter in south Wales thanks to a well-worked corner routine just before half time that saw Aleksandar Mitrovic head home his 34th goal of the season.

The Fulham head coach told his post-match press conference:

"It's always tough to come here to play. We know that it is a game that demands from us always. In the right moments, they are fully focused and aggressive in challenges. From free-kicks and throw-ins, they looked to put the ball in our box and was the moment they believed they could punish us, apart from moment in the first half when we slept completely; a long ball from the 'keeper was their biggest chance in the whole match.

I think in the second half we dealt with the set-pieces really well in the situation; if you look at both teams compared with size, there is a big, big difference. Our players dealt really, really well with that situation. We knew they would be the moments they force.

Apart from that, we controlled parts of the match – more first half than second. It's our way to play and we did it. A little bit slower than I wanted and because of that, we didn't create the most chances that we have created in a match, but we created enough. I think we controlled the match; we were the best team on the pitch and we deserved the three points."

Silva dampened any talk of his side being favourites for the Championship title, with Bournemouth holding two games in hand following storm Eunice-related postponements.

"We are on the top of the table because we deserve it. We are playing well and as a group we are fighting when we should fight, playing well when we should play well. We are playing with quality. This is the main thing for me. Not just a matter of winning football matches, but when we play well, we can play well.

Other times we have to play the ugly side of the match, which we are doing in certain moments as well. Nothing is finished. Nobody can achieve anything by the end of February. We didn't achieve nothing yet."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/02/silva-all-smiles-after-another-away-win/

Wilson salutes strong away display

Harry Wilson hailed a workmanlike away display as Fulham ground out a vital away win over his former club Cardiff this afternoon.

The Welsh winger supplied another assist on his return to Marco Silva's starting line up swinging in a cross for the red hot Aleksandar Mitrovic to head home the only goal of the game – and his 34th of the season. Wilson told FFCTV after the final whistle that he was pleased to claim all three points despite Fulham not being at their best.

"It's three points and that's what we came here to do. I think the majority of the game I thought we played well, I think the last fifteen, twenty they put us under a bit of pressure. We didn't deal with that as well as what we could have. I think before half time, especially the last ten or fifteen minutes, I thought we were good; won the ball back high, kept the ball moving and managed to get the goal I thought we deserved."

Wilson admitted that the move that led to the goal – a smartly worked short corner – was a variation of plan hatched at Motspur Park.

"We worked on that the other day. It was the other way round in training, but when Reedy come over and asked to take it, I thought that would probably work better with me on the edge of the box. We took our time, we made a few passes and when the space opened up for me, I knew Mitro was going to be round the back. Luckily it landed on his head and we all know what happens when you put the ball in the box for him."

The Welsh international isn't getting carried away despite Fulham's position at the top of the Championship – and wants to string a run of wins together following the home defeat by Huddersfield.

"It was a good team performance. We take it a game a time and try to keep winning. The tough ones like today are just as good as the four or 5-0 ones. All wins count as three points and that's our aim."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/02/wilson-salutes-strong-away-display/

Celtic's Matt O'Riley opens up on why partnership with Tom Rogic shouldn't be an issue and Hibs' loanee Sylvester Jasper
A trip to face Hibs at Easter Road is all-new for Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley.

So is facing the brickbats that come with failure, plenty flying around as a result of the 5-1 aggregate Conference League play-off exit against Bodo/Glimt. A grizzly outcome that resulted from the 2-0 loss for Ange Postecoglou's side in Norway. Until the first leg 3-1 home loss to Kjetil Knutsen's team, the 21-year-old had earned only commendations since his £1.5million move from MK Dons in January. However the ease with which Bodo/Glimt were able to play through Celtic has raised concerns the attacking nature of Tom Rogic and O'Riley leaves them too open if the pair are deployed as playmakers in a central three. The Londoner isn't having that.

"Good players can play with good players and the defensive side of things comes down to more than just two players," O'Riley said. "We've only started two games together and it's been against, arguably, the best team we've faced this season. So it's never going to be easy. If we started with a different midfield, it could have been worse – or better. It comes down to more than that. As a team, we just weren't good enough, on or off the ball. We got picked off at times. And even though we lost, I still felt we showed enough to get more.

"There were numerous factors to it. In the league, we're used to teams who sit deep against us – they all play a similar way. Bodo were different because they were more expansive. When they were able to beat our press, they looked dangerous on the counter attack. That was a new challenge for us to deal with and it's where they really punished us. They were clinical going forward. We didn't play our best at Celtic Park but I still don't think it was a 3-1 game. It felt like every shot they had went in. We just weren't good enough in the final third. It came down to both boxes and they were better in ours than we were in theirs. [But] the mood is still good in the camp. We're disappointed but it gives us more chance to focus on the league. A lot of people outside, like the fans, won't feel this is the end of the world because we can concentrate on the title and Scottish Cup."

That focus switches to Leith and an encounter that pits O'Riley against Hibs loanee Sylvester Jasper, a player he knows from their time together at the Fulham academy. "He's a good player, very positive and a guy who likes to drive at defenders," said the Celtic midfielder. "I'm sure he'll be one of their guys to watch out for but I'm sure they've got quality elsewhere. Hibs are a good side from what I've heard. They have loads of good players but Sylv is a guy who can make stuff happen. I'm not sure what his situation is at Fulham but he's still really young at 20. He's got plenty of time. But the main thing at that age is to play regular football so hopefully he can do that here and he can further his career at Fulham or somewhere else."



https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtics-oriley-on-why-partnership-with-rogic-shouldnt-be-an-issue-3587680

Competitive Cardiff again let down by rank bad defending.

For the second time in four days, Cardiff City put in a creditable performance against one of the division's top teams before being edged out by a single goal margin. Actually, forget one of the top teams, today we were up against the top team – a moneybags Fulham outfit that, even in the days when Vincent Tan was splashing serious cash here, were at least a level above us when it came to spending power.

Fulham and Norwich are members of the too good for the Championship, not good enough for the Premier League club and, surely, it's a question of when the Londoners go up this season, not if? When they do, will they be good enough to avoid a fourth relegation in four Premier League seasons? I'm not convinced they will on the evidence of their 2-0 home win against us in October in the midst of our club record run of defeats and this 1-0 victory today.

Certainly, Fulham will need a lot more from striker Aleksandar Mitrovic than they got from him in 18/19 and 20/21, but he will go into the top tier this time on the back of a fantastic scoring season in which it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that he ends up with fifty league goals.

It almost goes without saying that it was Mitrovic who got the decisive goal today to take his league tally to thirty four with thirteen matches left, so he seems a certainty to reach forty, which is a figure unheard of at this level in recent times.

When you consider that Fulham have scored two sevens, a five and two fours already on their travels, City can be pleased up to a point with how they coped with the Londoners attack today, but, just as on Wednesday, they let themselves down by conceding a poor goal from the sort of high cross we are well equipped to deal with.

The truth for me is that it was Fulham's defence that was more responsible for their win today. Since they were under their current ownership, Fulham have always struck me as the sort of side that has a defensive mistake, or two or three,in them and, in truth, they had one today which we could not take advantage of, but this season, they have conceded twenty nine goals in their thirty three games.

Granted, that's not earth shattering for a top of the table side, but it's four conceded in their last ten away league games now and you could see why as City were held in check despite a flurry of late corners which a white shirted player tended to get a first contact on and us showing an ability to get in down the side of their back four at times.

It should be said that City wasted some of these promising situations because of a lack of quality on the ball in, but when they did get it right, there was always a defender to get a block or tackle in.

Would Fulham have been as comfortable at the back against a City squad which was not without Uche Ikpeazu and Mark Harris with an illness which meant that others like Jordan Hugill and Ryan Wintle were only named as subs? I think they probably would have, so it's strange that the one mistake, which led to what was easily our best chance, came early on from a routine punt down the middle by Alex Smithies after he had comfortably held a Harry Wilson effort.

With half of their forward options either missing or only considered able to make a brief contribution (as it was, Hugill did not come on), Steve Morison relied on James Collins supported by the recalled Rubin Colwill up front, so you would have thought that Collins would have been the target for any long kicks by Smithies, but this one was allowed to bounce by the Fulham defence and suddenly Collins was clean through in the inside right channel with his marker Tim Ream labouring behind him.

I'm afraid it rather sums up how Collins' time at Cardiff has gone that at no time as our striker bore down on goal was I confident he'd score and when the shot came, it was relatively easy for keeper Marek Rodak to deal with. City also came pretty close through a Tommy Doyle free kick, a far post header by Joel Bagan (on as a sub for the impressive Alfie Doughty) and another one of those tough half volley chances that seem to be falling to Aden Flint lately – this one he caught well, but it flew about a yard over.

Up the other end, Fulham weren't as threatening as might have been expected, Mitrovic headed a decent opportunity from a Bobby Decodova-Reid (he was in a stroppy mood on his return to Cardiff City Stadium and didn't have the best of games) cross over and they probably should have had a penalty when Flint handled a cross, but there wasn't a great deal to worry City with the obvious exception of the goal.

That arrived four minutes before half time and was entirely avoidable. City should have been alerted that something different was going to happen when Harrison Reed, rather than Wilson, took a corner which was played short to create a three on two situation. However, the visitors took a long time to get their cross in and yet no City player went over to restore parity so to speak – the up side of this should have been that we had more men in the middle to deal with the cross when it came.

Now, we all know Harry Wilson is a quality crosser of the ball, but, as I mentioned, we had enough people in the area the cross was aimed at to ensure everyone was marked up with Mitrovic being very closely looked after of course. How was it then that when Wilson's ball was aimed beyond the far post there was no one within a couple of yards of the Serbian as he headed across Smithies and just inside the upright? Unfortunately after his mistake for the winner at Huddersfield, Flint had lost his man, but that doesn't fully explain why this record breaking scorer was in acres of space – the one man who above everyone else should be marked was left Scot free.

That one moment of defensive sloppiness cost City – I thought the result was right, Fulham deserved to win, but it would certainly not have been a travesty of justice if we had defended that one situation properly and ended up with a goalless draw.

Instead, our mini revival at home has come to an end and it's another 1-0 home defeat in a season which seems to be full of them.

Finally on this match, I thought Perry Ng was excellent today and has to be seen as one of a back three from now on, because if we do that, then we have one of the passers out from the back we will need if we really are to be successful in our effort to become more of a passing side. However, Ng really should have been sent off in added time for his elbowing of sub Cavaleiro in another example of the poor discipline that has crept into the team in the last year or so.

In other games, the Academy side were beaten again, this time by 3-2 against Millwall with Isaac Jefferies scoring twice before half time to send us in at the break level after we'd gone a couple of goals down, only for the visitors to snatch the game in the second half. In the Ardal League South West, it was more defeats as Ton Pentre went down 2-1 at home to Ponterdawe Town this afternoon to follow up on AFC Porth's 3-1 loss at West End last night. Defeat as well for Blaenrhondda, by 3-2 in the Highadmit South Wales Alliance Premier League at home to third placed Canton Liberals, but Treherbert Boys and Girls Club strengthened their grip on Division Two as they stretched their lead to twelve points at second placed Tata Steel United by winning 3-2.



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Quote from: whitejc on February 27, 2022, 08:56:46 AM
Competitive Cardiff again let down by rank bad defending.

For the second time in four days, Cardiff City put in a creditable performance against one of the division's top teams before being edged out by a single goal margin. Actually, forget one of the top teams, today we were up against the top team – a moneybags Fulham outfit that, even in the days when Vincent Tan was splashing serious cash here, were at least a level above us when it came to spending power.

Fulham and Norwich are members of the too good for the Championship, not good enough for the Premier League club and, surely, it's a question of when the Londoners go up this season, not if? When they do, will they be good enough to avoid a fourth relegation in four Premier League seasons? I'm not convinced they will on the evidence of their 2-0 home win against us in October in the midst of our club record run of defeats and this 1-0 victory today.

Certainly, Fulham will need a lot more from striker Aleksandar Mitrovic than they got from him in 18/19 and 20/21, but he will go into the top tier this time on the back of a fantastic scoring season in which it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that he ends up with fifty league goals.

It almost goes without saying that it was Mitrovic who got the decisive goal today to take his league tally to thirty four with thirteen matches left, so he seems a certainty to reach forty, which is a figure unheard of at this level in recent times.

When you consider that Fulham have scored two sevens, a five and two fours already on their travels, City can be pleased up to a point with how they coped with the Londoners attack today, but, just as on Wednesday, they let themselves down by conceding a poor goal from the sort of high cross we are well equipped to deal with.

The truth for me is that it was Fulham's defence that was more responsible for their win today. Since they were under their current ownership, Fulham have always struck me as the sort of side that has a defensive mistake, or two or three,in them and, in truth, they had one today which we could not take advantage of, but this season, they have conceded twenty nine goals in their thirty three games.

Granted, that's not earth shattering for a top of the table side, but it's four conceded in their last ten away league games now and you could see why as City were held in check despite a flurry of late corners which a white shirted player tended to get a first contact on and us showing an ability to get in down the side of their back four at times.

It should be said that City wasted some of these promising situations because of a lack of quality on the ball in, but when they did get it right, there was always a defender to get a block or tackle in.

Would Fulham have been as comfortable at the back against a City squad which was not without Uche Ikpeazu and Mark Harris with an illness which meant that others like Jordan Hugill and Ryan Wintle were only named as subs? I think they probably would have, so it's strange that the one mistake, which led to what was easily our best chance, came early on from a routine punt down the middle by Alex Smithies after he had comfortably held a Harry Wilson effort.

With half of their forward options either missing or only considered able to make a brief contribution (as it was, Hugill did not come on), Steve Morison relied on James Collins supported by the recalled Rubin Colwill up front, so you would have thought that Collins would have been the target for any long kicks by Smithies, but this one was allowed to bounce by the Fulham defence and suddenly Collins was clean through in the inside right channel with his marker Tim Ream labouring behind him.

I'm afraid it rather sums up how Collins' time at Cardiff has gone that at no time as our striker bore down on goal was I confident he'd score and when the shot came, it was relatively easy for keeper Marek Rodak to deal with. City also came pretty close through a Tommy Doyle free kick, a far post header by Joel Bagan (on as a sub for the impressive Alfie Doughty) and another one of those tough half volley chances that seem to be falling to Aden Flint lately – this one he caught well, but it flew about a yard over.

Up the other end, Fulham weren't as threatening as might have been expected, Mitrovic headed a decent opportunity from a Bobby Decodova-Reid (he was in a stroppy mood on his return to Cardiff City Stadium and didn't have the best of games) cross over and they probably should have had a penalty when Flint handled a cross, but there wasn't a great deal to worry City with the obvious exception of the goal.

That arrived four minutes before half time and was entirely avoidable. City should have been alerted that something different was going to happen when Harrison Reed, rather than Wilson, took a corner which was played short to create a three on two situation. However, the visitors took a long time to get their cross in and yet no City player went over to restore parity so to speak – the up side of this should have been that we had more men in the middle to deal with the cross when it came.

Now, we all know Harry Wilson is a quality crosser of the ball, but, as I mentioned, we had enough people in the area the cross was aimed at to ensure everyone was marked up with Mitrovic being very closely looked after of course. How was it then that when Wilson's ball was aimed beyond the far post there was no one within a couple of yards of the Serbian as he headed across Smithies and just inside the upright? Unfortunately after his mistake for the winner at Huddersfield, Flint had lost his man, but that doesn't fully explain why this record breaking scorer was in acres of space – the one man who above everyone else should be marked was left Scot free.

That one moment of defensive sloppiness cost City – I thought the result was right, Fulham deserved to win, but it would certainly not have been a travesty of justice if we had defended that one situation properly and ended up with a goalless draw.

Instead, our mini revival at home has come to an end and it's another 1-0 home defeat in a season which seems to be full of them.

Finally on this match, I thought Perry Ng was excellent today and has to be seen as one of a back three from now on, because if we do that, then we have one of the passers out from the back we will need if we really are to be successful in our effort to become more of a passing side. However, Ng really should have been sent off in added time for his elbowing of sub Cavaleiro in another example of the poor discipline that has crept into the team in the last year or so.

In other games, the Academy side were beaten again, this time by 3-2 against Millwall with Isaac Jefferies scoring twice before half time to send us in at the break level after we'd gone a couple of goals down, only for the visitors to snatch the game in the second half. In the Ardal League South West, it was more defeats as Ton Pentre went down 2-1 at home to Ponterdawe Town this afternoon to follow up on AFC Porth's 3-1 loss at West End last night. Defeat as well for Blaenrhondda, by 3-2 in the Highadmit South Wales Alliance Premier League at home to third placed Canton Liberals, but Treherbert Boys and Girls Club strengthened their grip on Division Two as they stretched their lead to twelve points at second placed Tata Steel United by winning 3-2.



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It's good to read thoughtful and relatively fair views from opponents particularly on the Flint penalty and Ng's elbow