Cardiff City secured a nineteenth Championship win of the season as they beat Southampton 2-1 this afternoon.
The Saints dominated early on, as Stuart Armstrong struck the woodwork after eight minutes. Southampton's pressure eventually payed off as Joe Aribo gave Martin's side the lead after twelve minutes.
Adams and Aribo missed good chances not long after. Brooks was the next to try his luck as he found space in the box, but Horvath got down brilliantly to deny Brooks.
The Saints should have had a second as David Brooks rounded Horvath, however the American recovered brilliantly to deny the Welsh international.
Famara Diedhiou came on with so fight, and got his reward as he equalised for The Bluebirds. Raheem Conte burst down the right hand side, Conte found Meite unmarked in the box, Meite found an unmarked Diedhiou who poked home.
Meite almost had a goal of his own as he had a dipping long rage effort tipped over.
Deep into stoppage time, a moment of magic from Cian Ashford won it. The 19 year-old found space thirty yards from goal and beat McCarthy in the Southampton goal.
The Saints thought they were level late on, but were denied from one of the blocks of the season from Dimitrios Goutas.
That's all she wrote, a big win in the Capital.
Player Ratings:
Ethan Horvath (9) MOTM - Horvath stopped that game from being a humbling. Four or five saves from the top draw to deny Southampton. Commanded his area brilliantly. Distribution decent.
Mahlon Romeo (7.5) - Romeo didn't look out of place today. Up against one of the league's best, the right-back held his own brilliantly. A couple of his trademark sliding challenges as well.
Dimitrios Goutas (8) - Gets an eight for that block alone. Goutas dominated alongside Phillips. Put his body on the line for every challenge.
Nat Phillips (8) - Similar to Dimi. Put his bod on the line for every challenge and made some key blocks. Please stay.
Ollie Tanner (7.5) - I for one was not sure about Tanner at left-back, but I was happily surprised. Tanner was really good going forward and caused Southampton all sorts of problems. Defensively struggled slightly, but it's what you'd expect.
Manolis Siopis (8) - If Cardiff were to win this one, they needed Sio on the top of his game, he was. Reads the game so well to intercept things. Energetic as ever. Now living rent free in Ryan Manning's head as well.
Joe Ralls (8) - Came in and out of the game, but when he was in it Rallsy was exceptional. Flew into challenges and lead from the middle. Really key late on, as Ralls was everywhere.
David Turnbull (7) - Found himself in some really good positions a number of times, failed to make the most of it, unfortunately. Such an intelligent footballer.
Cian Ashford (8.5) - Couldn't have been much better for Ashford. Full senior debut and a winner in front of the Canton End. As well as the goal, Ashford played really well. Direct and not afraid to put himself about. One of our own.
Rubin Colwill (8) - Just oozes quality on the ball. Picks up some great spaces and broke the lines really well. One or two poor decisions in the final third, but that aside Colwill was top, especially when moved centerally.
Yakou Meite (7.5) - Worked his absolute socks off, the norm for Meite now. Went up a different level when moved out wide, getting an assist for Diedhiou.
Subs:
Famara Diedhiou (8) - The best I've seen Fam in a Cardiff shirt. A sliding tackle settled him early on and Diedhiou only got better from there. Right place, right time for the goal.
Raheem Conte (8.5) - Not a bad way to introduce yourself to the Cardiff supporters. Conte had a calmness on the ball of a seasoned pro, so comfortable on both feet. Showed good pace, and was strong defensively.
Luey Giles (7) - Was solid late on. Nice to get an assist on his debut as well.
Summary:
One of the most enjoyable games of the season, as the young guns just showed their capabilities to supporters. Ashford got the moment we've all been hoping for.
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