CARDIFF CITY suffered a Modern Day Greek Tragedy. After doing the hard work and fighting back from behind to take control against faltering Championship leaders Wolves, 3 points were on their way back to South Wales until on loan debutant goalkeeper Dimitri Konstantopoulos suffered the howler of all howlers by dropping a cross over his goalline leaving City to settle for a 2-2 draw when they deserved more.
It was another “bubble” trip and with away support also restricted, City took just 1,000 fans but with Wolves fickle following, barracking their side more than City fans were, it was Cardiff making the big noise as usual.
City were happy to be playing their first league game for 22 days and fielded a side which saw Dimi make his debut, Gyepes return to central defence after injury without having missing a league game thanks to postponements, Michael Chopra start the first game of his latest return to the club and Ross McCormack pushed wide as they lined up Konstantopoulos; McNaughton-Gyepes-Roger Johnson-Kennedy; McCormack-Rae-Ledley-Parry; Bothroyd-Chopra. As well as ex-Wolves boss Dave Jones now at City, the line up featured three ex-Wolves players in Kennedy, Gyepes and Bothroyd.
The subs bench was notable too as it contained neither a goalkeeper or Darren Purse or Eddie Johnson as it featured Burke-Comminges-Quincy-Scimeca-Whittingham.
As for Wolves, a one time runaway lead is being whittled away by the week and this draw saw them 4 points clear but with only 1 win in 10. Their starting line-up was Hennessey; Foley-Craddock-Berra-Ward; Kightly-Henry-Edwards-Jarvis; Keogh- Ebanks-Blake.
It was an opening 20 minutes to forget. Wolves blew City away with two goals in the first 8 minutes at Ninian Park earlier this season and could easily have repeated that as Dimi’s poor kicking gave a guilt edged chance to Edwards but a superb challenge from Gyepes denied him then Chops gave the ball away on the edge of the box under pressure from 4 gold shirted men, Keogh mishit when set to score and the ball came off a post.
City briefly responded, Chops shooting wide but disaster struck on 11 minutes. Jarvis, who showed well all half, sent over a good cross and EBANKS-BLAKE had no problems heading home for his 21st of the season.
Wolves showed signs of indicipline with a strongarm approach, Ebanks-Blake perhaps lucky to only get a talking for a kick out at Roger Johnson, the City man declining an offer to shake hands, such was his annoyance.
Finally, midway through the half, Cardiff finally responded and starting making an impression. As the did, Wolves fans got jittery and those 1,000 Bluebirds made all the noise. City won a couple of corners and had a half-hearted penalty appeal before a dramatic twist around the half hour.
First, Wolves really should have doubled their lead, Dimi making a superb stop to deny Keogh then Kightly fired over when looking at an empty goal. It was a miss they instantly regretted as Paul Parry got the ball wide, shot past two defenders and put it on a plate where, who was that coming over the the hill?, it was MICHAEL CHOPRA finishing with aplomb. (I haven’t used the word aplomb for ages!).
From that point onwards, Cardiff played all the football to the interval and pushed Wolves hard, the home side so lucky not to fall behind as Hennessey saved from Chops and McCormack missed connecting as the ball rolled away by a mere fraction. Cardiff were forced to reorganise as Bothroyd went off with a combo of concussion from a clash of heads and struggling to shake off a calf injury.
The game continued to be open with half chances either way but it was City showing control, quality and better focus although they would have just been relieved to get in level after an opening spell in which they could have been put out of sight.
Half-time: WOLVES 1 CARDIFF CITY 1
The 2nd half didn’t match the first half action but certainly had more drama starting with ROGER JOHNSON, who became father to a baby girl last night, celebrating with a magnificent header from a fizzing Paul Parry corner to put City ahead 4 minutes into the second half. RJ celebrated with a 'holding the baby' routine.
As the half progressed, City were a cut above their opponents but yet again will reflect on failing to put the game away and grab that elusive third goal, something they have still yet to achieve this season, the only side in the Championship not to do it either.
They worked several opening but the best two were wasted as Gavin Rae stalled in the area and was blocked while a flowing move set Paul Parry free, he rolled the ball through Hennessey’s legs but somehow a couple of inches wide too. Desperately unlucky.
Wolves used all their subs but were getting nowhere, their support had turned on them and Dimi wasn’t even tested at any time and then it happened.
9 minutes remained as Reid hit a high hanging cross but it was so close to goal that nobody bothered going for it leaving Dimi with the seemingly simple task of taking the cross under his bar. However he cocked up, no other words for it, dropped the ball behind him and a lino signalled it had crossed the line. DIMI OWN GOAL!!
The remaining minutes saw City press for a winner but they couldn’t find it and so had to settle for the point which took them back to 6th with 4 games in hand on just about everyone around them. Win them all and they’re in the automatic promotion spots, if only it was that straightforward.
Unbeaten at Wolves, Birmingham and Reading, the top three all season long, should be a matter of pride. Yet City drew with the lot of them and threw away 6 points with crazy late goals conceded. How costly could they be come May?
No time for looking back – it’s onwards and upwards facing QPR on Wednesday.
It was another “bubble” trip and with away support also restricted, City took just 1,000 fans but with Wolves fickle following, barracking their side more than City fans were, it was Cardiff making the big noise as usual.
City were happy to be playing their first league game for 22 days and fielded a side which saw Dimi make his debut, Gyepes return to central defence after injury without having missing a league game thanks to postponements, Michael Chopra start the first game of his latest return to the club and Ross McCormack pushed wide as they lined up Konstantopoulos; McNaughton-Gyepes-Roger Johnson-Kennedy; McCormack-Rae-Ledley-Parry; Bothroyd-Chopra. As well as ex-Wolves boss Dave Jones now at City, the line up featured three ex-Wolves players in Kennedy, Gyepes and Bothroyd.
The subs bench was notable too as it contained neither a goalkeeper or Darren Purse or Eddie Johnson as it featured Burke-Comminges-Quincy-Scimeca-Whittingham.
As for Wolves, a one time runaway lead is being whittled away by the week and this draw saw them 4 points clear but with only 1 win in 10. Their starting line-up was Hennessey; Foley-Craddock-Berra-Ward; Kightly-Henry-Edwards-Jarvis; Keogh- Ebanks-Blake.
It was an opening 20 minutes to forget. Wolves blew City away with two goals in the first 8 minutes at Ninian Park earlier this season and could easily have repeated that as Dimi’s poor kicking gave a guilt edged chance to Edwards but a superb challenge from Gyepes denied him then Chops gave the ball away on the edge of the box under pressure from 4 gold shirted men, Keogh mishit when set to score and the ball came off a post.
City briefly responded, Chops shooting wide but disaster struck on 11 minutes. Jarvis, who showed well all half, sent over a good cross and EBANKS-BLAKE had no problems heading home for his 21st of the season.
Wolves showed signs of indicipline with a strongarm approach, Ebanks-Blake perhaps lucky to only get a talking for a kick out at Roger Johnson, the City man declining an offer to shake hands, such was his annoyance.
Finally, midway through the half, Cardiff finally responded and starting making an impression. As the did, Wolves fans got jittery and those 1,000 Bluebirds made all the noise. City won a couple of corners and had a half-hearted penalty appeal before a dramatic twist around the half hour.
First, Wolves really should have doubled their lead, Dimi making a superb stop to deny Keogh then Kightly fired over when looking at an empty goal. It was a miss they instantly regretted as Paul Parry got the ball wide, shot past two defenders and put it on a plate where, who was that coming over the the hill?, it was MICHAEL CHOPRA finishing with aplomb. (I haven’t used the word aplomb for ages!).
From that point onwards, Cardiff played all the football to the interval and pushed Wolves hard, the home side so lucky not to fall behind as Hennessey saved from Chops and McCormack missed connecting as the ball rolled away by a mere fraction. Cardiff were forced to reorganise as Bothroyd went off with a combo of concussion from a clash of heads and struggling to shake off a calf injury.
The game continued to be open with half chances either way but it was City showing control, quality and better focus although they would have just been relieved to get in level after an opening spell in which they could have been put out of sight.
Half-time: WOLVES 1 CARDIFF CITY 1
The 2nd half didn’t match the first half action but certainly had more drama starting with ROGER JOHNSON, who became father to a baby girl last night, celebrating with a magnificent header from a fizzing Paul Parry corner to put City ahead 4 minutes into the second half. RJ celebrated with a 'holding the baby' routine.
As the half progressed, City were a cut above their opponents but yet again will reflect on failing to put the game away and grab that elusive third goal, something they have still yet to achieve this season, the only side in the Championship not to do it either.
They worked several opening but the best two were wasted as Gavin Rae stalled in the area and was blocked while a flowing move set Paul Parry free, he rolled the ball through Hennessey’s legs but somehow a couple of inches wide too. Desperately unlucky.
Wolves used all their subs but were getting nowhere, their support had turned on them and Dimi wasn’t even tested at any time and then it happened.
9 minutes remained as Reid hit a high hanging cross but it was so close to goal that nobody bothered going for it leaving Dimi with the seemingly simple task of taking the cross under his bar. However he cocked up, no other words for it, dropped the ball behind him and a lino signalled it had crossed the line. DIMI OWN GOAL!!
The remaining minutes saw City press for a winner but they couldn’t find it and so had to settle for the point which took them back to 6th with 4 games in hand on just about everyone around them. Win them all and they’re in the automatic promotion spots, if only it was that straightforward.
Unbeaten at Wolves, Birmingham and Reading, the top three all season long, should be a matter of pride. Yet City drew with the lot of them and threw away 6 points with crazy late goals conceded. How costly could they be come May?
No time for looking back – it’s onwards and upwards facing QPR on Wednesday.
C’MON CITY!!!
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