Cardiff City were defeated by their rivals Bristol City 0-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium. The Robins put in a typical smash and grab away performance as they scored the only goal of the game with their one shot on target.  

Cardiff team news

Cardiff reverted back to their usual 4-2-3-1 formation for this game. As apposed to the previous encounter, where they utilized a 4-4-2 style successfully in a 3-0 win against Barnsley.

Robert Glatzel was described as unwell by manager Neil Harris with Sheyi Ojo replacing the German in the sides only change.

Bristol City team news

As for Bristol City, they deployed a 4-3-3 formation. This style was instrumental in the sides comeback win against Huddersfield Town

Antoine Semenyo along with Jamie Patterson came into the side, replacing veteran Chris Brunt and Tommy Rowe..

First Half

Cardiff City came into this fixture following their first home win of the season on Tuesday night. In comparison, Bristol City only have one win in their last six Championship games after a strong start to the season.

Cardiff have picked up a bad habit as of late, conceding the first goal in many games thus far this season and that trend continued here.

Chris Martin scored his first league goal for Bristol City inside the second minute, knocking in from close range. The assist coming from Semenyo. Cardiff were caught with players out of position allowing an overlap down the left hand side which Bristol exploited.

Cardiff’s best chance of the half came from a corner. All corners seemed to be aimed in direction of Kieffer Moore at the far post, where he headed the ball towards goal and Robins keeper Daniel Bentley made a finger tip save.

Once again, another big chance for the home side came from a corner. The ball was met by Moore but the header this time was off target. A poor effort considering he is normally so lethal in the air.

The home side had the height advantage in this one, therefore pilling constant aerial attacks onto the Bristol City defence. The Robins struggled to cope but came away unsaved.

Harry Wilson and Leandro Baccuna had shots from outside the box that didn’t pose too much of a issue to the away sides goal.

This was the end of the first half. The way the game was going at this point, Cardiff would of at least expected a draw.

Second Half

Bristol City did well to prevent any clear cut chances from Cardiff for the majority of the second half. The home side were forced into making a tactical change in the 63rd minute.

Cardiff changed to a 4-4-2 formation putting Robert Glatzel on the pitch, replacing Sheyi Ojo.

The change in system saw Wilson moved out to the right hand side. Joe Bennett put a good cross into the box which Wilson met forcing Bentley into making the save.

Wilson would then receive the ball on the right flank, surprisingly crossing with his weaker right foot. junior Hoilett would meet the cross, flicking the ball to Joe Ralls who blazed over the bar.

Bristol sat back inviting pressure from the Bluebirds. The most obvious threat now being the counter attack leaving the pacey Naki Wells up top.

Josh Murphy would soon replace Hoilett, with the former Norwich winger looking to prove a point. This did not change much in terms of the pattern of play as Cardiff continued to struggle breaking the defence down.

The away side maintained a good shape and Cardiff lacked that cutting edge. Baccuna skewed a shot well wide late on and that’s as good as it got for Cardiff.

The referee blew for full time as Neil Harris was left frustrated. The win moves Bristol City into second place and leaves Cardiff in thirteenth.

Overall Summary

This fixture holds huge significance to both sets of supporters. Former managers Neil Warnock and Lee Johnson departed from their respective roles following poor results in this fixture last season. This proving how important a good result here could of been for Cardiff.

Without the fans, the derby lacked that special something. With no supporters in the ground it really does take away from the spectacle.

Daniel Bentley had only kept 2 clean sheets in his previous 22 Championship games. Neil Harris will not be happy about failing to put even more pressure on the goalkeeper.

With seventeen shots and only five on target, Cardiff need to become more clinical in front of goal. They may of put three past a weak Barnsley side, but they could of been playing until next week and still would not of scored in this one. When push came to shove, Cardiff failed to come up with the goods.

The international break is coming up, leaving Harris to stew over this result for two weeks. The Bluebirds return to action on the 21st of November facing a tough trip to Millwall.

Harris would love to get one over on his former side, the three points much needed after this poor result.