Cardiff caretaker manager Omer Riza was left “ecstatic” after his side’s dramatic 2-1 home win against in-form Norwich.
Borja Sainz, the division’s top scorer, hit his 11th league goal of the season to put the visitors ahead early in the second half at the Cardiff City Stadium.
But Callum Robinson came off the bench grab an 89th-minute equaliser before Callum O’Dowda’s left-footed winner deep into stoppage time.
Victory saw Cardiff extend their unbeaten run under Riza to six games and climb a further four places clear of the relegation zone.
He said: “It’s a really emotional one with the players in the changing room afterwards. It was a great comeback, a great result against a very good side. You to give the players every credit.
“We wanted to contain their wings, especially Sainz, but he got away from us in one moment to score a magic goal.
“It was tough at 1-0 but we made some changes, the boys dug in and never gave up getting back into the game.
“Given the way we came back against a top side like Norwich, I would have been happy with the draw but even then we didn’t stop driving forwards and now I’m ecstatic.”
Riza spoke with senior club officials on Friday night but there is still no decision on whether or not he will take over permanently, having stepped up following the sacking of Erol Bulut in September.
However, victories such as this will only enhance his application.
Riza added: “The situation hasn’t really changed. Things are going really well though there feels like a pressure at this moment waiting for the first loss.
“That is going to come at some point, that’s football, but it’s important everyone is still behind the team when that happens.”
This painful defeat was a first in eight games for Johannes Hoff Thorup’s injury-hit side, who slipped down to ninth place.
Striker Josh Sargent and midfielder Anis Ben Slimane were absent after joining an already hefty injury list and Thorup believes the pressure on his stretched squad ultimately cost his side.
He said: “We played a great game for the first 75 minutes and did everything right to get the three points.
“But we had a few more players missing and some guys out of position and others back after a few weeks out and that showed in the last 15 minutes.
“That’s why we needed to get that second goal to finish the game but I can’t really have asked for more from the players.
“I know we’ve lost and it’s disappointing but sometimes these games happen. Goals can come out of nothing and that’s what we’ve seen here.
“We just have to make sure these players learn from that last 15 minutes to be more solid for the next time they are in that situation.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Gyokeres, Sesko and Arsenal now Tottenham have made a bid worth £70 million for Mbeumo Inter Miami ready for FIFA Club World Cup "Arrogant" vs "Style" Guess who is he Only the real ones will understand this The top four loaned things in the world Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfoot...
Inter Milan forward Mehdi Taremi will not be able to join his teammates at the Club World Cup in the United States as he is stuck in Tehran amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.Flights from all Iranian airports have been grounded following an exchange of military strikes between Iran and Israel over the past two days.That meant the Iran international was unable to take his schedule...
WHAT HAPPENED?Manchester United have accelerated talks in the last two days as they target the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, according to a report by French outlet Foot Mercato. The Red Devils have reportedly intensified discussions with the player's agent and have made contact with the club regarding the potential terms of a deal for the Frenchman.THE BIGGER PICTUREA strike...
Viktor Gyokeres has snubbed a move to Manchester United, as per reports from Portugal.The Swedish forward was rumoured to be linking up with Old Trafford to join forces once more with ex-Sporting Lisbon gaffer Ruben Amorim. Record claims that Gyokeres has binned off the chance to don the famous Red Devils shirt, with his reps giving United the cold shoulder.Arsenal now seem to be at the front of t...
Nico Williams' private words to Yamal and Barca team-mates revealedNico Williams is doing everything in his power to join Barcelona this summer. Following his agent's meeting with Barca sporting director Deco, Williams' private conversations with Yamal and Barca team-mates within the Spain squad have now been revealed.No agreement between Como and City to sign Perrone permanentlyFabrizio Romano ha...
Viktor Gyokeres' dream destination revealed after Man United snubViktor Gyokeres reportedly has his heart set on a move to Arsenal this summer after rejected the chance to join up with Ruben Amorim at Man United.The 27-year-old is increasingly likely to leave Sporting this summer despite ongoing issues with the Portuguese champions hierarchy.Man United are understood to have made an approach but w...
Gennaro Gattuso agrees to become new Italy managerGennaro Gattuso has reportedly agreed to take over the Italy national team, replacing Luciano Spalletti after his dramatic dismissal. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 47-year-old will become the new manager of the Italy national team following Spaletti’s departure.The former Napoli manager was let go following a string of disappointing resul...
'Very self-destructive' - Luis de la Fuente hits out at Lamine Yamal criticsSpain manager Luis de la Fuente has vented his frustrations at the country's "self-destructive" tendencies after recent criticism of youngster Lamine Yamal.The 17-year-old was heavily critcised for an uncharacteristically quite showing in Spain’s penalty defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League.Yamal remains arg...
Alisson rejects chance to leave LiverpoolLiverpool goalkeeper Alisson has reportedly rejected an offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray as he seeks to play out his contract at the Premier League club.According to Florian Plettenberg, Alisson, 32, had received a ‘concrete offer’ from the Turkish giants who are set to be very active this transfer window.The Brazilian has since rejected th...
Germany v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Third Place MatchFlorian Wirtz is set to become one of the top earners at Liverpool after his stunning £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen.Van Dijk SalahWHAT HAPPENED?Accoridng to Sky Sports, the 22-year-old will earn a base salary of £195,000 a week. That could rise to more than £245,000 based on individual and team bonuses, representing a p...
- 1 Portugal vs France Prediction 12 June 2025
- 2 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck
- 3 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 4 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 5 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 6 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 7 Bonnie Blue banned from adult site as controversial stunt 'crossed the line'
- 8 Osimhen decides on Saudi move
- 9 Thomas Frank 'agrees' to take Tottenham job as Daniel Levy closes in on appointment
- 10 Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk opens up on retirement plans