Fri Dec 18, 2015 9:52 pm
BBC
Birmingham City claimed a first home win in two months thanks to a first-half penalty from Paul Caddis.
He kept his cool to send Bluebirds keeper David Marshall the wrong way following a controversial handball decision against Matthew Connolly.
Marshall then denied Blues a second with the save of the night to deny Jon Toral, flying to his left.
But, in front of a crowd of just 14,415, Blues had to survive several missed second-half chances by Cardiff.
Sat Dec 19, 2015 10:03 am
Birmingham City 1-0 Cardiff City: Match Review
19/12/15
by Jamie Kemble
Birmingham City 1-0 Cardiff City:
Goalscorers: Paul Caddis (Pen 45′)
Attendance: 14,414
A blatantly incorrect penalty decision cost Cardiff at St Andrews as Birmingham City grabbed their first win in two months. Birmingham now leap-frog Cardiff in the Championship table on goal difference.
Paul Caddis’ converted penalty was the difference and indeed the talking point at St Andrews as Birmingham rose above Cardiff in the Sky Bet Championship table. Paul Coote who was a last-minute replacement for referee Keith Stroud, awarded a penalty for handball after the ball hit Matthew Connolly in the face.
Former Blackpool manager and present Sky Sports Football League pundit Ian Holloway described the decision as “appalling” and pretty much everyone agreed.
Cardiff dominated the game but failed to convert their chances and paid the ultimate price as their run of uneaten games (four) comes to an end. The Bluebirds will now have to wait on Burnley and Ipswich results on Saturday afternoon to see if the Coote’s decision has lost them ground in the play-off race.
Tony Watt was awarded Sky Sports’ Man of the Match after a lively display, perhaps summing up the way of the fixture with a losing player picking up the award.
Paul Caddis’ penalty sees the Blues home goal drought ended as Rowett’s side pick up momentum going into the Christmas period. Just one point separates Birmingham and Cardiff from the play-off’s but the teams above play on Saturday. It’s no easy ride for Ipswich however, Mick McCarthy’s side face promotion chasing Derby County at home.
Cardiff now go to MK Dons on Boxing Day knowing little less than a win would do to take them into the play-off’s for the turn of the year while Birmingham City go to fellow play-off chasers Sheffield Wednesday.
Match Report
First Half
Cardiff dominated from the off as the home side struggled to deal with Tony Watt in the Bluebirds’ front line. Birmingham slowly managed to adapt to the game but Cardiff still remained in the ascendancy.
Anthony Pilkington had a great chance when he got on the end of Tony Watt’s superb cross but he decided to head the ball back to the un-expecting Kenwyne Jones and the chance went begging.
The away side continued to dominate possession but their delivery in the final third was poor and potential chances went begging, something Russell Slade would have been disappointed with.
The controversial moment arrived on the brink of half-time, a long ball into the box from a set-piece was gathered by David Marshall who fumbled, the ball back across was struck goal-ward only to be blocked by the face Matthew Connolly but David Coote answered the Birmingham appeals and awarded the penalty.
Blues substitute Paul Caddis dispatched the penalty into the left bottom corner, sending goalkeeper David Marshall the wrong way and Birmingham headed into the break in front.
Second Half
The second half begun with the home side in front with Cardiff not producing any chances on goal but after fifteen minutes the match tipped in the favour of Cardiff once again, Russell Slade’s men ended the match with 61% possession despite being the away side.
Pilkington would again come close after getting on the end of Scott Malone’s cross but his flick bobbled on wide of the far post.
Bluebirds winger Sammy Ameobi arguable had the best chance of the fixture when he was sent through on goal but despite having the freedom of St Andrews he opened his body up and placed the ball well-wide of the far left post.
Birmingham’s best chance of the second half and one of their only clear-cut efforts in the second period arrived in the form of Jon Toral’s who’s powerful strike was saved brilliantly by David Marshall at his near post.
Tony Watt come agonizingly close to scoring with the help of Jonathan Spector when his cross was deflected goal-wards but he was denied by the up-right.
The game finished at 1-0 to the home side and despite the Bluebirds pressure, they just could not grab the crucial goal and David Cootes poor decision would cost Russell Slade’s men.
Man of the Match- Bruno Ecuele-Manga
Bruno Ecuele-Manga was brought on for Sean Morrison before the ten minute mark after Morrison suffered a suspected jarred knee through a 50/50 challenge. Bruno was classy throughout, turning strikers inside-out with little effort.
Bruno, who struggled in his last notable outing against Hull City was as solid as he could have been throughout and helped keep Birmingham City well at bay. Tony Watt was the Sky Sports man of the match and he was a contender after putting in a strong performance.
Aron Gunnarsson was another who put in a very strong performance, his dogged approach kept Cardiff strong in midfield for long periods of play. Sammy Ameobi’s finishing was poor but ultimately he kept the team ticking over throughout.
The Final Word
Cardiff were massively unlucky and were undone by a very poor decision from the referee. Cardiff can hold their heads up high after this despite being disappointing because they played to high standard.
Cardiff haven’t had trouble scoring of late but their luck seemed to run out at St Andrews and it may have to be forgotten about, providing City can get a result at Stadium:MK on Boxing day. The Bluebirds looked a long way in front of their play-off rivals despite losing and that can only be a promising sign.
On an individual level, Joe Ralls was a real weak-link for the second consecutive game and some much needed experience and composure is needed in the form of Peter Whittingham on Boxing Day. Ralls was wreckless, weak and his deliveries were dire throughout the afternoon and Aron Gunnarsson found himslef sweeping up for Ralls time and time again.
Scott Malone was another who struggled to get into the fixture with some very poor deliveries from the full-back. Malone normally possesses quality in this area but everything from his touch to his confidence seemed completely off.
Sammy Ameobi got some stick but he really kept the Bluebirds ticking over and was very involved throughout so there are no complaints there from me. Kenwyne Jones seemed a little off also, lacking quality in his touches and flicks.
Cardiff must keep their focus and with two struggling teams coming up in MK Dons, Nottingham Forest and then play-off chasing Blackburn in the next three games a