A late header by centre-back Dimitrios Goutas earned Cardiff a narrow 1-0 Championship victory in a dire encounter against struggling Millwall.
Greece international Goutas pounced direct from a corner in the 78th minute to seal three points the Bluebirds scarcely deserved.
An encounter dreadfully low on quality looked destined to end goalless, before a brief spell of pressure in the closing stages swung it in the Bluebirds’ favour.
It was a grim afternoon for Millwall who now have just one win in their last 10 league games and are sinking into a Championship relegation battle under boss Joe Edwards, who replaced the sacked Gary Rowett in October.
Neither side went into the game with any momentum, the hosts having lost their previous two matches against Southampton and West Brom, and Millwall with one win in their last nine.
The first half typified their respective struggles. It was desperately low on quality and meaningful attacking play at either end.
A strong swirling wind did not help the fluency, but poor passing and aimless defensive clearances characterised some frustrating fare.
Millwall had the better of the territory and possession in the opening 45 minutes, yet Bluebirds goalkeeper Alex Runarsson was not tested at all.
Josh Bowler, operating on the right of the Cardiff midfield, produced some promising moments for the home side that fizzled out before seriously troubling defenders.
There were 42 minutes on the clock when Millwall midfielder Ryan Leonard produced the first shot of the game – which posed more of a threat to the corner flag than the back of the Cardiff net.
It marked the start of a mini-purple patch for the visitors just before the interval and striker Kevin Nisbet should have done better when a low Leonard cross found him in space eight yards out.
Millwall began the second half with more urgency and the pace of Brooke Norton-Cuffy on the right flank gave Cardiff some uncomfortable moments.
Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut had brought on striker Yaku Meite and Wales midfielder Rubin Colwill at the break but his attempt to shake up his lethargic side looked to be floundering.
Millwall built pressure up the hour mark and when Nisbet flashed a direct free-kick just wide in the 56th minute, there was a sense a Lions breakthrough might be imminent.
Instead it was Cardiff who fashioned the first gilt-edged chance of the game.
It fell to Meite 15 yards out after Colwill squared, but the Ivory Coast international’s effort lacked conviction and was straight at the body of Matija Sarkic in the Millwall goal.
Cardiff began to show some long overdue urgency going into the final 20 minutes and finally broke the deadlock through the head of Goutas.
His effort found the net via the hand of Sarkic and was not a goal for the purists but it proved enough to earn maximum points for the hosts.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
