by Steve Garland
Snapshot: Cardiff sealed a vital three points with a dominant 4-1 victory over Derby County in what could be the last game played under the lights at Ninian Park. Roger Johnson opened the scoring with a superbly placed header with 15 minutes gone to give City the lead going into the break.
Cardiff then doubled their lead with half an hour to go as Stephen McPhail thread through Gavin Rae who rounded the keeper and slotted home. A third quickly came as a Peter Whittingham corner caused havoc in the Derby defence and Jay Bothroyd reacted quickly to slam the ball home and seal all three points for City.
The game was won for City but they continued to push forward looking for a fourth and it came when substitute Eddie Johnson finished well to rub salt in the wounds of Nigel Clough's side. The game may have turned out differently had Derby taken their chances early on.But it took until the 90th minute for them to score through an own goal from Roger Johnson. But it was mere consolation for Derby as it was Cardiff who showed that cutting edge in front of goal all game long and deserved to come away with a convincing win.
Chronological report: As the floodlights lit up Ninian Park for one final Ninian night a bumper crowd anticipated the long awaited visit of Derby County.
And it was Nigel Clough's who made the early running and had the first chance of the game. Bobby Bannan was fouled 20 yards from goal allowing ever popular Robbie Savage an early chance to test the Cardiff defence.
Savage hit a low free-kick into the City wall causing a scramble in the box and a penalty shout for Derby. County players surrounded the referee for an apparent handball by Mark Kennedy in the area. But referee Swarbrick rightfully saw nothing of the sort.
But Derby kept fighting for the opener and their early pressure on Cardiff continued with another chance. With less than 10 minutes gone in the game Gary Teale, who was looking dangerous in the opening stages, whipped in a cross from the left that was met in the box by John Eustace. The Derby midfielder controlled well and produced an athletic volley to test City keeper Stuart Taylor for the first time in the match.
Cardiff were struggling to find their feet in the match and a sloppy Gavin Rae pass led to another chance for Derby. Gary Teale again threatened from the left wing as the former Scottish international produced another good cross that Mark Kennedy could only clear to the feet of John Eustace. But his deflected shot was saved well by City keeper Taylor.
But it was Cardiff who provided the cutting edge and took the lead mark with just 15 minutes gone. Peter Whittingham whipped in an in swinging free kick from the right t to meet a leaping Roger Johnson who superbly nodded the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net to claim his 5th goal of the season.
14 mins: Cardiff City 1 - 0 Derby County
The goal gave Cardiff the confidence they were lacking at the start of the game and were starting to look threatening. A confident Michael Chopra run tested the Derby defence, beating two men before unleashing a shot at Stephen Bywater who fumbled, but collected at the second attempt.
But Derby quickly responded with a chance of their own.Mile Sterjovski thread through former City transfer target Rob Hulse who showed good strength by shrugging off Roger Johnson. But Hulse could only manage to hit a flicked shot wide of the left hand post.
Derby may have felt that they did not deserve to be behind, but unlike the Bluebirds they failed to take their chances when they were presented to them.
After the goal few chances came along as the half petered out, with the only half chance going to Cardiff as Gavin Rae thread through Michael Chopra in the penalty area. Chop's finished well, only to look up and see the linesman had raised his flag for offside which on replay looked like a wrong decision.
Half time: Cardiff City 1 - 0 Derby County
The second half started as the first had finished with Cardiff looking comfortable with their one goal lead and Ninian Park in good voice. 18fans turned out to make the most of what possibly could be the final night match at the ground.
And after a dull start to the second half the game was brought to life by Stephen McPhail's brilliant through ball to send Gavin Rae through on goal with half an hour to go. Rae showed great composure by rounding the keeper and comfortably slotted home to double City's lead.
Cardiff City 2 - 0 Derby County
City were looking rampant now and quickly had another chance coming there way. A Peter Whittingham corner from the right caused havoc in the Derby defence who let the ball drop in the six-yard box. Jay Bothroyd was the quickest to react to the loose ball and slammed the it into the back of the net to claim his 11th goal of the season and seal three vital points for City's promotion push.
Cardiff City 3 - 0 Derby County
Dave Jones took the opportunity to rest some of his players and decided to bring Eddie Johnson on for Jay Bothroyd and Paul Parry on for Ross McCormack.
And it was not long before Cardiff added to their tally and it was that man Eddie Johnson who did it. Eddie broke clear of the Derby defence, shrugging off the challenge of Andy Todd, putting him one on one with keeper Bywater. Eddie kept his nerve and produced an excellent finish into the bottom right corner of the net. The goal was Eddies second of the season and was met with the accustom chants of 'USA, USA'.
Cardiff City 4 - 0 Derby County
City were now cruising towards another three points and Dave Jones brought on the returning Chris Burke for Peter Whittingham. Whitt's had had a good game and received a standing ovation for his efforts.
But just as Ninian Park went into celebration mode, Eddie Johnson scored an own goal to give a consolation to Derby. There was little chance for Eddie as the ball deflected off him from a scramble in the box.
Cardiff City 4 - 1 Derby County
But it was mere consolation for Derby who had been comprehensively beaten by a dominant Cardiff side who now climb above Burnley in the table and further cement their play-off place.
Final Score: Cardiff City 4 - 1 Derby County
Cardiff: Taylor, McNaughton, Gyepes, Roger Johnson, Kennedy, Rae, Whittingham (Burke 86), McPhail, McCormack (Parry 69), Bothroyd (Eddie Johnson 65), Chopra. Subs Not Used: Heaton, Comminges. Goals: Roger Johnson 16, Rae 61, Bothroyd 63, Eddie Johnson 79.
Derby: Bywater, Connolly, McEveley, Nyatanga, Albrechtsen (Todd 65), Savage, Sterjovski, Teale, Eustace, Bannan (Commons 64), Hulse (Villa 63). Subs Not Used: Price, Pearson. Goals: Eddie Johnson 90 og.
Att: 18,403
Ref: Neil Swarbrick
