Cardiff City travelled from one end of the country to the opposite side through floods, delays and arrived in bitter, freezing conditions but were in red hot form and produced a fantastic 2-1 win at Ipswich who hadn't lost at home since the opening month of the season. It was also Cardiff's first win in 62 years at Portman Road ... and we got promoted that season ... although this was only City's 13th visit there in all of that time.
The Bluebirds were able to name an unchanged side as Jay Bothroyd recovered from knee ligament problem which forced him off in the midweek draw at Burnley while Dave Jones did the right thing by placing the available again skipper Steve McPhail on the bench as Gavin Rae and Joe Ledley had shown outstanding form in central midfield.
CITY: Enckleman; McNaughton-Johnson-Gypes-Kennedy; Routledge-Rae-Ledley-Parry; Bothroyd-Chopra.
The Suffolk side were feeling the pressure despite being only 3 points behind City and the play-offs as their form has been inconsistent but hit a low as they were pulverised in a 2-0 loss against sworn enemies and rivals Norwich City last week. A midweek victory over Bristol City barely redeemed that and this setback, when they were second best throughout, will intensify the mood on the East Coast.
The game opened up with a high tempo and City establishing themselves strongly. They also had the game's first real chance on 5 minutes as Ledley, Bothroyd and Parry all combined perfectly to carve an opening but Chop's angled shot lacked the power and direction.
However they kept pushing as got their reward with a fantastic goal on 9 minutes as Paul Parry sent over a fantastic first time cross, Routledge was found and when he looked set to shoot, he set up BOTHROYD instead to score his 2nd goal of the week.
Ipswich responded and looked a good attacking side themselves, a just wide and a fantastic last gasp Roger Johnson intervention kept them at bay but the better football continued to come from City, Chopra finding space and another smart move put Gavin Rae in but, in Gavin Rae style, he put wide of target.
The home side won a couple of corners but City had the game's next best chance too. Just after Bothroyd had fingers taped together, joining Ledley in the fingers bonded dept, and his shirt changed due to bleeding, Chopra intercepted a poor back pass, drew and rounded keeper Richard Wright but his shot was blocked on the line brilliantly by McCauley who crashed into the post and resumed limping due to the collision.
City's general dominance was hurting the home side and at lasted they made it count and doubled their lead on 25 minutes. Jay Bothroyd was fouled by McCauley but it was temporary relief as Paul Parry's cross perfectly found GABOR GYPES and the Hungarian netted his first Cardiff City goal.
The Tractor Boys were making what sounded like Tractor engine noises but it turned out to be them booing their own side as the pressure increased but City were delat a blow as Michael Chopra was caught in a foul suffered an injury that would see him eventually limp out for Eddie Johnson. Chopra was distraught as it did seem to be the first game where he was showing himself at his best but, before he left, before Roger Johnson and Gabor Gypes combined from another cross and almost scored again.
With City in full control and the interval cuppa in sight as the home side looked despondent and had their own fans on their backs, they allowed Ipswich back into it as former Welsh international Ben Thatcher burst through two tackles, found Wrexham reject turned prospect Jon Walters and his cross was nodded home by JON STEAD. Cardiff almost countered from kick off as Eddie Johnson surged past 2 players but fouled on the way.
Cardiff went in feeling hugely satisfied with their first half display and leading but know it should have been by more than one goal. You also wondered if they had bad omens - 3 times in the last 4 games they'd been leading 2-1 in the 2nd half and ended up drawing the lot and it was that same score again. They knew they needed another to give them breathing space but had yet to score three goals in any game all season.
Half-time: Ipswich Town 1 Cardiff City 2
Despite the loss of Chopra, it was City who continued to have the better of it and make the chances. Eddie Johnson and Routledge went close, Roger Johnson headed wide but the best moment saw Jay Bothroyd's superb header met by an equally superb save by Richard Wright then Bothroyd got behind the defence but fired over as the ball dropped with McCauley taking the player out moments afterwards.
While City couldn't take a number of half chances and opportunities, the advantage increased significantly in their favour as England Under 21 turned Wales senior international Ben Thatcher was red carded for two fouls on Wayne Rouledge after his personal foul count appeared to be closing in on double figures. Ipswich responded by removing both strikers but introducing new forwards in Kevin Lisbie and Danny Haynes.
City were using the extra man advantage well, keeping Parry and Routledge wide and spreading play well whilst snuffing any forays by the home side. However, opportunities were now at a premium and the game entered the final 10 minutes with only one chance for Cardiff as Routledge dissected three defenders to put Parry in space but, after cutting inside, his effort was blocked for an unproductive corner with muffled shouts for a penalty.
The Bluebirds should have been home and comfortable but the single goal advantage always gave the home side the desire to keep fighting and had their best moment as the lively Danny Haynes went wide of Kennedy but Enckleman responded to save well to a near post effort with 8 minutes remaining. Dave Jones decided it was time for change and subbed the sub as Eddie Johnson was removed but for tactical reasons as City brought on Steve McPhail and went 4-5-1 matching the home side who were flooding their midfield trying to save the game.
The closing stages were as tense as tense could be, four minutes added time made it even worse but, even if it didn't feel like it, Cardiff played it out very comfortably, measured and controlled. A fantastic result that will send City's players away to their Christmas Party tonight in buoyant mood.
It's been a superb week in which City collected 7 points against play-off rivals Preston, Burnley and Ipswich with two of those games away and it should have been all 9. Halfway through the season and City find themselves off the searing pace of the Championship's leader but in 5th spot with 37 points and getting stronger. Better still when the Jacks have slumped to mid-table and the Wurzles are sinking, a beautiful day, a beautiful sight.
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