' TODAYS TEAM: NEWCASTLE v CARDIFF CITY ' MATCH THREAD

Lambert big and strong

Lambert has been winning everything in the air and his flick-on nearly tees up another Cardiff attack. Noone and Hoilett are trying to get as close to the big man as then can when the Bluebirds tiptoe forward. Defensively, it’s a 4-5-1 for Warnock’s side.

Free kick shenanigans

Free kick for Cardiff after Gunnarsson wins a free kick in a dangerous area.

Ralls gets a telling off from the referee for apparently misplacing the ball... and eventually it’s clipped out of play by the midfielder.

Simple solution?

Ralls free-kick bombs straight over the back for a goal-kick. I think Cardiff need Whittingham.

Magpies still flying

Better from Cardiff in the latter stages of this second half but there’s been no clearcut chance to worry Magpies’ keeper Karl Darlow.

The home side are still comfortable at 1-0.

The home fans far from happy with ref Tony Harrington. He awards Cardiff keeper Ben Amos a free-kick from nowhere.

Atsu v Bamba

Christian Atsu has been immense for Newcastle. But everything (apart from that opening goal) he’s done has been met by Sol Bamba.

The centre back scrambles away... and there’s nearly trouble for Ben Amos who is saved by the referee’s whistle for a free kick.

Amos is then allowed to throw the ball forward, taking the free-kick well away from his position when the ref whistled. 1-0.

Ciaran Clark with an angled cross from the left and Joe Bennett makes a hash of the clearance - conceding a corner. 1-0.

Morrison clears

Rafa Benitez is cutting a frustrated figure on the sideline as Cardiff continue to disturb the rhythm of Newcastle’s play.

Shelvey is sitting in a quarterback role in front of the back four spraying all kinds of dangerous balls. Morrison is equal to that one and puts it out for a Toon throw. Joe Bennett then concedes a needless corner.

Corners

A succession of corners for Newcastle after that Bennett mistake, Gouffran nearly finds space in the box from the second of three corner chances.

A quick change of ball and the third one comes in... Lambert and Ralls clear between them. Final few moments of the half now.

Gouffran makes it 2-0! #NUFC

Top team vs average team ... Massive difference

bugger 2-0

Didn't expect anything here but very disappointing performance. Our players look terrified

Half time

That goal came at an awful time for Cardiff City. Gouffran just allowed too much space in the box and the Bluebirds will trudge off after conceding goals at either end of the first period.

Another chance

Nearly a third for Newcastle almost from the second half kick off. Mitrovic leaps for a header but it’s an easy save for Ben Amos.

- United are straight out of the blocks but Mitro can't generate enough power to beat Amos with a header. 2-0.

Slow tempo

Patient build up from Newcastle, who can afford to slow the tempo down now that they have a nice lead.

The Magpies go close to a third after Mitro pulls the ball back across the box but Atsu's attempt is deflected over. 2-0.

Nearly 3-0

It could have been a spectacular third from Gouffran who tries a diving header to cap another fine Newcastle move.

Cardiff can’t really cope with this endless Magpies’ pressure.

Gunnarsson standing firm

Patience is a virtue and that old mantra is being expertly proven by Newcastle today. Hayden, Shelvey, Clark and Perez all involved in some more lovely interplay, but Gunnarsson is standing firm for the Bluebirds.

Bennett busy

Those Gunnarsson long throws look like Cardiff’s best chance of creating. The Icelandic captain tries another one, but Newcastle come away through Hayden who almost links up with Perez. The Bluebirds stop the attack in his tracks though. Good work again from Bennett, who’s had loads to deal with today.

Close!

Lambert inside the box! Wow what a miss. Noone does well to cross for Lambert but it’s gone wide.

Cardiff just can’t get close to Newcastle, who’ve gone close on numerous occasions to a third. That second just before half-time really was a brutal blow. Jonjo Shelvey, as we feared, is really pulling the strings. Isaac Hayden is protecting him really well and allowing him to control the tempo.

An even better chance for Atsu after he gets in between two defenders but he hits over! Brilliant play by Mitro in the build-up.

Chance for Mitro after great work by Gouffran and Dummett but he side-foots wide of goal! Unlucky. 2-0

Our goal difference is not looking too healthy. Id be tempted to shut up shop and get out of there and go again for the next game. Damage limitions.

Lambert goes close for Cardiff but he pulls the ball across Karl Darlow's goal and wide. 2-0.

Richardson done ok

Richardson starts another Cardiff attack which is worked to Lambert on the edge of the box.

Excellent strength from the big man who glides an effort goalwards but can’t find the target.

Another opportunity for Cardiff but this time it's Craig Noone who beats the goalkeeper and the far post. 2-0