Match Report | Cardiff City 1-1 West Bromwich Albion
Cardiff City claimed a hard-earned point against West Bromwich Albion at Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday evening with a 1-1 draw.
Daryl Dike opened the scoring for the Baggies, only for substitute Sory Kaba to equalise for the Bluebirds.
Boss Sabri Lamouchi made four changes from our meeting with Preston North End last time out, with Ryan Allsop, Mahlon Romeo, Sheyi Ojo and Isaak Davies coming into the starting XI.
The visitors started brightly and created the first chance, as winger Marc Albrighton’s cross just evaded striker Dike. City responded well however, as Ojo led a break forward before firing off target. In another attack, the ball came to Jaden Philogene in space, who struck wide of the post from distance.
Albion took the lead in the 17th minute, as Jed Wallace’s cross into the area was turned home by Dike. The Bluebirds reacted well to falling behind, going close to an equaliser through Callum O’Dowda’s shot, which deflected into the path of Davies, whose effort from a narrow angle was just wide.
As City continued to push for a leveller, the ball came out to Ojo on the edge of the area, who curled wide of the post.
With Ojo again involved, the winger squared a free-kick to Romaine Sawyers, whose long-range strike towards goal was blocked.
Despite Lamouchi’s men’s efforts to equalise, the Baggies remained a threat, with John Swift firing over with a free-kick from the edge of the box.
Just before the break, Ryan Wintle found space to shoot, with his powerful effort blocked, ensuring the visitors went into the interval with a 1-0 lead.
City goalkeeper Allsop was called into action early in the second period, making a fantastic save to deny Wallace from inside the box. In another chance for the visitors, substitute Adam Reach almost made an instant impact, but headed over the bar.
The Bluebirds found an equaliser in the 65th minute, as a brilliant cross from Wintle was headed home by half-time substitute Kaba for his third City goal.
As the visitors looked to go back ahead, substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante beat the offside trap and lured Allsop off his line before finding Reach, who fired wide of the mark.
City responded with a dangerous attack, as a brilliant run from Kion Etete saw the striker drive towards the box and find Philogene, whose powerful effort was tipped wide by goalkeeper Josh Griffiths.
In an end-to-end period, Thomas-Asante’s pass inside set Wallace through, who beat Allsop to the ball, only to poke an effort wide.
Despite a tense finish, the contest ended level, with City earning a valuable point. The Bluebirds return to action on Saturday afternoon, travelling to Rotherham United.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1–1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Cardiff City: Allsop, Romeo, McGuinness, Ng, O’Dowda, Sawyers, Wintle ©, Philogene, Ojo (Harris 71’), Davies (Kaba 46’), Etete (Rinomhota 81’).
Subs not used: Luthra, Sang, Ralls, R. Colwill.
West Bromwich Albion: Griffiths, O’Shea ©, Ajayi, Pieters (Gardner-Hickman 84’), Townsend, Molumby (Furlong 84’), Yokuşlu, Wallace, Swift (Rogic 70’), Albrighton (Thomas-Asante 71’), Dike (Reach 58’).
Subs not used: Button, Livermore.
