Match Report | Cardiff City 0-1 Sheffield United
Cardiff City fell to a frustrating single goal defeat against Sheffield United at Cardiff City Stadium.
George Baldock’s second half strike made the difference despite a positive City performance in the last fixture before the World Cup break.
Mark Hudson made four changes to the team that started against Hull City in midweek. The Bluebirds shaped up well in their 4-3-3 system early on, although there were no chances at either end in the opening stages. Callum Robinson and Callum O’Dowda in particular made their mark on the Blades backline.
As the game began to open up, City hit Sheffield United on the break, Mahlon Romeo’s chipped cross was half-cleared, allowing an acrobatic effort from Mark Harris which flew just over the bar.
Ryan Wintle was the next man to try luck on the half hour mark. A half-clearance once again fell to Wintle in space from range, firing just wide of Wes Foderingham’s goal from 30-yards.
City began to dominate, turning a chanceless first-half into an action packed one within five minutes. O’Dowda on the counter once again linking up with Robinson, who headed off target.
Harris had a chance to put the Bluebirds ahead on the brink of half-time, a misplaced back-pass by Chris Basham was latched onto by the Welsh international who rounded the keeper although couldn’t get his shot away from an acute angle on his weaker side. Robinson's powerful strike eventually threatened, but the away side had enough men back to cover by this point.
After a start to the second half where the away side were in control, they opened the scoring. Niels Nkounkou’s interception was cancelled out by losing the ball moments after on the edge of the box, which allowed Baldock to shoot, firing in at the near post.
The Blades continued to search for another goal with 20 minutes left to play; Billy Sharp’s chance denied by Allsop on the counter attack.
City pushed for an equaliser until the final whistle, including a link up involving Romeo down the right-hand side, who pulled the ball across to substitute Sheyi Ojo in space, but his effort from the edge of the box drifted wide. Ultimately the Bluebirds’ efforts weren’t enough to clinch a point.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 0–1 SHEFFIELD UNITED
Cardiff City: Allsop, Romeo, Wintle, Ralls © (Ojo 71’), O’Dowda, Sang (Rinomhota 77’), Kipre, Harris (Colwill 62’), Nkounkou (Whyte 71’), Ng, Robinson. Subs not used: Alnwick, Etete, Nelson.
Sheffield United: Foderingham, Baldock, Stevens, Basham, Sharp ©, Egan, Norwood, Robinson (Clark 14’), Osborn, Ndiaye (Khadra 88’), Arblaster (McAtee 45’). Subs not used: Davies, Brooks, Sachdev, Amissah.
