Cardiff City dropped points late on as they drew 2-2 with Stoke this afternoon.
Stoke took the lead just after the quarter of an hour mark. A long range effort was parried by Jak Alnwick straight into the path of Andrew Moran who calmly finished.
City hit back through Anwar El Ghazi. Some good work from Chris Willock led to an effort from Joe Ralls, that took a nick off a Stoke player before landing at the feet of Anwar El Ghazi to tap home.
The Bluebirds almost doubled their lead after half-time. A loose ball fell to Yakou Meite, whose looping volley struck the crossbar.
Cardiff would go onto to get a second. After some more good work from Chris Willock, his effort was saved by Viktor Johansson before ricocheting off Ben Gibson into the back of the net.
Gibson turned from zero to hero late on, as an error from Alnwick allowed the Stoke captain to swoop in and secure a late point for the hosts.
Player Ratings:
Jak Alnwick (4) - Has to do better for both goals. Four feels harsh consdering some of the good saves Alnwick made in the game, but in the context of things, that's three massive points dropped due to two errors from the City keeper.
Jesper Daland (7) - Came back into the side and was solid. Composed as ever with the ball at his feet, and got in some promising attacking positions. Defensively held his own.
Dimitrios Goutas (6) - A steady performances from Dimi. Decent on the ball, and on a whole just an okay performance.
Calum Chambers (6) - Similar to Goutas, really. Fairly steady. Looked uncomfortable early on down the left, but grew into the game.
Andy Rinomhota (7) - Another strong showing from Rino. Strong in the tackle and got forward well. Right Wing Back really suits his attributes. Linked up well with El Ghazi.
Manolis Siopis (7) - Swept up well and kept City ticking. Won his battles in the midfield and frustrated Stoke. Decent on the ball, as well.
Joe Ralls (7) - Does well for the first goal, putting the ball into a dangerous area. Similar to Sio, won his battles in the middle and kept ticking.
Callum O'Dowda (8) - Mr. Consistent. Up and down the left and effecting the game defensively and offensively. City's most reliable player at the moment!
Anwar El Ghazi (7.5) - Right place at the right time. Looked confident and got forward with purpose. Worked well with Rinomhota.
Chris Willock (8) MOTM - And that's why you start Chris Willock. A constant threat down the left with his fast feet and trickery. Does really well for both goals, in particular in the second.
Yakou Meite (6.5) - Ran the Stoke back line well, taking some heavy kicks on the way. Unlucky not to score.
Subs:
Rubin Colwill (6.5) - Came on and tried to drag City up the pitch whilst they were under pressure, just needed someone to work off.
Wilfried Kanga (6.5) - Link up play was everything it needed to be. Held up the ball well.
Alex Robertson (N/A)
Summary:
A tough one to take after a more than good enough performance. A shame individual errors letting us down again.
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