Cardiff City’s run to the automatic Premier League promotion spot has been given a revival after a 2-0 win away against Norwich City.
Late goals from Kenneth Zohore in the 87th minute added by Junior Hoillet’s added time strike proved enough to provisionally overtake Fulham to the second spot.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: @NorwichCityFC vs. #CardiffCity!
3️⃣ changes to the starting XI – @DamourLoic, Craig Bryson & Gary Madine come in!#CityAsOne 🔵⚽️🔵⚽️ pic.twitter.com/YIpPxG768T
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) April 14, 2018
The match was gritty overall, with chances coming in at a premium.
The Philippines’ gatekeeper Neil Etheridge was called into action ten minutes early in the game as he saved a shot from Srbeny.
Norwich came close in the 33rd minute as Srbeny once again with a shot which was denied by the post.
A few chances came in the way from both sides, but nothing really promising came about as the match headed into the interval with both sides goalless.
HALF-TIME: @NorwichCityFC 0-0 #CardiffCity!
All square at the break! #CityAsOne 🔵⚽️🔵⚽️ pic.twitter.com/mOvPqI1uYM
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) April 14, 2018
Come the restart, the visitors went close with Madine connecting with Junior Hoilett’s free-kick but his header just flew wide of the post.
At the 75th minute Neil Etheridge once again was called to duty as he saved an attempt from Josh Murphy.
75 – @Neil38Etheridge saves well from Murphy. (0-0)
Matchday Live 👉 https://t.co/OEAwKCeJKr#CityAsOne 🔵⚽️🔵⚽️
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) April 14, 2018
But the breakthrough came for the visiting Cardiff City FC in the 87th minute with Kenneth Zohore scoring the goal.
87 – Huge goal! Gunn saves @kzohore's header but he follows up and slots in! (0-1)
Matchday Live 👉 https://t.co/OEAwKCeJKr#CityAsOne 🔵⚽️🔵⚽️ https://t.co/7mWQFdoEyN
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) April 14, 2018
It’s not yet the end though as an insurance goal came just in the second minute of added time as Junior Hoilett notched the second goal for Cardiff from a well taken strike to make it 2-0 at the final whistle.
90+2 – GOAL!!!!!! @jnrhoilett!!!!! (0-2)
Matchday Live 👉 https://t.co/OEAwKCeJKr#CityAsOne 🔵⚽️🔵⚽️ pic.twitter.com/7eJkX3WZO8
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) April 14, 2018
The win puts Cardiff temporarily in second place of the table with a game in hand but Fulham can regain second place once again if they win their match which will kick-off a little later (as of this writing).
The Bluebirds will next host Nottingham Forest on 22 April at 2:45 AM Manila Time.
Great bounce back! 3 points and a clean sheet! We go right to the end! Great travelling support! Thanks to everyone who travelled all that way! #cardiff #cardiffcityfc #bluebirds #cityasone #football #championship #cleansheet #goalkeeper #win #bounceback pic.twitter.com/jZjPFE5pb4
— Neil Etheridge (@Neil38Etheridge) April 14, 2018