The Bluebirds were victorious in their final home match of the 2025/26 season, emphatically defeating Northampton Town 5-1 at Cardiff City Stadium.
Brian Barry-Murphy made five changes to the side that defeated Port Vale on Wednesday, with Will Fish, Joel Bagan, Chris Willock, Ollie Tanner and City debutant Harry Tyrer all coming into the starting eleven.
Despite City dominating the ball, it was the visitors who carved out the opening opportunities, with Cameron McGeehan testing Tyrer from distance. From that resulting corner, Jon Guthrie’s header was parried away by the City ‘keeper.
The Bluebirds opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Chris Willock did fantastically on the left-hand side before playing a terrific ball into the area. His cross found Ollie Tanner, whose powerful strike found the back of the net.
City’s pressure on the Cobblers’ backline continued throughout the early portions of the match, and the Bluebirds wouldn’t have to wait long for a second. Joel Bagan played a fantastic low ball into the feet of Rubin Colwill, whose first time pass found his brother Joel, who converted from close range to double City’s lead.
The hosts continued to dominate the first half and added a third in the 36th minute. A poor back pass from Jack Vale gifted Callum Robinson a one-on-one with Lee Burge, which the Irishman easily converted to put City beyond reach of the visitors.
Minutes before the break, City nearly made it four through David Turnbull’s effort from the edge of the box, but his shot was saved brilliantly by Burge.
Barry-Murphy’s men took a three-goal advantage into half-time after controlling much of the first half.
Following the interval, City continued to attack with confidence and were awarded a fourth. Willock, getting his second assist of the match, played a precise ball across the box to the feet of Tanner, who rifled the ball home to put City four ahead.
Despite City dominating the match, the visitors pulled one back through Jake Evans’ curling strike, which sailed into the bottom left corner.
Cardiff City continued to dominate and added a fifth. In the 86th minute, Robinson had time and space to play a pass across to substitute Yousef Salech, who converted his 15th league goal of the season.
Moments later, Robinson nearly added a sixth for the Bluebirds, but his effort flew just wide of the goal.
With the final whistle blown, City made it three league wins in a row with another dominant performance.
Cardiff City will conclude their League One campaign next Saturday, as they take on Mansfield Town at One Call Stadium - Kick-Off at 3pm.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 5-1 NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Cardiff City: Tyrer; Kpakio, Fish, Lawlor, Bagan, Turnbull (Tankiewicz 87’), J. Colwill (Robertson 55’), R. Colwill (Salech 55’), Tanner (Davies 65’), Robinson, Willock (Davies 65’). Subs Not Used: Trott, Ng.
Northampton Town: Burge, Guinness-Walker, Guthrie, Dyche, McCarthy, Hoskins (Evans 66’), Campbell (Taylor 89’), McGeehan, Swyer (McAdam 46’), Fornah (Jacobs 81’), Vale (List 46’). Subs Not Used: Eave, Fitzsimons.