Bluebirds Halt Saints’ March
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September 29, 2011 TheFreshOutlook  |
Championship leaders Southampton were confined to only their second defeat of the season as they lost 2-1 to Cardiff City.
Two goals from striker Kenny Miller were enough to give Cardiff City the victory over league leaders Southampton on Wednesday night and propel the Bluebirds into the Championship play-off positions.
Cardiff, who were without as many as five first team players, took the lead after a goalless first half when Miller connected with Cardiff ‘keeper David Marshall’s long clearance. The goal was against the run of play after the Saints had looked in control.
Cardiff doubled their lead soon after, again through Miller, who smashed in an Aron Gunnarsson ball to leave the Saints wondering if it wasn’t to be their night.
Indeed, Southampton had controlled most of the game but failed time after time to convert their possession into goals. After the game Southampton manager Nigel Adkins cited his team’s dominance, despite the defeat.
“We’ve come away from home and we controlled the game,” he said. “We had six great opportunities, I watched them on DVD. It wasn’t our night.”
Southampton did manage to score through substitute Steve De Ridder, but his injury time goal was nothing but consolation for the Saints. Bluebirds manager Malky Mackay commended his team’s effort on the break after the game.
“The way they [Cardiff players] went about their work, I thought they deserved the victory,” Mackay said.
“We picked them [Southampton] off on the counter very well tonight.”
Despite the loss, the Saints remain at the top of the league due to Middlesbrough’s inability to beat Leicester, the two sides drawing 0-0 at The Riverside. Cardiff now occupy sixth position in the league.
By Luke Ryan
[Image courtesy of Jon Candy]
