Match Report | Cardiff City 1-2 Luton Town
Cardiff City fell to a 2-1 defeat against Luton Town at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night.
Second-half strikes from Luke Freeman and substitute Gabriel Osho were enough to secure all three points for the Hatters in South Wales.
Romaine Sawyers got a goal back for the Bluebirds six minutes from time, but it wasn't enough for the Bluebirds to earn a point
Steve Morison made four changes to the side that started against Preston North End at the weekend, with Sheyi Ojo, Andy Rinomhota and Mark Harris all returning to the starting XI. There was also a first City start for Niels Nkounkou, who operated well from left-back.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium early on but it was the Hatters that created the first real opportunity after just five minutes. Allan Campbell’s effort from range took a rapid deflection and blazed wide of Ryan Allsop’s goal.
City hit back not long later, carving an opportunity out of their own. Nkounkou found Max Watters after a promising attack before he turned his man brilliantly forcing Ethan Horvath into making a strong save.
Moments later, Ojo had a chance at goal after he reacted quickest to Rinomhota's flick on inside the box, but he couldn't keep his effort down.
Calm and composed in possession, City continued to endanger the Hatters' backline. Joe Ralls went close to opening the scoring for the Bluebirds in 22nd minute when the skipper's strike from range went narrowly wide.
On the stroke of half-time, a quick counter attack from Nathan Jones’ men saw Amarìi Bell cross for Elijah Adebayo at the far post, but Nkounkou used his strength well to fend off the forward.
Tthe away side broke the deadlock through Freeman in the 47th minute. After some good work down the right, Adebayo found the advancing midfielder, who finished well beyond Allsop.
With the Bluebirds searching for a way back into the game, Mahlon Romeo surged forward before unleashing a strike that trickled wide of the goal. That was before, Ojo found space, curling an effort agonisingly off target.
The Hatters doubled their lead in the 62nd minute, as Osho volleyed into the back of the net from James Bree's free-kick.
In a bid to change things offensively, Morison introduced Jaden Philogene, Rubin Colwill and Romaine Sawyers to the attacking line. In the 75th minute, Romeo picked out Philogene inside the box, but his shot was expertly blocked by the sliding Bree.
However, the Bluebirds pulled a goal back six minutes before time, as Sawyers found space outside the box before his low-driven effort found the bottom corner.
Despite the late consolation goal, the final whistle brought City's unbeaten home league run to an end.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1-2 LUTON TOWN
Cardiff City: Allsop, Romeo, Ng, Kipré, Nkounkou, Wintle, Ralls (Colwill 59’) (C), Rinomhota (Sawyers 70’), Harris, Ojo, Watters (Philogene 59’). Subs not used: Alnwick, Simpson, Whyte, Bagan.
Luton Town: Horvath, Bree, Burke (Onyedinma 45’), Lockyer, Potts (C), Bell, Campbell (Berry 86’), Clark, Freeman (Osho 56’), Morris (Jerome 68’), Adebayo (Woodrow 86’). Subs not used: Macey, Lansbury.
