Stoke scrambled an 85th-minute own goal winner to steer themselves away from the relegation dogfight and plunge Cardiff deeper into it.
A long throw into the home box by Junior Tchamadeu caused panic in front of goal and Sam Gallagher got his head to the ball. Ben Wilmot latched onto it and from five yards turned and shot.
Cardiff goalkeeper Ethan Horvath got his foot to it but the ball ricocheted onto his defender Will Fish and went into the net to earn the visitors all three points.
Stoke moved five points clear of their hosts who are in the third relegation spot and remain a point adrift of safety with four games to go.
Both teams came out and tried to play on the front foot and the tone was set in the first minute when Stoke’s Eric Bocat made the first of many forays down the left wing and put in a cross that went right across the face of the home goal without anyone getting a touch.
Bocat was outstanding in the first half and caused problems for the Bluebirds with his pace and passing.
One sweeping pass from deep in his own half set up the best chance of the half in the fifth minute when he gave Ali Al-Hamadi a ball to chase into the Cardiff box.
Having won it, Al-Hamadi back-heeled to Bae Junho, who passed it on to Lewis Baker 10 yards out in the middle of the goal with only the keeper to beat. With five goals in his last eight games it looked odds-on Baker would score, but he snatched at the ball and lifted it well over the crossbar.
At the other end, Cardiff created early chances as well and acting skipper Callum O’Dowda flashed a 30-yard shot just wide of a post in the 11th minute.
The game was brought to a halt in the 35th minute due to a medical emergency in the Ninian Stand. Referee Michael Salisbury eventually took the players off the field and after a 17-minute break he gave each team five minutes to warm-up following their return.
Stoke came close to scoring when Jordan Thompson smashed a volley from the edge of the area into the back of Alex Robertson and onto the Cardiff bar and Perry Ng then sent a header into the side-netting for the home side from a Calum Chambers cross from the left.
Stoke boss Mark Robins brought on striker Gallagher for Al-Hamadi at the start of the second half and his opposite number Omer Riza made three substitutions between the 57th and 66th minutes to try to breathe new life into his side.
Riza threw on Isaak Davies and Rubin Colwill in the 80th minute and it was a Colwill cross two minutes later which presented Davies with a golden chance from two yards. He stuck out his left foot and managed to put the ball over rather than into the back of the net.
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...
Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...
Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...
Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...
Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...
Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...
Alex Cochrane’s superb long-range strike was enough to take League One champions Birmingham over the 100-point mark with a 1-0 win at Stevenage.The game was the perfect example of a clash of styles, Birmingham wanting to play it around, but Stevenage aiming to outwork them.Boro arguably would have been happier with their first-half showing, Jordan Roberts pulling a low shot wide of the targe...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Liverpool join race to sign attacker Jeremy Monga