' A REPORTERS VIEW / CARDIFF CITY TONIGHT '
Wed Nov 02, 2022 9:47 pm
Cardiff City surrendered an early lead against Watford after set-piece goals from Francisco Sierralta and Ismaila Sarr consigned the Bluebirds to a 2-1 defeat.
By Glen Williams
It all started so brightly for City, too, with Cedric Kipre heading home early on to hand the hosts the lead following an encouraging start. But then the true might of the Hornets came back to sting City, who crumbled during set-piece time.
Headed goals either side of half-time was enough to see Watford claim all three points, which now of course means Cardiff's record reads three defeats in the last four games. Hardly ideal, but Watford was always going to be a tough ask.
Jaden Philogene's match-winning cameo off the bench against Rotherham United earned him a recall to the starting XI for the first time since the defeat by Huddersfield Town on September 17, the last match Steve Morison took charge of.
That meant it was his first start under interim boss Mark Hudson, with Sheyi Ojo having been relegated to the bench.
The only other change saw Mahlon Romeo, who has been impressive all season and made an impact off the bench on Saturday, come in instead of Tom Sang, who had to settle for a place on the bench.
None of the injured players managed to make a comeback, most notably Rubin Colwill, who was absent once again with the World Cup clock ticking. He, and Cardiff, hope he recovers from his hip-flexor issue very sharpish.
With or without the attacking prowess of Colwill, Cardiff's attacking play clicked right from the off. They put Watford under pressure and started the better of the two sides without a shadow of doubt.
The Bluebirds' forward play earned an early corner, not usually much of an attacking threat for opposition teams this season, with Cardiff having not scored a goal from a corner all season. That was to change, though.
Joe Ralls curled in a delightful ball and the yellow shirts appeared to dissipate in the box, leaving the towering figure of Kipre alone just six yards from goal. He needed no second invitation and his powerful header nestled into the back of the Hornets' net.
It was, unfortunately for the Bluebirds, the shot in the arm Watford needed and the visiting side hit back strongly. Just minutes later it looked as though they had grabbed an equaliser when Mario Gaspar's shot flew past Ryan Allsop at the near post, however goalscorer Kipre was on hand, and on the line, to clear in the nick of time.
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But it was the first warning shot from Slaven Bilic's team and they continued to crank up the heat on Cardiff's goal.
Joao Pedro caused the odd stir with shots from 20 yards, which Allsop was equal to, but it seemed a matter of time before Watford restored parity.
When they did, just seven minutes before the break, it was almost a carbon copy of Cardiff's goal. Ken Sema sent in an inviting cross from the corner and Sierralta rose above Perry Ng before heading home. In truth, Cardiff couldn't wait to hear that half-time whistle blow.
The hosts almost started the second half with a bang, though, via the dancing feet of Philogene. The Aston Villa loanee embarked on a run down the right before chopping inside Sierralta and then skinning Hassane Kamara. He let off a bending shot towards the far corner, but was denied by the very tips of Daniel Bachmann's fingers.
But normal service resumed for the visitors after that. They grew more dangerous with each passing attack and their set-piece threat was too much for City to handle. Just before the hour mark, Sema sent in another rasping cross from the corner, which flicked off Kipre's head and into Sarr, who knew nothing about it, and the ball bounced off him into City's net.
Cardiff tried to hit back, chiefly through Philogene, who grew in confidence and importance as the game opened up. Another rasping, left-footed effort of his sailed by the post, before he set up Sheyi Ojo for Cardiff's best chance of equalising.
Philogene slotted a pinpoint ball through, beyond the Watford backline, and Ojo latched on to it, but the substitute's effort was saved well by Bachmann.
And like that, Cardiff's chances were gone. A valiant effort in the end, but there will likely be few complaints about the result.
Cardiff City XI: Allsop; Romeo (Watters 90), Ng, Kipre, Nkounkou; Wintle, Rinomhota (Sawyers 68), Ralls; Philogene, Harris (Etete 68), O'Dowda (Ojo 68).
Subs: Alnwick, Nelson, Sang.
Watford XI: Bachmann; Gaspar, Troost-Ekong, Sierralta, Kamara; Gosling, Kayembe; Sarr, Pedro, Sema (Asprilla 90); Bayo (Hungbo 79).
Subs: Okoye, Dele-Bashiru, Kabasele, Pollock, Morris.
Attendance: 17,036
By Glen Williams
It all started so brightly for City, too, with Cedric Kipre heading home early on to hand the hosts the lead following an encouraging start. But then the true might of the Hornets came back to sting City, who crumbled during set-piece time.
Headed goals either side of half-time was enough to see Watford claim all three points, which now of course means Cardiff's record reads three defeats in the last four games. Hardly ideal, but Watford was always going to be a tough ask.
Jaden Philogene's match-winning cameo off the bench against Rotherham United earned him a recall to the starting XI for the first time since the defeat by Huddersfield Town on September 17, the last match Steve Morison took charge of.
That meant it was his first start under interim boss Mark Hudson, with Sheyi Ojo having been relegated to the bench.
The only other change saw Mahlon Romeo, who has been impressive all season and made an impact off the bench on Saturday, come in instead of Tom Sang, who had to settle for a place on the bench.
None of the injured players managed to make a comeback, most notably Rubin Colwill, who was absent once again with the World Cup clock ticking. He, and Cardiff, hope he recovers from his hip-flexor issue very sharpish.
With or without the attacking prowess of Colwill, Cardiff's attacking play clicked right from the off. They put Watford under pressure and started the better of the two sides without a shadow of doubt.
The Bluebirds' forward play earned an early corner, not usually much of an attacking threat for opposition teams this season, with Cardiff having not scored a goal from a corner all season. That was to change, though.
Joe Ralls curled in a delightful ball and the yellow shirts appeared to dissipate in the box, leaving the towering figure of Kipre alone just six yards from goal. He needed no second invitation and his powerful header nestled into the back of the Hornets' net.
It was, unfortunately for the Bluebirds, the shot in the arm Watford needed and the visiting side hit back strongly. Just minutes later it looked as though they had grabbed an equaliser when Mario Gaspar's shot flew past Ryan Allsop at the near post, however goalscorer Kipre was on hand, and on the line, to clear in the nick of time.
Get your brilliant 48-page Wales at the World Cup preview special
But it was the first warning shot from Slaven Bilic's team and they continued to crank up the heat on Cardiff's goal.
Joao Pedro caused the odd stir with shots from 20 yards, which Allsop was equal to, but it seemed a matter of time before Watford restored parity.
When they did, just seven minutes before the break, it was almost a carbon copy of Cardiff's goal. Ken Sema sent in an inviting cross from the corner and Sierralta rose above Perry Ng before heading home. In truth, Cardiff couldn't wait to hear that half-time whistle blow.
The hosts almost started the second half with a bang, though, via the dancing feet of Philogene. The Aston Villa loanee embarked on a run down the right before chopping inside Sierralta and then skinning Hassane Kamara. He let off a bending shot towards the far corner, but was denied by the very tips of Daniel Bachmann's fingers.
But normal service resumed for the visitors after that. They grew more dangerous with each passing attack and their set-piece threat was too much for City to handle. Just before the hour mark, Sema sent in another rasping cross from the corner, which flicked off Kipre's head and into Sarr, who knew nothing about it, and the ball bounced off him into City's net.
Cardiff tried to hit back, chiefly through Philogene, who grew in confidence and importance as the game opened up. Another rasping, left-footed effort of his sailed by the post, before he set up Sheyi Ojo for Cardiff's best chance of equalising.
Philogene slotted a pinpoint ball through, beyond the Watford backline, and Ojo latched on to it, but the substitute's effort was saved well by Bachmann.
And like that, Cardiff's chances were gone. A valiant effort in the end, but there will likely be few complaints about the result.
Cardiff City XI: Allsop; Romeo (Watters 90), Ng, Kipre, Nkounkou; Wintle, Rinomhota (Sawyers 68), Ralls; Philogene, Harris (Etete 68), O'Dowda (Ojo 68).
Subs: Alnwick, Nelson, Sang.
Watford XI: Bachmann; Gaspar, Troost-Ekong, Sierralta, Kamara; Gosling, Kayembe; Sarr, Pedro, Sema (Asprilla 90); Bayo (Hungbo 79).
Subs: Okoye, Dele-Bashiru, Kabasele, Pollock, Morris.
Attendance: 17,036
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Re: ' A REPORTERS VIEW / CARDIFF CITY TONIGHT '
Thu Nov 03, 2022 8:56 am
Set-pieces proved key in south Wales as Watford came from behind to beat Cardiff City 2-1, with all three goals scored from corners.
BBC
The Bluebirds' early pressure was rewarded as the unmarked Cedric Kipre headed in from Joe Ralls' corner.
Watford deservedly levelled as their own towering centre-back, Francisco Sierralta, got on the end of Ken Sema's corner to head past Ryan Allsop.
The ever-dangerous Ismaila Sarr scored the winner with his shoulder.
Cardiff almost found a late equaliser when Jaden Philogene and Sheyi Ojo combined well before the former Liverpool man burst into the Watford box, only for his chance to be smothered by Hornets keeper Daniel Bachmann.
Victory moves Watford up into the Championship play-off places while Cardiff drop a place to 18th.
After putting south Wales derby defeat behind them with victory over Rotherham, Cardiff took the game to Watford in the opening stages.
Austria international goalkeeper Bachmann attempted to turn away from the onrushing Mark Harris two minutes in and almost gifted Cardiff the perfect start, but eventually did just enough to clear.
Edo Kayembe's back pass was then under hit but Bachmann was off his line quickly enough to deny Callum O'Dowda.
Cardiff's pressure eventually told as William Troost-Ekong lost Kipre and the West Bromwich Albion loanee claimed the Bluebirds' first goal direct from a corner this season.
The Hornets responded well and a nice corner routine led to Joao Pedro shooting through a crowd of bodies, his effort came off the post before Mario Gaspar's deflected follow-up was cleared off the line by Kipre.
Centre-back Cedric Kipre's opening goal for Cardiff City was his first for the Bluebirds
Cardiff's Mahlon Romeo, back in the starting 11 after injury, looked to play a ball across his own area which was picked up by Pedro, but his tame effort was easily saved Allsop.
Dan Gosling was next to go close, curling an effort wide from the edge of the area, before Watford were finally rewarded for their dominance.
In similar fashion to Cardiff's opener, Watford's Chilean international defender Sierralta rose highest to head home Sema's corner to claim his first goal of season.
The travelling fans sensed another goal before half-time, and it almost came when Sema's low effort forced a smart save by Allsop.
Back in the starting side after his winner against Rotherham, Philogene got the better of Sierralta early in the second half, twisting and turning into the Watford box before forcing a diving save from Bachmann.
At the other end the returning Gaspar's delivery was completely misread by Allsop, who came rushing out of his area only to be caught in no man's land. Luckily for Cardiff's goalkeeper, Vakoun Bayo could not stretch far enough to make contact.
Watford continued to threaten, especially from set-pieces, and Sierralta almost had a second but failed to make clear contact with a header.
An increasingly frustrated home crowd watched on as Cardiff failed to keep possession.
Watford were almost gifted a second when a long bouncing ball was not dealt with by Cardiff, but Pedro could not get the ball under his spell despite Allsop's initial fumble.
But Watford were not made to wait much longer, as Sarr got on the end of Sema's delivery, and despite not knowing much about it, turned the ball home for his sixth goal of the campaign.
Watford winger Ismaila Sarr joined the Hornets from Stade Rennais in 2019 for a free in the region of £30m
Cardiff interim manager Mark Hudson had seen enough and made three changes, bringing on Kion Etete, Romaine Sawyers and Ojo.
The Bluebirds were better after the changes, and Philogene almost scored his second spectacular goal in a week but, after beating three Watford defenders, watched as his shot drifted wide.
Troost-Ekong drilled a long-range free-kick wide of the post as Watford continued to threaten on the break, while Ryan Wintle and Philogene saw efforts deflected behind.
Cardiff continued to be patient in their build-up play as they searched for a late reply, and they almost found one as Ojo was denied.
Five minutes of injury time meant a nervy finish for the visitors, with the Watford technical area crowded at all times by Slaven Bilic's staff appealing for every decision, but the Hornets held on for a third successive win.
BBC
The Bluebirds' early pressure was rewarded as the unmarked Cedric Kipre headed in from Joe Ralls' corner.
Watford deservedly levelled as their own towering centre-back, Francisco Sierralta, got on the end of Ken Sema's corner to head past Ryan Allsop.
The ever-dangerous Ismaila Sarr scored the winner with his shoulder.
Cardiff almost found a late equaliser when Jaden Philogene and Sheyi Ojo combined well before the former Liverpool man burst into the Watford box, only for his chance to be smothered by Hornets keeper Daniel Bachmann.
Victory moves Watford up into the Championship play-off places while Cardiff drop a place to 18th.
After putting south Wales derby defeat behind them with victory over Rotherham, Cardiff took the game to Watford in the opening stages.
Austria international goalkeeper Bachmann attempted to turn away from the onrushing Mark Harris two minutes in and almost gifted Cardiff the perfect start, but eventually did just enough to clear.
Edo Kayembe's back pass was then under hit but Bachmann was off his line quickly enough to deny Callum O'Dowda.
Cardiff's pressure eventually told as William Troost-Ekong lost Kipre and the West Bromwich Albion loanee claimed the Bluebirds' first goal direct from a corner this season.
The Hornets responded well and a nice corner routine led to Joao Pedro shooting through a crowd of bodies, his effort came off the post before Mario Gaspar's deflected follow-up was cleared off the line by Kipre.
Centre-back Cedric Kipre's opening goal for Cardiff City was his first for the Bluebirds
Cardiff's Mahlon Romeo, back in the starting 11 after injury, looked to play a ball across his own area which was picked up by Pedro, but his tame effort was easily saved Allsop.
Dan Gosling was next to go close, curling an effort wide from the edge of the area, before Watford were finally rewarded for their dominance.
In similar fashion to Cardiff's opener, Watford's Chilean international defender Sierralta rose highest to head home Sema's corner to claim his first goal of season.
The travelling fans sensed another goal before half-time, and it almost came when Sema's low effort forced a smart save by Allsop.
Back in the starting side after his winner against Rotherham, Philogene got the better of Sierralta early in the second half, twisting and turning into the Watford box before forcing a diving save from Bachmann.
At the other end the returning Gaspar's delivery was completely misread by Allsop, who came rushing out of his area only to be caught in no man's land. Luckily for Cardiff's goalkeeper, Vakoun Bayo could not stretch far enough to make contact.
Watford continued to threaten, especially from set-pieces, and Sierralta almost had a second but failed to make clear contact with a header.
An increasingly frustrated home crowd watched on as Cardiff failed to keep possession.
Watford were almost gifted a second when a long bouncing ball was not dealt with by Cardiff, but Pedro could not get the ball under his spell despite Allsop's initial fumble.
But Watford were not made to wait much longer, as Sarr got on the end of Sema's delivery, and despite not knowing much about it, turned the ball home for his sixth goal of the campaign.
Watford winger Ismaila Sarr joined the Hornets from Stade Rennais in 2019 for a free in the region of £30m
Cardiff interim manager Mark Hudson had seen enough and made three changes, bringing on Kion Etete, Romaine Sawyers and Ojo.
The Bluebirds were better after the changes, and Philogene almost scored his second spectacular goal in a week but, after beating three Watford defenders, watched as his shot drifted wide.
Troost-Ekong drilled a long-range free-kick wide of the post as Watford continued to threaten on the break, while Ryan Wintle and Philogene saw efforts deflected behind.
Cardiff continued to be patient in their build-up play as they searched for a late reply, and they almost found one as Ojo was denied.
Five minutes of injury time meant a nervy finish for the visitors, with the Watford technical area crowded at all times by Slaven Bilic's staff appealing for every decision, but the Hornets held on for a third successive win.
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Re: ' A REPORTERS VIEW / CARDIFF CITY TONIGHT '
Thu Nov 03, 2022 9:05 am
Thought we deserved at least a point against a very good, and expensive!!, Watford team.
Philogene now looking like some player though ! Will be good to see him and Robinson together.
Philogene now looking like some player though ! Will be good to see him and Robinson together.
Re: ' A REPORTERS VIEW / CARDIFF CITY TONIGHT '
Thu Nov 03, 2022 10:37 am
piledriver64 wrote:Thought we deserved at least a point against a very good, and expensive!!, Watford team.
Philogene now looking like some player though ! Will be good to see him and Robinson together.
We did deserve a point...only slack defending from corners cost us game.... took lookay stats and we matched them all the way.... it's just a shame we are missing the one thing that could see us challenging at top end league namely goalscorer? We are actually not a bad side competative in most games just missing vital ingredient as we have for years now.
Re: ' A REPORTERS VIEW / CARDIFF CITY TONIGHT '
Thu Nov 03, 2022 12:22 pm
piledriver64 wrote:Thought we deserved at least a point against a very good, and expensive!!, Watford team.
Philogene now looking like some player though ! Will be good to see him and Robinson together.
Philogene is some player and a delight to watch, I hope we can keep hold of him for a long time to come.
He needs to start every game now and it’ll be exciting to see him and Robinson together
