Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 2 Cardiff City. Match Report

Last updated : 24 December 2023 By BBC Sport

Cardiff City stunned Sheffield Wednesday with a late comeback to snatch victory at the end of a game they rarely looked like winning.

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Anthony Musaba scored his third goal in four games to give the Owls a first-half lead, cutting inside from the left and blasting the ball into the roof of the net.

Wednesday had chances to double their lead but, against the run of play in the 74th minute, Karlan Grant equalised for the visitors with an excellent low finish.

Then with two minutes left, the Owls' Akin Famewo put the ball into his own net as Cardiff substitute Kion Etete followed up on the rebound after Ollie Tanner's initial shot was saved.

It was a fortuitous win for the Bluebirds, but much-needed, lifting them up to 10th in the Championship table after losing four of their previous five games.

Wednesday, meanwhile, were devastated to lose a match they looked sure to win.

Having won three of their previous four, they remain second from bottom and six points adrift of safety.

Their resurgence under manager Danny Rohl looked destined to continue for much of this match, which had been low on quality and action until the chaotic ending.

A bobbly pitch made life difficult for the teams at Hillsborough, with chances at a premium during an untidy first half.

Bailey Cadamarteri, the 18-year-old son of former Everton striker Danny Cadamarteri, was a handful up front for the hosts, harrying opposition defenders and seeing an early shot blocked.

Wednesday were the aggressors and deserved their opening goal as Marvin Johnson found Musaba, who turned inside a despairing sliding tackle from Dimitrios Goutas and finished powerfully beyond Jak Alnwick.

Rohl's team continued on the front foot after the break, with Cadamarteri forcing Alnwick into a save with an ambitious hooked volley from a free-kick.

With an hour gone, Cardiff had offered nothing. Bulut made attacking substitutions in an attempt to lift his side, but they barely troubled Wednesday.

By contrast, the home side grew in confidence and came close to a second goal when Johnson's low shot was tipped wide by Alnwick.

But with 16 minutes remaining, out of nowhere, Cardiff equalised as Perry Ng passed to Grant, who fired a fine finish into the far bottom corner.

That goal changed the course of the game and, in the 88th minute, Cardiff snatched a winner as substitute Tanner's low shot was spilled by Cameron Dawson and, as Etete nipped in to try and score on the rebound, the ball deflected off Famewo and rolled over the line.

It was a cruel way for Wednesday to lose a game they should have won but, for Cardiff, this was a welcome - if somewhat lucky - victory which moves them back within three points of the play-off places.

Wednesday: Dawson, Palmer (Valentin 86), Diaby (Bernard 86), Famewo, Johnson, Bannan, Vaulks, Byers (Fletcher 86), Paterson, Musaba (Gassama 72), Cadamarteri

Cardiff City: Alnwick, Ng, Goutas, McGuinness, Collins, Siopis (Wintle 55’), Ralls (C), Robinson (Tanner 55’), Bowler (Etete 65’), Grant, Meite (90+1'). Subs: Rúnarsson, Romeo, Panzo, Sawyers, R. Colwill