The Bluebirds claimed their first league victory of the season with a terrific home performance on Saturday afternoon.
Brian Barry-Murphy named an unchanged starting XI from City's last two fixtures, and began the match with intent.
Following some early half chances going the way of the visitors, City were ahead within ten minutes of play thanks to Jack Moylan. Feinting towards Alex Robertson’s low cross but letting it run towards Yousef Salech, Moylan found the space to receive a square pass from Yousef, before finishing beautifully from just inside the area.
Keeping up the pressure following the opener, the Bluebirds created yet more chances with the majority of possession that they commanded and doubled the lead before the half hour mark. Chris Willock came close with a curled effort that was tipped around the post, while Salech added to his assist with a fine goal, turning under pressure inside the box before finishing with a well-placed shot into the corner of the net.
Charlton responded five minutes later, as Tyreece Campbell beat the offside trap to be put in place for a one-on-one with Nathan Trott, putting his effort past the City ‘keeper to halve the deficit.
The all-action first half continued with both sides looking for the fourth goal of the afternoon. Joel Colwill close as Jack Moylan headed across goal towards a cluster of bodies, but the midfielder mistimed his first-touch and sent the effort wide.
With a few minutes remaining before the interval, Salech came the closest to another, as Moylan squared the ball to him inside the area. However, Arthur Okonkwo read the subsequent effort well and dived to deny Yousef his second.
The intensity resumed immediately as the second half began, with both Bluebirds and Addicks battling for that important next goal. Former City loanee Karlan Grant put an effort into the side netting for the visitors, before Joel Colwill’s headed effort forced another stop by Okonkwo.
City deservedly restored the two-goal lead just past the hour mark with the best goal of the lot. Playing a one-two with Ollie Tanner at the edge of the area, Jack Moylan lined up his shot perfectly, striking into the top corner at the near post as he bagged his brace.
Utilising the wide positions, City nearly added to their tally through both Perry Ng and Ollie Tanner on separate occasions, as they were each allowed to get shots off from the edge of the area that narrowly missed the mark.
With changes made to shore up City’s defences and provide fresh legs for the final minutes – including a warmly-received return for Dylan Lawlor – the Bluebirds’ dominance on the ball continued until the end. The final whistle rewarded the hosts for their efforts with a thoroughly deserved three points before a long international break.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 3-1 CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Cardiff City: Trott, Bagan, Osho (Lawlor 83’), Bielik, Moylan (Scanlon 83’), Salech, Tanner (Ashford 69’), Willock (Turnbull 61’), Robertson, J. Colwill, Ng. Substitutes: Tyrer, Tankiewicz, Moreno, Kpakio, Robinson.