Carling Cup Round 2 report: Peterbough United 2 CARDIFF CITY 1

Forty Four years after both sides were losing League Cup semi-finalists and 8 months on from THAT 4-4 draw, Cardiff City suffered another second half collapse at London Road to crash out of the Carling Cup.

Two-one was the final score with Cardiff failing to capitalise on a one sided first half having only Jay Bothroyd’s 5^th goal of the season to show for total domination and they regretted that as the tide turned 2^nd half and Cardiff’s defence cracked badly to allow Mackail-Smith (74) and Boyd (87) to take Posh into Round 3.

This season is surely all about the League only but the Carling Cup has taken Cardiff to Anfield and Villa Park in the last couple of years, useful money spinners. However plans were rocked before the game with news that Blake and Chopra could be out injured for a while, McNaughton was injured too whilst Craig Bellamy did not travel. Ross McCormack was apparently at the game but, on the verge of being sold to Leeds United, he was not involved.

However the line-up and front six was still strong enough as Cardiff played 4-5-1 with Heaton; Matthews-Hudson-Gerrard-Naylor; Burke-Koumas-Olifinjana-Drinkwater-Whittingham; Bothroyd. It was a team that should have done the job and seen City through.

Peterborough have started the season well enough in the quest to bounce back into the Championship after May’s relegation with three high scoring win and one high scoring defeat but were under the cosh from the off in front of just 3,800 fans, three hundred from South Wales.

City had chance after chance but, somehow, never really extended Joe Lewis in goals as moves were too elaborate or the finishing wasn’t as smart as the set ups. Koumas (twice), Bothroyd (twice), Drinkwater (twice) and Burke were all guilty of not taking advantage of good openings but after enough warnings, Cardiff grabbed the lead just past the half hour. The impressive Jason Koumas advanced smartly down the right and his far post ball was powerful headed home by JAY BOTHROYD.

Shortly afterwards, Seyi Olifinajana went off – hopefully no more than a precaution – and Steve McPhail came on immediately having two clear chances himself but failing to take them. City should have been out of sight by the interval, their failure to do so cost them.

H/T: POSH 0 CITY 1

If the first half was all about Cardiff, it was almost the reverse story after the break with Tom Heaton having to make two excellent early saves and City on the back foot.

However they seemed to be surviving the storm although rarely threatening to get the killer second goal which always encouraged the hosts and it all went wrong with 16 minutes to go as clever interplay played in McKail-Smith with finished with style.

Game on and Cardiff should still have won it as the ref failed to award a penalty as Jay Bothroyd was pulled back inside the area then Burke wasted a one on one type opportunity.

Extra-time beckoned which was unwelcome but City were saved the extra half hour as BOYD crashed home a wonderful winner.

Both goals conceded came from shambolic defending with City’s centre halves at fault. If it acts as a reminder to Jones how me must bring in strength at the back, maybe it will have done Cardiff some good.

A poor result, a bad defeat and questions to be answered. However Portsmouth away this Saturday is the one that really matters to the club and the fans, let’s hope lessons are learned from this needless loss.