Cardiff City produce huge defensive display to stun playoff hopefuls Coventry City

Cardiff City picked up a big away win over playoff hopefuls Coventry City on Easter Monday, coming from behind to take all three points back to South Wales.

It’s a much-needed win for the Bluebirds, who made the trip to the Midlands having lost back-to-back games either side of the international break.

Coventry took the lead in the 21st minute when, for the third time, Cardiff were opened up by the home side’s ability to draw midfielders to the ball and move the ball into space. Eli Simms slotted home from close ranger after a low cross Milan van Ewijk.

The Bluebirds equalised in the 29th minute when a knockdown from a corner found Josh Bowler, who reacted quickly to shoot, and Liam Kitching diverted the ball high into his own net. Bulut’s men remain most dangerous from set-pieces.

Grant missed huge chance after the break, slotting wide from a one-on-one he certainly should have scored. But in the 67th minute, history repeated itself somewhat when Bowler attempted to deliver a cross, and after a deflection from Luke Bidwell, Kitching again put the ball into his own net, heading invertedly into the far corner.

Coventry ramped up the pressure after that, with every point crucial for them at this point, given their proximity to the top six. But City put their bodies on the line to pick up a huge three points away from home and to come out on top in the battle of the CCFCs.

Verdict

This was a very strong performance from the Bluebirds. Coventry were shifting them from side to side early on, and the hosts scored before their visitors could get to grips with their style of play. But Bulut’s men did adjust after that, and from that point on, they put in one of their better defensive showings of the season.

This is a lively Coventry side capable of causing any team in this division problems, but Cardiff got behind the ball and defended as a unit, both after the equaliser and even more so after they got ahead. The two goals were fortunate, sure, but having struggled to create clear-cut chances all season, it wasn’t going to come any other way against a promotion-chasing opponent away from home. Goals are goals, and to secure a comeback win like this against an opponent as good as Coventry while having nothing to play for is an impressive feat.