Cardiff substitute Yakou Meite scored with his first touch to give relegation-threatened Bluebirds a priceless 2-1 win at Blackburn.
The visitors came into the game on a run of three consecutive defeats but made a flying start through Yousef Salech’s fourth-minute header.
Yuki Ohashi levelled in the 16th minute and it stayed that way until Meite, who had been on the field for barely a minute, expertly headed home his second goal of the season 17 minutes from time.
There was confusion at the death when Rovers were awarded a penalty but it was rightly overturned and Cardiff keep themselves out of the bottom three with only their second away win of the campaign.
Blackburn’s play-off hopes are fading fast. They are winless in five and are still waiting for their first win under Valerien Ismael.
Cardiff were ahead early on and it was all too easy as Sivert Mannsverk was given time and space to measure a right-wing cross for the unmarked Salech who planted his header into the left corner.
Rovers responded with an equaliser that owed much to Tyrhys Dolan’s tenacity and Emmanuel Dennis’ near-post cross was powerfully headed beyond Ethan Horvath by Ohashi.
Buoyed by the leveller, Blackburn pushed on and created an opportunity just after the half hour but Makhtar Gueye headed over.
Cardiff were indebted to their goalkeeper for maintaining parity in first-half stoppage time when Horvath produced a stunning, one-handed save to repel Sondre Tronstad’s powerful drive.
The visitors’ top scorer Callum Robinson was wasteful at the start of the second half, curling wide from a good position, but Rovers were the ones cranking up the pressure after the interval, with Gueye’s shot deflected wide.
Dolan went close in the 65th minute, beautifully controlling the ball before turning inside Will Fish but he curled just beyond the far post.
Cardiff substitute Will Alves went even closer moments later, spinning away from two Blackburn players before whipping a shot just beyond the left upright.
They made no mistake in the 73rd minute though and Alves was involved again, sending a searching left-wing cross into the area which was met by Meite who got across his marker to glance a header past Aynsley Pears with his first touch of the game.
Blackburn were shellshocked and their pain ought to have been compounded six minutes from time when Pears denied Alves and the ball fell to Meite but the forward’s shot was cleared off the line by Hayden Carter.
The hosts thought they had a late reprieve when Gueye went down in the area and a penalty was awarded, but the assistant referee overturned, and Cardiff registered a vital win.
[(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...
