CARDIFF CITY had to accept a good point against a Burnley side in recent imperious form with a 2-2 draw at Turf Moor but will still feel that they should have taken all three points in front of 11,240 frozen fans including 300 City followers as they proved themselves to be the better side overall.
Dave Jones' side, deprived of the injured McCormack but with Bothroyd and Kennedy recovered from weekend knocks, was that which performed the Preston demolition last Saturday. Tony Capaldi travelled with the team but fit again Eddie Johnson was added to the 16 on the bench.
CITY: Enckleman; McNaughton-Johnson-Gypes-Kennedy; Routledge-Rae-Ledley-Parry; Bothroyd-Chopra.
The game had a lively and entertaining opening with City looking sharp and having the better of things but disaster hit on 13 minutes as Patterson turned Gypes, his shot was saved by Enckleman but ROBBIE BLAKE snapped up the loose ball.
The Clarets were buoyant and put City under the cosh but The Bluebirds survived and soon took the game to the hosts having shots and corners but grabbing a deserved reward on 25 minutes with Paul Parry breaking through, his effort was blocked by Jensen and there was BOTHROYD to snap up and turn home the rebound.
From this point and the rest of the half, it was all City as they dominated, pressured, won corners, had shots and went close with Bothroyd leading the line magnificently but the main talking point came right at the interval as Routledge was felled by Wade Elliott who seemed to react and put his knee into Elliott's face. It was enormous relief, and a likely let off, that he was only booked as was Elliott but the half-time whistle blew with the otherwise silenced Burnley following booing or chanting "you don't know what you're doing" to the ref.
If Burnley felt an injustice at Routledge not being red carded, it was doubly so straight after the restart as The Clarets came out slowly and City, after gong close once, scored within 75 seconds. This time, Bothroyd got away, his shot was parried and for the third time, a goal was scored on the rebound as ROUTLEDGE pounced for his second goal on loan.
The game evened, Burnley trying to press but City coping while also showing danger on the counter-attack but not quite finishing it although Chopra had one disallowed. The Clarets responded by bringing on Thommo with City fans shouting for him to ayatollah.
With less than 20 to go, City had to make a change themselves after Jay Bothroyd limped away from a man of the match role forcing Dave Jones to turn to Eddie Johnson but another twist came with 13 minutes remaining as, for the fourth time, a shot was saved (this time by Enckleman) and, of all players, THOMMO reacted and his shot went in appearing to hit a post and catch Roger Johnson slipping trying to clear as the pitch froze up.
It set it up for a big finish but it just never came, both side settled for the third high scoring draw at Turf Moor in 4 seasons joining two previous 3-3 clashes.
Other results meant City stayed in 6th spot but I'm sure they and the fans will be travelling home reflect on an acceptable point against a side beating all comers recently including Arsenal and Chelsea and who had gone 9 hours without conceding at home until tonight but feeling their domination for the larger part of the game should have brought them all three.
Dave Jones' side, deprived of the injured McCormack but with Bothroyd and Kennedy recovered from weekend knocks, was that which performed the Preston demolition last Saturday. Tony Capaldi travelled with the team but fit again Eddie Johnson was added to the 16 on the bench.
CITY: Enckleman; McNaughton-Johnson-Gypes-Kennedy; Routledge-Rae-Ledley-Parry; Bothroyd-Chopra.
The game had a lively and entertaining opening with City looking sharp and having the better of things but disaster hit on 13 minutes as Patterson turned Gypes, his shot was saved by Enckleman but ROBBIE BLAKE snapped up the loose ball.
The Clarets were buoyant and put City under the cosh but The Bluebirds survived and soon took the game to the hosts having shots and corners but grabbing a deserved reward on 25 minutes with Paul Parry breaking through, his effort was blocked by Jensen and there was BOTHROYD to snap up and turn home the rebound.
From this point and the rest of the half, it was all City as they dominated, pressured, won corners, had shots and went close with Bothroyd leading the line magnificently but the main talking point came right at the interval as Routledge was felled by Wade Elliott who seemed to react and put his knee into Elliott's face. It was enormous relief, and a likely let off, that he was only booked as was Elliott but the half-time whistle blew with the otherwise silenced Burnley following booing or chanting "you don't know what you're doing" to the ref.
If Burnley felt an injustice at Routledge not being red carded, it was doubly so straight after the restart as The Clarets came out slowly and City, after gong close once, scored within 75 seconds. This time, Bothroyd got away, his shot was parried and for the third time, a goal was scored on the rebound as ROUTLEDGE pounced for his second goal on loan.
The game evened, Burnley trying to press but City coping while also showing danger on the counter-attack but not quite finishing it although Chopra had one disallowed. The Clarets responded by bringing on Thommo with City fans shouting for him to ayatollah.
With less than 20 to go, City had to make a change themselves after Jay Bothroyd limped away from a man of the match role forcing Dave Jones to turn to Eddie Johnson but another twist came with 13 minutes remaining as, for the fourth time, a shot was saved (this time by Enckleman) and, of all players, THOMMO reacted and his shot went in appearing to hit a post and catch Roger Johnson slipping trying to clear as the pitch froze up.
It set it up for a big finish but it just never came, both side settled for the third high scoring draw at Turf Moor in 4 seasons joining two previous 3-3 clashes.
Other results meant City stayed in 6th spot but I'm sure they and the fans will be travelling home reflect on an acceptable point against a side beating all comers recently including Arsenal and Chelsea and who had gone 9 hours without conceding at home until tonight but feeling their domination for the larger part of the game should have brought them all three.
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