Cardiff City begin 2024 with away win over QPR after huge goalkeeping mistake

Cardiff City picked up a big three points away from home on New Year’s Day, defeating strugglers Queens Park Rangers in a clash defined by the two goalkeepers. The Bluebirds moved back within three points of the playoffs ahead of turning attention to the FA Cup, bouncing back from the home defeat to leaders Leicester City last time out.

Erol Bulut’s men started positively in the capital and were rewarded as early as the 16th minute when Dimitrios Goutas survived a man-handling in the box to head home a corner. QPR waited until the early stages of the second half to respond, coming out of the break with much greater intensity.

They found the equaliser seven minutes after the restart when a long ball to the far post caught Jamilu Collins out of position. Paul Smyth took care of the rest, sliding low to flick the ball home.

Cardiff responded well to the equaliser and came close on a couple of occasions. Asmir Begovic proved hard to beat until his mistake decided the game. In the 74th minute, Begovic came off his line in a bid to collect a corner and completely misjudged the flight of the ball.

After it sailed over the head of the experienced former Premier League stopper, Perry Ng nodded into the unguarded net. That would prove to be the winning goal, but Jak Alnwick in the Cardiff goal had to produce a wonder-save just under his crossbar to deny QPR three minutes into stoppage time.

Cardiff held on to take all three points back to South Wales and to start 2024 in the best way, keeping in touch with the playoffs as they attempt to strengthen the squad this winter. Attention now turns to another trip to Hillsborough this weekend, where they will face Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup third round.

Featured image: Brent Flenders // Flickr