The visiting Potters fully played their part in a fast, exciting, open game but they were comprehensively second best and slayed 3-1 thanks to a magnificent double strike by Earnie (who else?) and another from Welsh international team-mate Danny Gabbidon.
Cardiff City and Stoke City supporter attitudes towards each other range from healthy rivalry to passionate hatred even though the clubs had not met in league action for 21 years until 1999. They’ve certainly made up for lost time.
Cardiff’s loss at Stoke at Easter 2000 effectively relegated us to Division Three but ultimately created the right conditions for Sam to buy the club - thanks Stoke! That clash though remains infamous for Staffordshire’s police media publication of a rogue’s gallery leading to the arrest of almost 90 City fans. Nothing will change my view that although not angels, it was discriminate action against us and grotesquely out of proportion to events either that day or compared to occurrences at other games around the country. That and the over the top reactions to City fans following our momentous FA Cup win over Leeds directly contributed to the ongoing stigma of and persecution of our fans which surpasses reality. However it helped the club and fans focus on sorting out our act so thanks Staffs police too.
Just as things cooled, Sam upped the ante in buying Graham Kavanagh and Peter Thorne from The Potters but Stoke again struck the decisive blow in triumphing over City in the Division Two play-offs of 2001/2002 and gaining promotion in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium just to rub it in. Time has suggested City weren’t quite ready then and our youngsters benefited from the extra year in Division Two so thanks yet again Stoke!
They may have had the better of recent clashes but it’s now turned full circle and how satisfying is it to see Stoke making up the numbers in Division One. They survived relegation with a win in the final game last season and tread closely above the drop zone so far this term. Meantime, City go from strength to strength as one of the better sides in the Division with genuine play-off credentials and Premiership ambitions. Who’s laughing now Stoke?
Lennie played it down but the club, players and fans all knew deep down there was a score to be settled. Stoke felt it too as the week leading to the game saw their websites drool their hatred of all things Cardiff and Welsh including jests at their perceived lack of our civilisation. One hell of a contradiction coming from a town regarded as the worst in this country, whose Welsh-born manager was a boyhood Bluebirds fan and whose main chant is Tom Jones’ Delilah! How do they live with themselves?
They’ve engaged themselves in a “who’s biggest?” banter with City fans in recent times but the answer, as if we didn’t know anyway, was proved emphatically as they could only muster 400 fans to visit Ninian Park. They’ll argue about the unattractiveness of compulsory coach travel for all visiting fans – another legacy of that Easter 2000 game – but it’ll be the same for City next month and it certainly won’t stop us.
The game was amazingly, City’s first Saturday 3pm kick-off since Crystal Palace away 5 weeks ago and Ninian’s 2nd home league game in almost 6 weeks. There were two changes from the side who fought back for a point at Burnley’s Turf Moor a week earlier.
Richard Langley was available again post-suspension but Lennie showed a rare attacking boldness to give the on-loan Julian Gray just as his one month loan expires but it is set to be extended. The other change was predictable. Gary Croft, who became a father as final whistle blew at Burnley, was back on the right allowing Tony Vidmar to return to central defence. Prior and Boland made way to the bench where Lee Arran-Jumper-Barrett appeared for the first time as reserve ‘keeper with Martyn Margetson suffering a slight injury. So City started Alexander, Croft-Vidmar-Gabbidon-Barker, Robinson-Kavanagh-Boland-Gray plus Gordon and Earnie.
Stoke had some key experience fielded mostly youth and cast-offs as financial difficulties leave them unable to match the leading sides at this level. Tony Pulis has a reputation for direct, physical football so it was no surprise to see his side looked bigger than City’s although I’m sure their red and white striped kit which made them appear like walking deckchairs had something to do with that too.
In goals was Dutch international ex-Chelsea pornstar lookalike 36 year old Ed De Goey, an imposing figure. In front of him however was centre half Wayne Thomas, a doppelganger for Welsh egg chasing captain Colin Charvis, except bigger and bringing a new dimension to the term barrel chested. He was joined by one time City target Clint Hill, signed for £120k from Oldham in the summer. Right back Richardson was loan singing from struggling (we’re loving it!) Leeds and left was ex-Coventry defender Marcus Hall.
Their midfield of tricky right sided player Kris Commons (youth), Eustace (free transfer), Andrews (loan from Wolves) and Russell (free transfer) were hardly to be feared but they had presence up front with Gifton Noel-Williams and Ade Akinbiyi who were both also free transfer captures.
After brilliant sunshine and the warmest November days for 30 years in Cardiff for 48 hours leading to the game, Stoke kicked-off under drab grey skies, cold temperatures and a chilly breeze. City were almost caught cold too as Stoke almost opened the scoring within 20 seconds. Noel-Williams broke into the area on City’s left, squared to Akinbiyi whose low shot was blocked leaving Commons with a free hit at goal but Gary Croft reacted excellently to block him. A let off.
Panic over and City settled down to dominate Stoke and look threatening every time they got forward. Before 5 minutes had elapsed, Danny Gabbidon had a shot blocked and Gavin Gordon met a Kav touchline free-kick that De Goey blocked at close range. Kav took the free-kick in front of Stoke’s fans getting abuse from them which were drowned by home fans cheering “Ooh-ahh Graham Kavanagh”.
Stoke rallied briefly as Noel-Williams tamely headed a corner wide and Alexander made a simple save but Earnie, worrying Stoke every time he had the ball, was warming up. A brilliant move and link play between Julian Gray and Barker down the left saw the latter cross low, the ball somehow squirted across the face of goal and found Earnie whose goalbound snapshot was denied by superb De Goey reactions to produce a parried stop. Few keepers would have matched that. Moments later, it was the Earnie and De Goey show again with Earnie trying to surprise as he let fly from 25 yards, De Goey was his equal once more, finger-tipping over at full stretch with City’s support now in full voice.
Cardiff were on top and in full control of the crucial midfield battle. They were sharper and hungrier, John Robinson leading by example as always, Bonner was excellent too though, Gray coming into things and Kav looking total class. Another let off came Stoke’s way as John Robinson’s low shot shaved the outside of De Goey’s near post. It felt a matter of time before City breached them but it took an absolute stunner to do it, a goal that will be talked about amongst Bluebirds for years to come.
De Goey’s goal kick after Robinson hit his post landed short of halfway. Robbo was first to react and headed forwards. Earnie met it on his head, taking the ball forward but a little wider and to the left of De Goey’s goal but what happened next is something only a couple of players in British football could match, let alone attempt but it was third time lucky. There was literally nothing on but as the ball dropped, EARNIE without thought smashed it first time. The ball sailed through the air missile like, over De Goey and inside his near post from 25 yards before was able to take in what they had just seen.
His reactions so quick and unexpected, De Goey was beaten by Earnie’s sheer speed of thought and audacity. De Goey didn’t even save it as it came back out, the crowd couldn’t believe for a moment what exactly had happened, I initially thought it had just gone wide but the net bulged and Ninian Park went absolutely mental. The whole ground roared and took to their feet in unison, acknowledging one of the best City goals they’ve seen and are ever likely to see. The whole ground buzzed for upto 5 minutes afterwards, everyone around me couldn’t stop saying. “What a goa-llll” for ages, it was that special. But what a goal and what a player!
Stoke could have collapsed but came to have a go and deserve respect and credit for it too. They never laid down and tried to hit back, the excellent and ever dangerous Kris Commons cut inside before trying a cracking rising drive that Alexander tipped over. For all their good play and threat however, that was the only time City’s goal was seriously tested other than Stoke’s equalising goal.
Stoke relied heavily on last ditch heroic defending and by final whistle, they would probably have entered The Guinness Book of Records for the sheer number of shots they managed to block as City laid siege on them. There was probably another record for the number of times that the crowd appealed for handballs and penalties and Stoke desperately tried to suppress City attacks in the same was that Prince Charles desperately tried to suppress allegations about his private life.
By half-time, Earnie, Kav and Robbo had further efforts blocked, crosses were cut out while Gavin Gordon somehow failed to bundle a ball into goal when free at the far post meeting a beautifully swung left sided cross. City’s overwhelming build up play, power and creativity left Stoke chasing shadows and hanging on but they managed to do that. A thoroughly entertaining half of football with a goal to grace any level of football, the only downside was that City had just the single goal lead to show for it.
Half-Time: CITY 1 STOKE 0
The Potters made a half-time change with the injured Andrews and replaced by ex-City loanee Chris Greenacre. He still has fond memories of his time at Ninian but never added to them today. I don’t recall a single contribution by him.
Instead, City set about killing things off, De Goey denying Robinson’s 25 yard drive with a flying stop Cardiff and Mark Bonner firing inches wide from just inside the area after brilliantly being set up by Gray and Robinson, the chance falling to the wrong player. Earnie was blocked, Gray fired wide as City emphasised their authority. Stoke’s meek response were two Akinbiyi headers placed wide. Akinbiyi and Noel-Williams carried a physical threat, a much greater threat than Gavin Gordon was showing at the other end, but Gabbi and Vidmar were firmly in control. The only thing City fans had to worry about were police in the Bob Bank removing supporters for the heinous crime of standing up, something which most of the crowd have always done.
At 1-0, Stoke always had hope and they hit the jackpot just before the hour with a goal totally against the run of play. It was the first league goal conceded at home since August 25th and 553 minutes. Had City kept a home clean sheet for the 6th successive home league game, it would have equalled their best ever run dating back to 1920 and their first ever season in professional football. They will be a little disappointed not to create a moment of history but more than that, about the way they conceded.
Stoke won a corner that Gabbidon headed back towards the corner flag. The excellent Kris Commons, a small neat tricky winger who was Stoke’s best player, drifted outside two defenders, beat Kav and as the goal opened before him, he let fly with a speculative low left footed effort from 20 yards. Alexander, perhaps shocked from how easily Commons had sight of goal was somehow beaten at his near post from the low shot. Too slow getting down, it was not the sort of shot you would expect to beat him or any international goalkeeper.
Stoke was unable to believe their luck. The fans let out a hearty Delilah, Ninian was quiet for the first time with City were visibly shaken by the goal. Stoke suddenly sniffed the chance of improbable win from a game in which they had generally been outplayed.
For 10 minutes, it was a little ominous as Stoke took over, the demons of that play-off home defeat were in everyone’s minds. Earnie and Robbo had more shots blocked and Robbo in particular continued to take the fight to The Potters, at one stage wrestling with a Stoke defender challenging for the ball, throwing him to the ball and squaring up to him. Brilliant entertainment sending out the right message to fans and his team-mates.
Stoke sent over some very threatening crosses, Bonner blocked an effort and Gary Croft, arguably having his best 45 minutes of the season in the opening half was now having a ‘mare. His distribution dropped and he hit a couple of horrendous back-passes, one looked odds-on to be intercepted by Akinbiyi, only smart Alexander reactions racing out to boot away saved the day.
Stoke won a couple of corners too but it proved their undoing as in less than 10 seconds, a Stoke set-piece threat in Cardiff’s penalty box turned into a lightning fast three man break and goal for Cardiff, clinical and a fantastic goal in its own rights.
Commons underhit a corner that Kav brought away from the edge of City’s box. As he skipped a challenge, the whole pitch suddenly opened before him. Kavs knocked the ball ahead into space for John Robinson who turned and raced into Stoke’s half. As he did Earnie shook himself clear of his marker and, incredibly, Danny Gabbidon was over-lapping him bursting from deep inside City’s area and giving City a three on one break. Robinson delivered the perfect low pass directly into EARNIE’s path, his first time edge of area finish was precision and deadly, a low drive across De Goey and smack inside his furthest post. It could not possibly have been more accurate.
An outstanding move and finish celebrated wildly all around the ground and in separate areas of the pitch. Half the team ran to congratulate the somersaulting Earnie in front of the Bob Bank, the other half congratulated Kavs who stood and saluted the Grandstand. 19 City appearences this season and 19 goals and Earnie’s 20th including one for Wales leaves him way out in front as the division’s and country’s leading scorer. An incredible strike rate, especially in the modern game.
This time, there was no way back for Stoke. City dominated to the final whistle and showed a gulf between the sides. The spine of the team with Gabbi-Vidmar, Kavs and Earnie in imperious form all season means we will never go far wrong but, today, the balance looked fantastic too. Croft and Barker had worrying moments but, overall, did well, John Robinson is the heartbeat and energy of the team buy Julian Gray added skill that had the crowd purring. One run made him look like a bullfighter as three defenders flew in to tackle him but Gray swerved past them all in different directions. His movement of foot according to one City elder was better than Fred Astaire’s.
Earnie’s game was outstanding, his all round play marks him as the best striker in this division and it’s getting hard to argue there’s many, if any, better strikers in the country. The one disappointment is that Gavin Gordon again failed to deliver the goods. It’s a shame but he doesn’t quite look the part at this level and with Peter Thorne probably fit by City’s next game and Alan Lee about to restart training, his last chance may have just passed him by. Gavin wins plenty of ball 30 to 40 yards head, has good touches but genuinely lacks presence in and around the penalty area. His header at Coventry was magnificent but it proved to be a rarity.
The score could have gone to 4-1 or 5-1 as Gordon, Earnie, Gabbidon and Langley (on as a late sub for the tiring Gray after his first league start in almost 7 months) all had more shots blocked, Kav stung De Goey’s hands from 30 yards. In the event, it was 3-1 as Kav sent a corner over, Barker rose highest and headed at goal. Surprise, surprise, a Stoke defender blocked that too but, for once, it ran our way as it found DANNY GABBIDON loose in front of goal who turned and smashed home low from 6 yards for his first City goal since a home cracker against back in March 2002. Gabbidon, playing a debut d.j. set at Mill Lane’s Moloko Bar later in the evening should his house style by ‘d.j. like’ clutching imaginary headphones to his hear and spinning an imaginary record deck. Ah well, makes a change from footballers loving Phil Collins!
The final 10 minutes were running down the clock. Stoke had half-hearted efforts by Hill and Noel-Williams only bothering the back of the Grange End, Cardiff had yet more efforts blocked. Willie Boland replaced Mark Bonner but City finished Harlem Globetrotters-style with 20 or more pass move involving almost every player as the ground “olay-ed” them before Earnie unleashed an angled drive across goal that the onrushing Gary Croft met at the far post. De Goey just about stopped the ball crossing his line but was saved by an offside flag anyway. A superb way to finish a superb game.
The tannoy blared “Three is the Magic Number” as Cardiff hit three or more goals at home for the fifth time in eight First Division matches this season. They went off eventually to a standing ovation, Sam on the pitch congratulating every player for a job superbly done (we’ll forget about that 10 minute hiccup now!).
Other results were reasonable as City – joint highest scorers, the best goal difference, unbeaten in six, played more away than home – jumped to 8th with a game in hand on most above them and lie just one point off the Premiership play-offs. The buzz afterwards was immense, there is so much excitement about the place and a belief we can only go higher. Yes, fans were openly talking about a possible Premiership challenge, caught up in the fever and fervour but after a display like today, anything is possible.
Anything except relegation perhaps as consolidation seems a formality with Cardiff having already collected substantially more than half the points needed for survival in just 17 games at this level. Who would have believed that in August? Instead, we can talk about players just about to return which will make us even better and Sam and Lennie surely set to strengthen if City remain in a challenging position at Xmas.
Truly the stuff of dreams and if we thought the day couldn’t possibly get any better, how wrong we were. I give you Portsmouth 6 (that’s SIX) Bottom of the Premiership Leeds United 1. Stoke and Leeds truly stuffed – now that is a perfect day!
Report from FootyMad
Two brilliant goals from the division's leading scorer, Robert Earnshaw and a late strike from fellow Welsh international Danny Gabbidon fired the Bluebirds to a deserved victory.
Earnshaw opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a 30-yard volley that had Stoke keeper Ed de Goey floundering.
Stoke equalised against the run of play before Earnshaw popped up in the 70th minute to slot beyond the diving de Goey after the visitors' defence had been opened up by skipper Graham Kavanagh.
Ten minutes later the points were sealed when Stoke failed to clear a corner and Gabbidon made no mistake with his first goal of the season.
Earnshaw was very pleased with his double particularly as he now leaves to join the Wales squad for their Euro 2004 play-off in Russia.
"My first goal was definitely the best I have scored this season.
"We were disappointed to give them an equaliser but we were always confident we would come through and win.
"My second goal was a team effort as it came from a Stoke corner.
"It's good to leave on international duty following a win like this and also scoring a couple."Stoke Manager Tony Pulis felt that his side deserved a point after battling away for most of the game.
"I thought it was a good open game in which we played well. I have a very young side and we feel desperately disappointed to have lost, but both of Earnshaw's goals were very well taken.
"Cardiff are an experienced side who cost a lot of money but I was pleased with the way we matched them for long periods."Stoke looked as though they may hang on to a point after Kris Commons had equalised when he beat two Cardiff players on the edge of the area before firing a crisp shot just inside the right-hand post, but they reckoned without Earnshaw, who took his season's tally up to 19.
Bluebirds boss Lennie Lawrence felt that the most pleasing aspect was to come back after Stoke had equalised.
"Their goal had taken the wind out of our sails and that hasn't happened to us very often but we bounced back in fine style.
"Earnshaw's first goal was phenomenal because he hit it so early and their keeper never moved."
External reports
Western Mail
Oatcake (Stoke City website)