Cardiff boss Omer Riza says Yousef Salech is “knocking down the door” for a first Sky Bet Championship start after the striker maintained his fine scoring form with a late equaliser against Bristol City.
Salech struck for the third time following his January move from Swedish club Sirius and, despite scoring after starting an FA Cup win at Stoke, the 23-year-old has yet to begin a league game.
“He’s putting pressure on Callum Robinson, 100 per cent,” Riza said after Salech’s 90th-minute close-range finish had secured a 1-1 Severnside derby draw for the relegation-threatened Bluebirds.
“The predicament I’ve got is we’re playing with one down the middle, and to play with two you’ve either got to play 4-4-2 or 3-5-2.
“He’ll get his chance. Callum and him have got a good relationship and they both understand that nine position is up for grabs.
“It’s pushing Callum, and Yousef is knocking down the door. I’m really happy for him and it’s a good problem that I’ve got.”
Jason Knight had headed Bristol City in front after an hour as a drab affair suddenly came to life.
Both sides had several chances before Aaron Ramsey, making his first league appearance since August 31 after hamstring trouble, found fellow substitute Cian Ashford and Salech turned in his cross.
Riza said: “It was a sublime pass. We know that’s the quality Aaron’s got.
“Aaron’s ready to play. He can’t go Saturday to Tuesday, ever. But playing Saturday to Saturday will happen.
“I thought we played quite well. We just need to be a little more threatening at times, and we made life hard for ourselves with the goal we conceded.
“To go 1-0 down and show the character to take a point is really important.
“Every point is valuable whether you’re top or bottom of the league.”
Robins boss Liam Manning was critical of having a 12.30pm kick-off time after playing fixtures last Sunday and on Wednesday night.
Manning said: “We’re hugely frustrated. I feel for the lads a little bit because they left it all out there.
“The schedule has been ridiculous. It becomes neglectful on the players when you cram in so many games.
“I’m frustrated, disappointed to concede so late. The lads were quite honest as to why, the difference away from home in the way we manage the game.
“We were relatively comfortable but the one time we switched off we got punished.”
Ange Postecoglou insisted his controversial cupped ear celebration to Tottenham fans in a 1-0 loss at Chelsea had been misinterpreted on another bad night for the Australian.Spurs slipped to a 16th defeat in the Premier League this season thanks to a 50th-minute header by Enzo Fernandez, but it only told half the story of a typically frenzied London derby.VAR was required to rule out a fine strike...
Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to tak...
David Moyes believes James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid a red card for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister as Everton were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal, which Moyes claimed should have been ruled out for offside, gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were...
Jack Grealish dedicated his goal to his late brother after scoring in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Leicester on Wednesday.The England international hit his first Premier League goal for 16 months, on his first start in the competition since last December, as City moved back into fourth with a comfortable success at the Etihad Stadium.It came on the 25th anniversary of...
David Moyes bemoaned an “offside” goal that gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Everton – but admitted James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid an early red card on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were left unhappy with decisions from referee Sam Barr...
Eddie Howe hailed Sandro Tonali’s shooting power after seeing him cap a fine display with a stunning winner to edge Newcastle into the race for Champions League qualification.The 24-year-old Italy international brought an incident-packed encounter to a fitting conclusion with a 74th-minute piledriver which beat goalkeeper Mark Flekken from an improbable angle to hand the Magpies a precious 2...
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery believes Marcus Rashford is “progressively getting better” in all aspects of his game following his first Premier League goal for the club.The on-loan Manchester United forward set Villa on course for a comprehensive 3-0 win over fellow European hopefuls Brighton with a 51st-minute finish at the Amex Stadium.Rashford’s milestone strike came three days ...
Southampton boss Ivan Juric vowed to keep fighting as relegation moved sharply into focus after Crystal Palace denied them only a third Premier League win of the season.Substitute Matheus Franca’s stoppage-time header, to secure a 1-1 draw for the Eagles, means Saints will be down at the weekend if they lose at Tottenham and Wolves beat Ipswich.If relegation is confirmed on Sunday, Southampt...
Derby boss John Eustace insists his side are reaping the rewards for the hard work they have put in since he was appointed as manager after the Rams earned a 2-0 win over Preston to climb out of the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone.Derby came out firing after a lacklustre opening period and Craig Forsyth coolly slotted the hosts in front with his fourth goal of the season.The Rams doubled thei...
Notts County manager Stuart Maynard hailed a “massive” three points as his side comfortably saw off MK Dons at Meadow Lane to maintain their promotion challenge.Two stunning strikes from David McGoldrick and Will Jarvis from the edge of the box, either side of Nick Tsaroulla’s close-range effort, earned County a convincing 3-0 win.“I think every three points is massive now,...
- 1 Hot WAG flaunts 'astonishing' washboard abs in bikini
- 2 Danny Rohl hails Sheffield Wednesday resilience in draw at Cardiff
- 3 Alfie May double sends Birmingham step closer to Championship
- 4 Marcus Rashford scores first Premier League goal for Villa in win at Brighton
- 5 Ryan Lowe and Conor Hourihane felt team deserved more as Wigan and Barnsley draw
- 6 Mat Sadler hails Taylor Allen set-piece skills after Walsall snatch draw
- 7 Chris Davies says Alfie May’s goal drought never concerned him
- 8 Football fan 'eats' raw pig's head in ultimate insult
- 9 Marcus Rashford still looking to improve after firing Villa into FA Cup semis
- 10 Chelsea prepare €70m for Barcelona defender