Cardiff City extended their unbeaten league run to 11 matches as they beat Luton Town 3-1 at Cardiff City Stadium.
Brian Barry-Murphy elected to make two changes to the starting line-up that beat Rotherham United last time out, with David Turnbull and captain Calum Chambers replacing Ryan Wintle and Will Fish. There was also a return to the matchday squad for Rubin Colwill, who started on the bench.
City came out of the blocks quickly and recorded early chances in the contest as Ollie Tanner curled an effort narrowly wide and Joel Bagan’s long-ranged effort was parried away by Josh Keeley inside the opening 10 minutes.
The hosts then took the lead quickly after, as Joel Colwill made his way into the Luton Town box and while surrounded by defenders was able to find Turnbull in the box, whose first-timed effort flew into the far corner.
Ten minutes later, The Hatters found their way back into the game after being awarded a penalty. Skipper Jordan Clark stepped up and converted from the spot to level the scores.
However, the Bluebirds responded well, scoring twice in the space of five minutes to restore the lead. First, Tanner won the ball back in the Luton half, where Colwill picked up possession and cooly slotted beyond Keeley. Perry Ng added a third in spectacular fashion, striking the ball cleanly from distance which flew into the top corner.
The hosts came close to adding a fourth before the break with Gabriel Osho’s header crashing off the bar following a free-kick deep in the opposition half.
After the break, City looked confident in possession and continued to threaten to extend the lead. An effort from Chris Willock had to be pushed away at the near post while Chambers’ snapshot went wide of the Luton post.
Meanwhile, Nathan Trott had to remain alert in the City goal, as Shayden Morris played in a deep cross which needed tipping away from the keeper to keep the two-goal advantage.
Fresh off the bench, Rubin Colwill was immediately involved in the action, with a dangerous cross being cleared by the Luton back line.
Fellow substitute Callum Robinson was denied from close-range minutes before the end after another dangerous ball from Colwill which was stopped by the feet of Keeley.
However, City worked to another home win, stretching their unbeaten home record in the league which dates back to September. Next up for the Bluebirds is a fixture on Tuesday 17th February against AFC Wimbledon, with a kick-off of 7:45pm.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 3-1 LUTON TOWN
Cardiff City: Trott, Ng, Bagan (Kpakio 54’), Chambers, Osho, Turnbull, Robertson (Lawlor 89’), J. Colwill (R. Colwill 69’), Tanner, Willock (Ashford 69’), Kellyman (Robinson 69’). Subs Not Used: Tyrer, Fish.
Luton Town: Keeley, Andersen, Mengi, Lonwijk, Clark, Cole (Wells 66’), Jones, Richards (van den Berg 73’), Kouda (Al Hamadi 45’), Johnson (Morris 66’), Palmer. Subs Not Used: Shea, Naismith, Saville.