Slick City Stun 10-Men Sunderland

Graham Kavanagh, Richard Langley, Daniel Gabbidon and Alan Lee - all players who were on international duty during the week - were on the scoresheet for the Bluebirds, with visiting Sunderland rarely posing a threat to Martyn Margetson in the Cardiff goal.

Despite City players in international action during mid-week, Lennie Lawrence named the same side that lost 2-1 to West Bromwich Albion last Saturday, resisting the temptation to throw Gary Croft straight back into action with the full-back now free to play after completing his 3 match suspension. John Robinson returned to the City match-day squad, but was only on the bench.

Prior to the match a minute silence was held for British footballing legend John Charles who sadly died this morning. Charles played for Cardiff City when his career was drawing to a close, and also had a number of caps for Wales and played for his country in the 1958 World Cup finals. Rest in peace. Sadly, the silence was not well observed with most of the noise coming from the both sets of supporters, which was very disappointing.

The hosts started the brighter of the two sides and it was clear from the off that the Sunderland team had one eye on their mid-week F.A Cup fifth round replay against Birmingham City at St.Andrews'. Richard Langley looked particularly dangerous in the early exchanges despite only returning from international duty on Thursday evening, forcing Mart Poom into a save from distance.

City maintained there early pressure, and on 17 minutes the Bluebirds broke the deadlock. Richard Langley, who had one of his best games in the Cardiff shirt, broke through the Sunderland defence and was on his way into the penalty area before being clattered to the ground by Sunderland's Joachim Bjorklund's. Referee Phil Crossley showed no hesitation in showing the central defender the red card. Graham Kavanagh stepped up and put the resulting free-kick into the bottom corner thanks to a fumble from Sunderland's £2,500,000 'keeper Mart Poom. The Estonian international had a poor game throughout.

Sunderland's physical striker Marcus Stewart should have levelled the scored a few minutes later when he had his close-range effort intercepted, but you always sensed there was only one winner and City doubled the advantage on the half-hour mark through Richard Langley. The Jamaican international fired the ball past Poom from a Rhys Weston cross to the delight of the 15,000 home fans at Ninian Park.

Robert Earnshaw had a couple of chances before the break to secure the game, but the Welsh international was wasteful in front of goal and had a poor day in general. Fortunately, the rest of the City team were on top form and the defence absorbed late pressure from Sunderland as the half reached its close to stop any chances of a morale boost before the break for Mick McCarthy's side.

Whatever Mick McCarthy's half-time team talk was, he obviously didn't emphasise on defence as City secured victory against the 10-men visitors only seconds into the second period. Robert Earnshaw sent a cross in for Daniel Gabbidon who turned the ball past Mart Poom from little more than inches out to secure victory for the Bluebirds.

Instead of sitting back, City who were brimming with confidence kept the pressure on Sunderland and Mart Poom was forced into making a number of saves with Peter Thorne, Willie Boland and Richard Langley all going close. The Black Cats had a handful of opportunities to give themselves a glimmer of hope, but there finishing was woeful and a side who looked very good on paper were extremely sub-standard for the entire game.

As the game reached it's climax, Lawrence made a series of substitutions over a period of a few minutes with Andrew Campbell, John Robinson and Alan Lee replacing Graham Kavanagh, Paul Parry and Rob Earnshaw. Personally, I would like to have seen Lee brought on earlier. The Irish international is not getting enough football for a player of his quality, and it must be getting frustrating for him to constantly warm the bench.

Lee took his chance in style, polishing off a highly impressive City performance with the fourth and final goal of the rout. Galway-born Lee latched onto a through ball from Andy Campbell, and used his battering-ram style to push past the Sunderland defender and slotted the ball past Mart Poom for his second goal in successive games. For the few minutes they were together, the Peter Thorne and Alan Lee partnership looked good. 

So a fantastic win for City against a Sunderland side who really weren't at the races today. The win takes City up a place into 11th, only 3 points off the play-off places but the majority of the sides above the Bluebirds have a game in hand. Sunderland remain in seventh, and have played two games less than City, which they must make count if they are to get themselves back in play-off contention.

Seeing 2,000 Mackems leaving the ground early after watching their side take a pasting was a site to be relished for the Cardiff City faithful! It was also Cardiff's first victory over a team in the top 10 this season!

Full Time - Cardiff City 4-0 Sunderland
Attendance - 17,337

Cardiff City: Margetson, Weston, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Langley, Kavanagh, Boland, Parry, Earnshaw, Thorne.
Substitutes: Lee, Campbell, Prior, Robinson, Alexander.

Sunderland AFC: Poom, Wright, Breen, Bjorklund, McCartney, Oster, McAteer, Whitley, Arca, Stewart, Kyle.
Substitutes: Williams, Byfield, Thirlwell, Alnwick, Tommy Smith.

Referee: P Crossley (Kent).

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