CARDIFF END SEASON IN DEFEAT

Cardiff City were beaten 4-2 by Norwich City this afternoon.

Joe Ralls in action.

Cardiff had a strong start with Joe Ralls and Calum Chambers having efforts saved. Norwich would make City pay as Marcelino Nunez fired the hosts in front after thirteen minutes.

Chambers was sent off three minutes later for a last man challenge on Josh Sargent. Nunez would double his and Norwich's tally with a powerful free-kick from distance. Borja Sainz quickly added a third for the hosts.

The Bluebirds got one back ten minutes into the second half through Yousef Salech from the penalty spot. The forward won the penalty after great work, and slotted it into the bottom left from the spot.

Norwich hit a fourth ten minutes later. Shane Duffy rose highest from a corner to stop any type of Cardiff comeback.

City did net one more before full-time. Rubin Colwill's cross was met by Callum O'Dowda who headed back to Yousef Salech who volleyed in from close range.

Another defeat for Cardiff in a disastrous campaign.

Player Ratings:

Ethan Horvath (4) - Did very little to prevent any of the four goals. Made one game but on a whole looked very unbothered.

Ronan Kpakio (6) - Gave it a good go, and got a mixed bag. Stood up against Sainz and looked astute. Got forward fairly well.

Will Fish (4) - Just didn't stand a chance throughout. Loses Duffy for the fourth, and on a whole looked uncomfortable and struggled.

Calum Chambers (N/A) - Challenge he has to make, a shame after a positive start.

Callum O'Dowda (5) - Did get an assist but generally struggled. Too slow at times when getting forward. Defensively was okay.

David Turnbull (N/A) - Definitely not the player I would've sacrificed after the red. Another who had a positive start interrupted.

Joe Ralls (6) - Got in and amongst in and was Cardiff's biggest goal threat in the first half. On a whole, played okay.

Cian Ashford (6.5) - Grew into the game, particularly in the second half. Drove forward well, decision making just needs to be sharper.

Alex Robertson (5.5) - Offered very little. Went close with a half chance in the first half, but a fairly anonymous performance.

Will Alves (6) - Started fairly bright and spread the play well. Another who's positive started was disrupted by the red.

Yousef Salech (9) MOTM - If that is to be goodbye, then what a way to go out. Wins the penalty through shear tenacity, and then a tidy finish. Right place at the right time for the second. A top class performance.

Subs:

Joel Bagan (6.5) - On a whole defended quite well. Composed on the ball.

Dylan Lawlor (7.5) - An excellent Championship debut. Some strong challenges and like a seasoned-pro on the ball. One to watch for next season, for sure.

Rubin Colwill (7) - Carried and broke the lines quite well. Spread the play well.

Chris Willock (5) - Didn't do much.

Tantswa Nyakuhwa (6) - A safe cameo, did make a key clearance to deny a goal.

Summary:

Thank god it's over.

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