Jaden Philogene’s first-half strike was enough to give Cardiff a 1-0 win over Birmingham at lunchtime on Saturday.
The 20-year-old Aston Villa hit the winning goal after just 17 minutes at the Cardiff City Stadium, connecting with a Callum O’Dowda square ball to score the club’s first goal from close range .
Cardiff were the better team before the break and should have made the game incredible, but after a penalty for both sides in the second half, John Eustace’s side couldn’t muster enough in the final third. to equalize.
Jaden Phiogene scores the winning goal for Cardiff
The Bluebirds move up to third in the Embryo Championship table ahead of the rest of the action on Saturday, with Birmingham two points behind in seventh.
How Cardiff thrives under the South Wales sunshine
With both teams knocked out of the first round of the Carabao Cup midweek, they were keen to get back to winning ways at the tournament – and Cardiff started doing that right away.
Ryan Wintle’s low shot missed the left post and John Ruddy denied both Romaine Sawyers and Max Watters with a superb save, before Phiogene’s header gave the Bluebirds the lead after catching a teasing ball. poke from O’Dowda in the penalty area.
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Jaden Phiogene put Cardiff ahead of Birmingham with a touch.
The home team continued to dominate in the wide areas and should have scored another goal before the break. Watters headed home and got a save from Ruddy as the ball passed him looking simpler, while Dion Sanderson beat him to an O’Dowda cross and cleared the ball.
Within 10 minutes of the second half, Ruddy made another clever save to deny O’Dowda, as referee Darren Bond called for a penalty for Birmingham as Scott Hogan plunged inside the box under pressure. by Cedric Kipre.
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Kion Etete missed a great opportunity with a header behind the post to widen Cardiff’s lead against Birmingham.
However, the Blues’ influence grew as the game progressed but they should have gone after two goals when rookie Kion Etete somehow headed from six yards, after Mark Harris had to move. Move to the left to find space for a cross.
In the end, Cardiff appealed for their free-kick to be denied as lively O’Dowda hit the field at the edge of the 18-yard box. In the end, however, a single goal settled the game.
Man of the Match – Callum O’Dowda
What’s next?
Birmingham head to Vicarage Road to take on Watford at 7:45pm on Tuesday 16 August, while Cardiff return to action the following evening at 8pm, when they take on West Brom at The Hawthorns.
