Bluebirds Fly Past Struggling Seagulls

City 2-0 BHA
By Chris O'Brien
February 14 2005

Peter Thorne netted a penalty and James Collins defied injury to head home as Cardiff City cruised to a 2-0 victory against Brighton and Hove Albion. It was a bore, but the Bluebirds' excellent 2005 continues.

"The Blues are Staying Up!"

I am certain I can now say that with conviction. This was a dull, drab encounter against the Withdean Stadium outfit and just over 11,000 fans paid far too much to watch it and got soaked in the process.

The rain lashed down on the Ninian Park terraces, so it was rather fitting that the Seagulls were in town. However, the battling, scavenging label such birds are tagged with was not on show from the lads on Brighton as the Bluebirds raced to a two-goal lead and then comfortably maintained the advantage. A vital three points moves Lennie Lawrence's side closer to Championship safety.

City started with the familiar 4-4-2 set-up. Neil Alexander, seemingly first-choice again after being told to find a new club, defended a back-four comprising of Rhys Weston, James Collins, Daniel Gabbidon and Chris Barker. Weston had a poor game, and I'd like to see Darren Williams return. Meanwhile, despite reports the 'Ginger Monster' Collins was fit enough to start and form the formidable centre-back partnership with his Welsh team-mate.

An attacking midfield of Junicihi Inamoto, skipper Graham Kavanagh, Jobi McAnuff and Richard Langley helped City's first-half dominance, with Alan Lee and Peter Thorne up front. Both are talented forwards but our team does seem to lack a goalscorer, a potent threat, somebody to rely on when pushing forward.

The deadlock was broken from the penalty spot. Referee Russell of St.Albans showed little hesitation in pointing to the spot after Albion's Mayo has upended Langley. Thorne did the business from 12-yards, coolly slotting the ball past Yelldell to give City an early lead.

Brighton's heads dropped and minutes later they were left with a mountain to climb. Collins headed home after rising above the visiting defenders at the far post to head home a Kavanagh free-kick. From there on, City took their foot off the gas and despite inviting attacks from Mark McGhee's side, never looked like letting the travelling side back into the game.

Three points edges City to the much-craved mediocrity of the Championship for a second successive season. In 19th, City are 7 points away from danger but do have some tricks fixtures coming up. The win puts City just one point and one place behind the Seagulls, with a crucial game in hand. A third season in England's second flight, thankfully, is on the cards now.

Full Time - Cardiff City 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Attendance - 11,400

Cardiff City: Alexander, Weston, Gabbidon, Collins, Barker, Langley, Kavanagh, Inamoto (Bullock 83), McAnuff, Thorne, Lee (Ledley 69).
Substitutes Not Used: Warner, Vidmar, Williams.

Brighton and Hove Albion: Yelldell, Reid (Harding 51), Butters, Virgo, Hinshelwood, Mayo (Hart 51), Nicolas, Carpenter, Jones (Watson 68), Knight, McCammon.
Substitutes Not Used: Hammond, May.