Cardiff City got what they needed most yesterday against Portsmouth all three points putting the Bluebirds back in the drivers seat for automatic promotion. It was a game everyone knew must end in win and the players set out to do just that.
Cardiff fans did have to wait long only until the sixth minute when midfielder Seyi Olofinjana rose and met the Craig Bellamy cross and headed the ball into the back of the net. A great start to the game that took some of the pressure out of the game for the fans. Portsmouth midfielder Ricardo Rocha helped himself to a red card following an off the ball incident with Jay Bothroyd. It didn't help is teammates much has Cardiff put on the pressure to find a second goal.
It came just before half time via the much maligned Bothroyd who scored his 19 goals of the season. It was not long ago he was getting a shed load of abuse from Cardiff fans, but he has now turned all that around to cheers. There was a bit of a melee in the visitors goalmouth and the ball found its way to Bothroyd, who than had the simplest of tap ins to score. It was not his best goal, but they all count.
Cardiff when in 2-0 up at half-time 2-0 against a poor Pompey who were a down to ten men and showed little in the first half? Cardiff City fans could feel a bit more relaxed with the scoreline and enjoy the sunshine while those listening worldwide had a smug smile on their faces.
In the second half Cardiff were cruising and you could feel from the commentary there was still a goal or two in the home side and in the 75 minute Cardiff increase the score line further. It was Craig Bellamy cross that led to the goal, he was having another blinding game he also created the first with a sublime cross again. This time it was Peter Whittingham who met the ball and thundered the ball home for an excellent goal. Has fans celebrated the goal news broke that Swansea were 2-1 down at Burnley, more happy times.
With goal different all important it was imperative a clean sheet was kept, no sneaky later goal, but the only team looking like scoring were the home team. Cardiff players walked off to cheers when on so long ago it was boo's, but things change so quickly in football. Cardiff moved back to second one point ahead of third place Norwich. Reading are in fourth just three points behind Cardiff while Swansea drop to fifth, five points adrift of the Bluebirds. The fixtures for next week are crazy, see below
Thursday, 21 April Ipswich Town v Norwich City, 19:45
Friday, 22 April - Nottingham Forest v Leicester City, 17:15 (live on Sky Sports 1)
Friday, 22 April - Leeds United v Reading, 19:45 (live on Sky Sports 1)
Saturday, 23 April - Cardiff v Queens Park Rangers, 12:45 (live on BBC)
Saturday, 23 April - Portsmouth v Swansea City, 15:00
With a full fixture list in the Championship on Bank Holiday Monday the game involving Cardiff rivals in the promotion race are spread over three days. Norwich travel to Ipswich on Thursday night for the East Anglian derby giving them three days to rest up before Monday. Leeds face Reading on Friday night while Cardiff and Swansea kick off on Saturday.
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