City Flashback - November 11th, 2006 | Scimeca nets Ninian Park winner
With our latest article celebrating City history, we recall a noteworthy Ninian Park win on this day in 2006...
On November 11th, 2006, the Bluebirds welcomed Burnley to Ninian Park looking to extend their lead at the top of the Championship table.
City edged the Clarets with a memorable goal from Riccardo Scimeca, netting his fifth goal of the campaign with a fantastic strike from 20-yards
#OnThisCardiffCityDay - 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣6️⃣ | Scimeca stuns @BurnleyOfficial at Ninian Park!
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) November 11, 2021
➡️ https://t.co/Xv4m0eOoL0#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/uiLVaYPWYZ
Scimeca had joined the club at the start of the season from West Bromwich Albion, going on to become an integral part of the City squad.
The English midfielder spent the rest of his career in the Welsh capital, retiring in December 2009 following a recurring groin injury.
Another hero that day for the Bluebirds was goalkeeper Neil Alexander, who saved brilliantly to deny Frank Sinclair and Wade Elliott.
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen McPhail went close to doubling the lead with a fine strike from distance, but it was Scimeca’s stunner that secured a vital win for high-flying City in front of nearly 16,000 supporters.
After the Bluebirds went three points clear at the top of the table, a difficult festive period followed, but City rebuilt in January with notable wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City and Leeds United.
A huge positive in the campaign was the form of Michael Chopra, who joined the club that summer from Newcastle United. The striker went on to net 22 league goals in his first campaign as a Bluebird, finishing narrowly behind Jamie Cureton in the top-scorers list, who recorded 23 goals.
Despite missing out on the Golden Boot, Chopra was recognised for his stellar season as he was named in the PFA Team of the Year, later moving on to league champions Sunderland.
City went on to finish 13th in the Championship in the 2006/2007 season, as Birmingham City and Derby County joined the Black Cats in securing promotion to the Premier League.
History | Riccardo Scimeca: I felt the passion at the Club right away
