The first 10 minutes were a scrap, with neither team able to stamp their mark on the game. Sunderland produced the first moment of danger but a cross from Nathan Luscombe was comfortably cleared by the Cardiff backline.
A few minutes later, Sunderland threatened again through a well taken corner, but Josh Herring came out and after fumbling slightly, got a firm grip on the ball.
But then came Cardiff, a neat move involving James Upcott and James Simpson, ended in Simpson sending a fizzing shot straight at keeper Martin Hunter who pushed the ball over for a corner. The resulting corner taken by Matthew Smith was fumbled awkwardly by Hunter but subsequently cleared.
Moments later a cross from the impressive Kyle Bassett resulted in nearly giving Jonathan Brown a chance of a shot at goal, but Brown was adjudged to have handballed.
Cardiff then came at Sunderland again, this time, Brown cut inside from the right to shoot but it was a comfortable save from Hunter.
Cardiff continued to pressure Sunderland with Simpson cutting out a pass and sending the ball forward to Mark Jones who was then fouled 25 yards from goal. The subsequent free kick from Brown was deflected off for a corner which came to nothing.
Around the half hour mark Sunderland had the ball in the goal through Jack Colback but he was adjudged to be offside. Sunderland then came close through Martin Waghorn who shot over at the back post after a left footed whipped in cross from the right.
Simpson was then booked for a late challenge on a Sunderland player but Cardiff were about to strike.
Following some awful hesitation from Hunter, the Sunderland goalkeeper, Jones charged him down, rounded him, and slotted away from an awkward angle. Cue celebration.
Cardiff had their tails up now. Bassett had Sunderland in allsorts of problems on the left and cut inside after neat work but shot high and wide. Jones then nearly added to his tally with a left footed shot from the edge of the area but it was never troubling Hunter.
Following this, the half time whistle came with Cardiff looking very much in control.
Cardiff started the 2nd half brightly with Bassett bringing a smart save out of Hunter.
A few minutes later, a lovely bit of skill 30 yards from goal from Darcy Blake resulted in him being chopped down by a Sunderland player. Simpson dispatched the free kick disappointingly wide from a similar position to where Chopra has stuck in his 2 goals down the Canton Stand.
Sunderland found getting through Cardiff difficult, partly that, and their inability in stopping being offside. I think I counted 8 or 9 times where their strikers were caught!!
Then Cardiff struck again. Following a teasing cross from Matthew Smith on the left, a Sunderland defender headed it out for a corner. The resulting corner was whipped in and after being flicked to the back post and then sent back across goal, Mark Jones was ideally placed on the edge of the 6 yard box to sweep the ball home.
Cardiff then pushed on, Kyle Bassett again cut inside his man but again shot well over.
Sunderland tried to bring the game back at Cardiff, but could only force a shot into the side netting from an impossible angle. Sunderland thought it was time for a change and brought on Andrew Galer for Jordan Henderson to freshen things up. Bradley Middleton was then booked for a robust challenge on Sunderland's number ten Martin Waghorn who was substituted soon after by Lee Chapman.
Cardiff were again at Sunderland and won a free kick in the centre of goal 35 yards out but Matthew Smith hit a curling shot well over. Sunderland spent the remaining of the game creating very little, substitute Chapman only able to bring out a routine save from Herring who looked very comfortable all night.
Cardiff then created a great chance to gift wrap the win for Upcott, a long ball was flicked on by Jones into the path of Upcott, who could only fire wide. It was unfair on Upcott who deserved a goal from his hard work. Jones was then given a rest for the final ten minutes and Aaron Ramsey was brought on in his place.
Cardiff saw out the rest of the game comfortably to set up a tie at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal with Arsenal surely seeing themselves as favourites.
Looking at the Cardiff team tonight, Blake and Gunter really stood out, and you could see why they have already been given a chance for the 1st team. Middleton and Evans looked very solid and comfortable at centre back with Smith and Gunter supporting wingers Bassett and Brown well. Simpson and Blake never looked in trouble in midfield and ran the show. Jones and Upcott ran for lost causes all night and Upcott really deserved a goal. Jones looks the type of goal-getter that may come in handy for the first team one day if he continues his progress.
Certainly was worth going down tonight despite the cold, the lads out there did the supporters proud!
Cardiff Team:
Herring, Gunter, Smith, Blake, Evans(c), Middleton, Brown, Simpson, Jones, Upcott, Bassett, Subs: - Wade, McCreesh, Acheampong, Ramsey, Carlisle
Booked: Simpson, Middleton
Goals: Mark Jones (2)
Sunderland Team:
Hunter, Kay, Brown, Weir, Smith, Madden, Henderson, Colback, Dawson, Waghorn, Luscombe
Attendance: 593
External Report
Sunderland Echo