Match Report | Stoke City 0-0 Cardiff City
The Bluebirds battled to a hard-fought point against Stoke City with a goalless draw at the Bet365 Stadium.
Erol Bulut opted to stick with the same XI which won the Severnside derby last time out, with one change on the bench, as Kion Etete returned to the squad in place of Romaine Sawyers.
Momentum in the first half swung between the two teams, with the Bluebirds starting strongly. Mark McGuinness tested Jack Bonham in the Stoke goal with a header, whilst Callum Robinson almost caught out the Potters' stopper after a loose back-pass, although Bonham made a vital intervention at the last second.
Responding well, the hosts carved out chances through the likes of Dwight Gayle and Daniel Johnson. Gayle was thwarted by a fine save by Jak Alnwick, who raced out of his goal to narrow the angle and produce a solid block.
The ex-Newcastle United and West Brom striker almost found the opener minutes later, but fired wide of the target after advancing on goal.
Robinson had the best chance of the opening 45 at the very end of the first half, flicking the ball towards goal. His effort was pawed onto the goalpost by Bonham; a lucky escape for the keeper, with the two sides going in at the break with the scoresheet untouched.
The second half started in similar fashion, with opportunities at both ends. Karlan Grant came closest for City; his low shot on the turn dragged just wide of the target.
Rubin Colwill and Etete were introduced just past the hour mark, and made instant impacts. Colwill drove straight at the heart of the Stoke defence, almost linking up with Kion via Josh Bowler, who showed fine footwork of his own before a slightly heavy pass.
The Bluebirds grew into the second period and began to dominate the ball, with Colwill and Bowler linking up well on the right flank. The introduction of Ollie Tanner added pace and flair, with Perry Ng seeing a shot on goal deflected into the hands of Bonham.
The final opportunity of the match fell to City, with substitute Ryan Wintle going so close to finding a winner. The midfielder snuck into the box and struck a cheeky, low effort towards the front post.
Unfortunately for the Bluebirds, Bonham was equal to Wintle's effort, turning the ball around the post for a corner. The final few moments saw the two sides close the game out to each take home a point, a fair result after an entertaining encounter.
Bulut's men return to home turf next week, facing Norwich City at CCS on Saturday, 11th November, 3pm kick-off.
FINAL SCORE: STOKE CITY 0-0 CARDIFF CITY
Stoke City: Bonham, Hoever, Rose, McNally, Stevens, Pearson, Burger (Laurent 82'), Johnson (Jun-ho 67'), Vidigal (Hakšabanović 59'), Léris (Gooch 82'), Gayle (Wesley 58').
Substitutes: Fielding, Clark, Tchamadeu, Lowe.
Cardiff City: Alnwick, Ng, Goutas, McGuinness, Collins, Siopis, Ralls (Wintle 86'), Robinson (R. Colwill 62'), Bowler (Tanner 77'), Grant, Méïté (Etete 62').
Substitutes: Rúnarsson, Panzo, Romeo, Adams, Ugbo.
