Bluebirds Turn On The Style To Crush Rivals Brighton

Bluebirds captain Sean Morrison says new manager always injects energy into a club. Pic: Getty Images.

Bluebirds Turn On The Style To Crush Rivals Brighton

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Brighton 0, Cardiff City 2

It was a night for more than 1,800 Bluebirds fans to savour. Cardiff City produced one of their best performances this season to beat relegation rivals Brighton at their Amex Stadium home in Sussex.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and captain Sean Morrison scored the goals to spark wild scenes of celebration in the away end.

Cardiff are now two points behind Brighton in the Premier League and it looks a straight shootout between the two as they battle to avoid the third relegation spot.

The visitors controlled midfield, playing with a fast tempo, composure and a swagger which shows they are still in with a chance of staying up.

“A few pundits said this would be our final game in the Premier League, but we are alive and kicking,” said City manager Neil Warnock.”We deserved our win. If we had been more clinical in the final third we could have created more.

“Before the game I said: ‘Wow, it’s great. With five games to go, we’ve been written off’. 

“I asked where we were five years ago and we were at Derby trying to stay in the Championship. I can’t say anything better about the players. They have been great for me.

“We came out of the traps and enjoyed it. We are far from finished yet.”

Brighton manager Chris Hughton said: “We have a fight on our hands. This is a proper fight. 

“We have to make sure we turn it round by staying together, digging deep and making ourselves hard to beat.

Neil Warnock anf Chris Hughton. Pic: Getty Images.

“It’s still in our hands, but it is a difficult feeling because of the result. My job is to lift spirits, give us a chance. The players know if we are to stay up we have to pick up results and the only way to do that by showing resilience and quality.”

Aron Gunnarsson was a powerhouse in midfield for 63 minutes before he was forced off with a back problem and he told BBC Wales: “We never give up. 

“This was about us pulling together and we fought for each other. This puts pressure on Brighton.

“We have a tough game on Sunday (v Liverpool, home), but this was a good performance and a welcome three points.

“Mendy (Mendez-Laing) pulled out something special with his goal, putting his shot into the top corner.

“In the second half we defended well and minimised Brighton’s chances. Overall it was a terrific performance.”

Former Cardiff City and Wales defender Danny Gabbidon was at the match on BBC Wales duty and said: “Cardiff’s performance was as good as you will see from any team.

“What a team display. They were positive, full of energy, playing on the front foot. Cardiff knocked Brighton out of their stride.

“It’s a lifeline, a massive result for Neil Warnock’s players.

“The two central defenders, Sean Morrison and Bruno Manga, were outstanding. When your centre-backs play like that, dominating strikers, it sets the tone for the whole team.

“Cardiff dominated. If they can play to the same level against Liverpool on Sunday they will give them a good game. It’s a great boost in confidence.”

The Seagulls, beaten 5-0 at home against Bournemouth last weekend, looked shellshocked as City stayed focused, kept their discipline and maintained control for long periods.

Manager Neil Warnock made three changes to City’s starting line-up. Joe Ralls, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Oumar Niasse stepped up, while Josh Murphy, Kenneth Zohore and the injured Harry Arter missed out.

Brighton have now lost their last five matches and they were well below par. They look in trouble – and that gives the Bluebirds hope.

Mendez-Laing struck a mighty blow for the Bluebirds when he started and finished the move which led to the first goal.

Ralls won a crucial challenge inside his own half and Mendez-Laing took possession. His run was direct and he first forward before playing a pass out to Junior Hoilett, who returned the ball to his team-mate as he continued pressing forward.

Mendez-Laing cut inside and produced a sweet finish, curling his right-foot shot past goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

Cardiff struck again five minutes after the break when Victor Camarasa’s exquisite delivery at a set-piece picked out Morrison, who lost marker Lewis Dunk headed back across goal and past Ryan.

Defeat against Cardiff was a massive blow for Brighton and many home supporters were leaving the stadium well before the end.

Glenn Murray hit a post near the end, but Cardiff held on for a win which keeps alive hopes of staying up. 

Neil Warnock went over to Bluebirds fans, applauding the travelling faithful and finishing by punching the air in delight.

Now Warnock’s team focus on one of the toughest tests in Premier League football – against Liverpool in front of a sell-out attendance at Cardiff City Stadium.

Brighton: Mathew Ryan, Bruno, Shane Duffy, Lewis Dunk, Bernardo, Pascall Gross (Florin Andone 53), Dale Stephens, Davy Pröpper, Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Jose Izquierdo 69), Glenn Murray, Solly March. Subs not used: Gaetan Bong, Baram Kayal, Jurgen Locadia, David Button (gk), Dan Burn.

Cardiff City: Neil Etheridge, Lee Peltier, Sean Morrison (capt), Bruno Manga, Joe Bennett, Aron Gunnarsson (Leandro Bacuna 53), Joe Ralls, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (Kadeem Harris 80), Victor Camarasa, Junior Hoilett, Oumar Niasse (Kenneth Zohore 85). Subs not used: Josh Murphy, Bobby Decordova-Reid, Brian Murphy (gk), Rhys Healey.

Referee: Andre Marriner

Attendance: 30,226.

Cardiff’s remaining fixtures
21 April: Liverpool (home)
27 April: Fulham (away)
4 May: Crystal Palace (home)
12 May: Man United (away)
Brighton’s remaining fixtures
20 April: Wolves (away)
23 April: Spurs (away)
27 April: Newcastle (home)
4 May: Arsenal (away)
12 May: Man City (home)
Premier Division table

Team P GD Pts
1 Liverpool 34 57 85
2 Man City 33 64 83
3 Tottenham 33 30 67
4 Arsenal 33 26 66
5 Chelsea 34 21 66
6 Man Utd 33 19 64
7 Leicester 34 1 47
8 Wolves 33 -1 47
9 Everton 34 2 46
10 Watford 33 -1 46
11 West Ham 34 -10 42
12 Bournemouth 34 -12 41
13 Crystal Palace 34 -6 39
14 Burnley 34 -18 39
15 Newcastle 34 -11 38
16 Southampton 33 -15 36
17 Brighton 33 -21 33
18 Cardiff 34 -33 31
19 Fulham 34 -44 20
20 Huddersfield 34 -48 14

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