A stunning Josh Bowler strike two minutes before half-time gave Cardiff a 1-0 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.
Bowler held off one Watford player, cut inside another and sent a delightful curler beyond the outstretched hand of Ben Hamer and into the far corner.
The result means that in the past 14 meetings between these teams, only two have been won by the home side.
While Erol Bulut’s Cardiff looked assured throughout, Watford are beginning to look like a team lacking the attacking flair to force their way into the Championship play-off positions.
The match gathered momentum as the first half progressed. After a quiet opening 20 minutes, 19-year-old full-back Ryan Andrews almost sliced the perfect pass through the Cardiff defence only for Vakoun Bayo to be squeezed out of room.
At the other end, Bowler thudded a shot into the advertising hoardings in what was effectively a sighter for his fine strike later in the half.
Andrews then brought a full-length save out of Cardiff goalkeeper Jak Alnwick before Watford’s patient approach almost earned its reward in the 27th minute.
Ismael Kone sent in a diagonal cross which was headed back across the area by Jamal Lewis for Yaser Asprilla to force Alnwick into a save with his legs.
The impressive Andrews then took it upon himself to try and give his side the lead six minutes before the interval, opening up his body to attempt a driven lob over Alnwick, which the keeper managed to tip over the bar.
The opening goal arrived three minutes later with Bowler’s superb effort.
Cardiff had been largely passive in the first period, but they began the second forcing Watford back as they searched for a second goal.
Rubin Colwill was always ready to run at defenders, with one forcing a free-kick from which Perry Ng curled narrowly wide.
Watford, by contrast, had lost any first-half impetus. That was until a Lewis cross just before the hour was steered against the outside of the post by Kone.
Sensing the moment, Watford manager Valerien Ismael made a triple substitution and pressure increased on the Cardiff goal in the final half-hour.
Asprilla and substitute Emmanuel Dennis shot over the crossbar, Wesley Hoedt saw an effort deflected into the side netting while Tom Dele-Bashiru was denied by a flying Alnwick save.
A succession of goalmouth scrambles preceded the final whistle which was greeted by a chorus of boos from home supporters as Cardiff held on.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Chelsea v PSG before Chelsea Now Nuno Mendes VS Chelsea Andrea Berta on Fire Who !? After carrying the country for years, they finally picked Messi up PSG went 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝 in the Club World Cup final Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, BleacherReportFootball)...
Ben Doak could leave Liverpool this summer if their £25m valuation is metNottingham Forest have joined the race for Ben Doak after registering their interest in the Liverpool teenager. Doak was a revelation on loan at Middlesbrough last season, scoring three goals and racking up seven assists in the Championship. And his performances have caught the attention of Forest, who have cash to burn ...
Manchester United could snap up Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig this summer.Manchester United are said to be in talks to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB LeipzigManchester United are reportedly in talks to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig this summer. The 22-year-old striker agreed terms with Arsenal earlier this summer, but the Gunners made a transfer U-turn after Leipzig’s asking price rose t...
Reports from Portugal suggest Viktor Gyokeres' long floated move from Sporting CP to Arsenal could be in danger of completely collapsing.Parties cannot align terms for add-ons in deal Initial fee of €70m + €10m of conditional agreed Long-running saga continues to drag onWHAT HAPPENED?A report by Portuguese newspaper Record, suggests the summer's longest-running transfer saga shows no s...
Ex-Liverpool star Oxlade-Chamberlain's Besiktas deal torn upEx-Arsenal and Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's deal with Besiktas has been terminated, setting up the player's return to the Premier League.As per Yeni Safak, Besiktas have terminated Oxlade-Chamberlain's deal, as he was informed he would not be part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans going forward. The midfielder struggled with inj...
Cristhian Mosquera Arsenal 2025Cristhian Mosquera has said goodbye to his Valencia team-mates ahead of his move to Arsenal, and also spoke about his sadness in leaving Los Che.WHAT HAPPENED?The 21-year-old reported to Valencia's Paterna training ground along with his team-mates, but rather than participate in pre-season, he was there to say his goodbyes. Mosquera will be making the switch to north...
Manchester City FC v Manchester United FC - Premier LeagueA 20-year-old Manchester United fan has pleaded guilty to assaulting Jack Grealish by slapping the Manchester City star following April’s heated Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Alfie Holt admitted to the offence in court and has been banned from attending football matches for three years, while also receiving a fine for the incident...
AFC Ajax v Galatasaray A.S. - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD8Jordan Henderson has opened up on his departure from Ajax after the Dutch club mutually agreed to terminate his contract, allowing the former Liverpool captain to return to the Premier League with Brentford. In a heartfelt message, Henderson reflected on his 'immense pride' in representing Ajax, thanking fans and teammates fo...
Corentin TolissoManchester United are reportedly looking to make a surprise move to sign France international Corentin Tolisso from Lyon, contacting the midfielder's entourage as they look to strengthen their squad this summer. Tolisso, who impressed in Ligue 1 last season, is reportedly open to joining the Premier League giants – but the Red Devils face competition from Atletico Madrid.WHAT...
Besiktas v Istanbul Basaksehir - Turkish Super LeagueEx-Arsenal and Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's deal with Besiktas has been terminated, setting up the player's return to the Premier League. WHAT HAPPENED?As per Yeni Safak, Besiktas have terminated Oxlade-Chamberlain's deal, as he was informed he would not be part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans going forward. The midfielder struggled ...
- 1 FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Fixture schedule, group standings, knockout round, tickets, format & everything you need to know
- 2 Brooklyn Beckham's ex inspires Palmer as Chelsea crush PSG
- 3 Spurs get huge lift in Morgan Gibbs-White row
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Everton sign Villarreal striker Barry: The fans here are like crazy people, I like this!
- 6 Bayern Munich lay out terms for Luis Diaz
- 7 Rashford becomes new club's 'priority target'
- 8 Meet Christian Norgaard's gorgeous wife
- 9 Noni Madueke parties at Wireless with Jadon Sancho
- 10 Chelsea's wage offer to Jadon Sancho revealed