Cardiff took part in an entertaining match against Manchester City and can take heart that they are only the second club to come away having scored more than one goal in a Premier League match at The Etihad. All eleven league visitors this season have perished with Arsenal managing to score three goals in a 6 – 3 defeat.
Manchester City started the day with 99 goals in all games this season. Their 100th came with a Premier League milestone. Edin Dzeko’s scuffed effort just crossed the line before Kevin McNaughton cleared and the goal line technology system correctly alerted the referee that a goal should be awarded. That was the first time a goal scored decision has been confirmed by the new technology.
The build up to the goal was controversial as David Silva appeared to handle the ball. The Cardiff defence all raised their arms to protest and it was that hesitation that allowed Dzeko the yard of space to get the crucial touch.
Those expecting the floodgates to open were made to think again when Cardiff equalised. A move down the right hand side that Man City would have been proud of was finished off by Craig Noone. A quality pass from Kevin Theophile – Catherine was flicked into Noone’s path by Aron Gunnarsson and the Cardiff winger calmly stepped inside Vincent Kompany before wrong footing Joe Hart.
Cardiff might have given themselves a better chance of actually causing an upset if they had managed to keep the scores level until half time. Instead Jesus Navas put Man City back in front just minutes after Noone’s goal.
Cardiff kept the game close until two more Man City goals in a few second half minutes. Yaya Toure showed his desire to win possession back from Noone and Toure ran three quarters of the length of the pitch to play a one – two off substitute Sergio Aguero before blasting past a helpless David Marshall.
Aguero then wrapped up the points when he turned Steven Caulker inside out before blasting another effort past Marshall.
Despite the game being out of reach of The Bluebirds the team keep looking to attack. Craig Noone played his best game for Cardiff as he made it an uncomfortable afternoon for Pablo Zabaleta. Apart from his goal, his first ever in the Premier League, Noone forced two excellent saves from Hart and impressed everyone with his pacey performance.
Fraizer Campbell scored a second goal for Cardiff in injury time. It was just a consolation but could be important for confidence. It was Campbell’s third goal against Man City this season and all of them from corners. The two he scored at Cardiff City Stadium in August helped Cardiff to a 3 – 2 shock win.
Next up Cardiff face an away FA Cup tie at Bolton before a Premier League game at OIld Trafford.