Report: Steve Garland

Snapshot: City kicked off their Championship campaign in the best possible way on Saturday, securing a 4-0 win against Scunthorpe United at Cardiff City Stadium.

Scunthorpe had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the first minute of play, Gary Hooper breaking free of Mark Hudson before striking weakly at David Marshall.

As the game settled, so did Cardiff, the Bluebirds stroking the ball around midfield with Joe Ledley and Stephen McPhail dictating the pace of the game. It was some neat midfield play by Ross McCormack and McPhail that lead to City's first. Peter Whittingham picked up the ball from McCormack's pass on the edge of the area before striking at goal, his effort deflecting off the boot of Michael Chopra before floating over the outstretched arm of Joe Murphy.

The goal shook Scunthorpe and City continued to dominate as the half progressed. Jay Bothroyd stabbed in the Bluebirds' second after Ledley's initial shot bobbled across Murphy's goal-line to give the striker the easiest of tap ins. Chopra got his second and Cardiff's third in first half injury time. Some delicate one-touch football between Whittingham and Bothroyd gave Chopra the opportunity to shimmy past two Scunthorpe defenders and drill home his shot high in to the net.

City continued the pace in the second half, with McCormack looking particularly sprightly on the left wing. Stephen McPhail continued to do the gritty stuff for City, breaking up many Scunthorpe attacks and steering City forward. A late Whittingham penalty rounded off the afternoon in perfect style.

Chronological report: After the Cardiff City Stadium paid tribute to Football legend Bobby Robson with a well respected one minute of applause, Cardiff got their first ever league match underway against League One Play-off winners Scunthorpe United.

On their return to the Championship after just one year away, Scunthorpe immediately had a chance to take the lead through Gary Hooper. Grant McCann's superb through ball found the prolific striker who, one on one with goalkeeper David Marshall should have scored but only found the arms of the debutant Bluebirds keeper.

It was an immediate wake up call for the Bluebirds who then went on the attack themselves. McPhail aimed for Bothroyd in the box with his punt forward and whilst Jay looked to bring the ball down on his chest he appeared to be bundled over by new Iron signing Rob Jones. But referee Moss saw nothing of the sort.

It was a shaky start for Cardiff who looked lightweight in midfield in the opening stages, Scunthorpe often dominating midfield possession in the first twenty minutes and creating the most up front through Paul Hayes and the lively Gary Hooper.

But as the half progressed Ledley and McPhail started to find their feet in the midfield and it was link up play between the two that led to the Bluebirds first real chance in the game after a foul on Ledley on the edge of the area. With McCormack, Whittingham and Chopra eyeing up the chance, it was Chopra who took the shot on only to see it fly over the crossbar.

It was a start though for the Bluebirds as they brought a bit of pressure to the Scunthorpe back line. Ross McCormack produced a moment of magic on the left wing as he pushed forward through the midfield and found Whittingham in space on the edge of the area. Whittingham's shot sent the goal keeper diving to his left only for it to deflect off Chopra's heel to leave Murphy watch helplessly as the ball looped over his head and into the back of the net.

Goal: Cardiff City 1-0 Scunthorpe United (Michael Chopra 20 mins)

Chopra had an immediate chance to get his second of the game and double City's lead just three minutes later, as McPhail's superb through ball found Chopra through with just the keeper to beat. As the Scunthorpe defence closed in on the striker, Chopra shot towards the bottom left hand corner of the net, beating Iron keeper Murphy but not the upright as it bounced clear to the relief of the Scunthorpe defence.

But it would not be long until another chance came City's way. A brilliant charge forward from left back by Mark Kennedy gave him the time and space to find Joe Ledley free just inside the box. Ledley's shot looked destined for the net but Jay Bothroyd made sure that it did as he met the ball at the far post and tapped home for his first goal of the season and doubled City's lead.

Goal: Cardiff City 2-0 Scunthorpe United (Jay Bothroyd 30 mins)

The second goal put Cardiff in complete control of the game and any early pressure Scunthorpe had was now a distant memory. City looked certain to see the lead through to the break but instead fancied another goal to kill the game.

Some tight build up play on the edge of the penalty area between Bothroyd and Chopra and some poor defending from the Scunthorpe defence, allowed Bothroyd to lay off a back pass to Chopra in the area, who made certain of his second goal of the game by blasting the ball past keeper Murphy and into the back of the net.

Goal: Cardiff City 3-0 Scunthorpe United (Michael Chopra 45 mins)

The stadium was still rocking as the half time whistle blew with the Bluebirds now comfortable in their first game of the season.

Half time: Cardiff City 3-0 Scunthorpe United

Cardiff Substitute: Joe Ledley off - Gavin Rae on (45 mins)

Scunthorpe Substitute: Gary Hooper off- Josh Wright on (49 mins)

As Cardiff looked to sure up the victory with the arrival of Gavin Rae to the proceedings, Scunthorpe started to find their way back into the match in the early stages of the second half.

Some good build up play in the Scunthorpe midfield allowed Martyn Woolford time and space to cross from the left flank. His dipping cross went over keeper Marshall but failed to be converted by any of the advancing Iron players.

It was a slight wake up call for City with still half an hour to go in the game and they replied with a good spell of pressure of their own. Their first chance came after some good play by Whittingham and Kennedy down the left flank finding Ross McCormack in the box. The Scot looked for space to shoot but instead picked out Michael Chopra whose deflected shot was saved well by Joe Murphy.

City now had the taste for a fourth goal and came close again from a McCormack corner with 25 minutes to go. His deep cross found Chopra at the far post who, despite the tight angle, managed to get a good shot off towards goal which could only be parried by Murphy in goal. It fell to Bothroyd who almost claimed his second of the game only to see his headed effort cannon off the upright.

Scunthorpe were now breaking apart at the seams and could not cope with the Bluebirds attacking quality as City had another chance just moments later. McCormack put Michael Chopra through on goal who, looking for his hat-trick, rounded the keeper well but Murphy did just enough to stop Chopra from getting a shot away. Chops laid the ball back to Whittingham, who looked certain to score, but instead curved the ball just wide of the post.

Scunthorpe Substitute: Matt Sparrow, Sam Togwell off - Michael O'Connor, Jonathan Forte on. (77 minutes)

As the first league game of the season started to draw to a close, a very comfortable Bluebirds side started to toy with the opposition. Jay Bothroyd went on a maisy run, beating three defenders, before finding Ross McCormack on the left flank. Ross charged to the goal line and squared a ball across the face of goal, but this time there was no-one to guide the ball home.

Cardiff Substitute: Michael Chopra off- Chris Burke on (84 mins)

As the fourth goal still eluded the Bluebirds, they had one final effort on goal as Chris Burke somehow whipped in a cross from the right flank despite being hounded by the towering Rob Jones. His cross reached Bothroyd, but he could only head over the bar.

Cardiff Substitute: Jay Bothroyd off - Josh Magennis on (90 mins)

But just as it looked like never coming, the Bluebirds were gifted their chance of a fourth goal to complete the demolition of Scunthorpe, as Chris Burke was fouled inside the box. Referee Moss had no hesitation in pointing to the spot as City handed penalty duties to Peter Whittingham after McCormacks recent miss against Valencia. Whittingham made sure, hitting a low shot to the left of the keeper, rounding off a perfect start to the season for the Bluebirds.

Goal: Cardiff City 4-0 Scunthorpe United (Peter Whittingham Pen, 90+1 mins)

Full time: Cardiff City 4-0 Scunthorpe United

Starting line-ups

Cardiff City: David Marshall, Mark Kennedy, Paul Quinn,Mark Hudson, Anthony Gerrard, Peter Whittingham, Stephen McPhail, Joe Ledley, Ross McCormack, Michael Chopra, Jay Bothroyd.

Scunthorpe United: Joe Murphy, Cliff Byrne, Sam Togwell, Matt Sparrow, Grant McCann, Paul Hayes, Gary Hooper, Rob Jones, David Mirfin, Martyn Woolford, Ian Morris.