Match Report | Rotherham United 1-2 Cardiff City
The Bluebirds took a huge step towards Championship safety with a late 2-1 away win at Rotherham United on Thursday night.
Sabri Lamouchi named Jak Alnwick in goal, with Ryan Allsop missing out through injury. Kion Etete and Sory Kaba led the attack, supported by Jaden Philogene.
The home side started strongly, but the Bluebirds defended well and turned things around superbly, once again scoring an early goal in South Yorkshire. City's number nine Etete met Perry Ng's beautiful cross, heading beyond Viktor Johansson after 11 minutes.
It was a heated game, but the referee insisted on letting it flow, with a number of fouls going unpunished.
The hosts levelled against the run of play on 37 minutes. Winger Chiedozie Ogbene headed home at close range to equalise for his side.
The Bluebirds had a good chance to retake the lead before the interval as Jaden Philogene was taken down in the box. Kaba though struck the crossbar with his spot kick.
The second half was a tense affair. City saw efforts from Etete and Joe Ralls from distance fail to hit the mark, while Georgie Kelly's strike immediately after coming on drifted wide.
Philogene was denied an excellent individual goal by Conor Coventry, blocking at the near post.
The game's third goal eventually came with 87 minutes gone, and thankfully the way of the visiting team. Etete was denied by Johansson, City recycled the ball back into the box and Cedric Kipré fired home expertly on the half volley.
The Bluebirds stayed strong throughout the seven minutes added on to secure a crucial three points on the road.
FINAL SCORE: ROTHERHAM UNITED 1-2 CARDIFF CITY
Rotherham United: Johansson, Harding, Bramall, Coventry (Wiles 84'), Wood, Hugill (Kelly 67'), Ogbene, Lindsay, Rathbone (Fosu 70'), Peltier (Quina 84'), Humphreys. Subs Not Used: Hemfrey, Ferguson, Hjelde.
Cardiff City: Alnwick, McGuinness, Kipré, Ng, Romeo, O'Dowda (Simpson 46'), Ralls, Wintle, Philogene (Sawyers 90'), Kaba (Wickham 71'), Etete. Subs Not Used: Luthra, Rinomhota, Ojo, Harris.
