Neil Warnock paid tribute to Cardiff City man of the match Bobby Decordova-Reid after their 2-0 Premier League victory against Bournemouth in front of almost 32,000 spectators.
Bristol-born Decordova-Reid, playing just behind main striker Oumar Niasse, scored both Bluebirds goals on a sensational and emotional afternoon for the club.
“I’m pleased for Bobby as he missed a couple of opportunities the other night and made up for it,” said Warnock.
“His second was a cracking goal. I’m elated and proud to be Cardiff manager.”
Former Bluebirds and Wales defender Danny Gabbidon, sneaking on BT Sport, said: “Cardiff were defensively solid and Bournemouth could not get to grips with Niasse and Decordova-Reid up top.
“There is such team spirit and togetherness.
“The confidence for Decordova-Reid to score the second came from his first goal. He was onside – defender Cook thought he was offside and looked twice.”
Cardiff earned their first Premier League victory in five games (drawn one, lost three), while Bournemouth have lost their last eight away matches in all competitions.
This win was for Emiliano Sala, for Bluebirds fans and their Premier League status.
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Neil Warnock’s team played with pride, passion and intensity on an emotional occasion at Cardiff City Stadium.
Bournemouth were fresh from a 4-0 win against Chelsea, but Warnock came up with a game plan which left the Cherries looking mystified. They ran out of ideas.
The visitors had 75 per cent possession, but Cardiff had more shots (9-8) and goalkeeper Neil Warnock had only one dangerous shot to deal with.
Man of the match Bobby Decordova-Reid scored both Cardiff goals, netting the first from a penalty and a second 13 seconds into the second half.
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“I thought I was offside for the second, but carried on and thankfully I was just onside,” said Decordova-Reid. “The lads gave everything and 100 per cent we are determined to start up.”
Former Spurs and Bournemouth manager Harry Redknapp was in Cardiff, working for BT Sport as a pundit, and praised Warnock.
“The most important man was Neil, whose tactics were spot on,” said Redknapp. “ The back four were amazing. Bamba was immense.
“How is he not man of the match? Decordova-Reid deserved the award, but Bamba, too, was outstanding.
“The two full-backs (Peltier and Bennett) did really well and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
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“All over the park, Cardiff were incredible.”
Warnock was emotional and delighted at the end of the match, saying: “The players were amazing – just as they were at Arsenal.
“Bournemouth are a quality team, but we worked on our system and it worked a treat.
“We knew they would have a lot of possession, but we earned the win and, again, the Bluebirds fans were incredible.”
It was surreal occasion in front of almost 32,000 spectators.
Both teams paid tribute to Sala before kick-off. Home supporters held up yellow, white and light blue squares, paying tribute to the Argentine, who joined from Nantes.
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The two captains carried out bouquets of flowers and the Cardiff staff, from management to the media team, spread across the touchline ahead of a moment of reflection when everybody present fell silent in tribute.
When Decordova-Reid scored Cardiff’s first goal from a penalty he ran to the home dug-out and held up a T-shirt featuring an image of Sala. His Bluebirds team-mates gathered round him.
Bournemouth have produced some outstanding results this season, not least that four-goal win against Chelsea, but they could not find a way to outsmart City.
Captain Bamba and his team were almost faultless, turning on a team display of the highest order.
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The Bluebirds remain in the bottom three, but are only two points behind Newcastle, Southampton and Burnley. They are, potentially, one win from moving out of the danger zone.
City were ahead after five minutes when Bournemouth defender Steve Cook inexplicably threw up an arm and palmed away a cross. Referee Jon Moss took time to deliberate on the decision and decided it was a spot-kick.
Decordova-Reid stepped up and sent goalie Artur Boruc the wrong way.
It was the first time this season, in any competition, that Cardiff had been in front at half-time.
Bournemouth huffed and puffed, but whichever way they turned the blue wall stood tall. City stood firm.
Warnock was still finishing his half-time cup of tea when Cardiff made it 2-0. He strolled down the tunnel soon after Decordova-Reid slotted home.
“I saw it on the television screen,” said Warnock. “I knew from the cheers it was us and not them.
“We always looked like we could score going forward and that’s our seventh clean sheet.”
It was a beautifully taken goal with the visitors ripped open 13 seconds after half-time. Former Bristol City goals ace Decordova-Reid chased a hopeful Aron Gunnarsson pass and made the most of his opportunity.
Decordova-Reid admitted he thought he was offside and a Bournemouth defender clearly thought so as well. He glanced across to the linesman twice before reacting.
BT Sport replays showed Decordova-Reid was onside – Nathaniel Clyne was the guilty player – and the City forward ran past Boruc and calmly slotted into the net with defenders desperately trying to stop him.
The confidence and clinical finishing was a joy. The boy from Bristol is showing signs he can make a big impact in the top flight.
He slotted in just behind the outstanding Oumar Niasse, who looks a player who will be key in Cardiff’s survival battle.
This was Cardiff’s day. Surely, the best team performance of the season.
They set standards against Arsenal in midweek and Bournemouth that suggest they have a chance of staying up.
Cardiff City: Neil Etheridge, Lee Peltier, Bruno Ecuele Manga, Sol Bamba (capt), Joe Bennett, Callum Paterson, Aron Gunnarsson, Joe Ralls, Josh Murphy (Junior Hoilett 69), Bobby Decordova-Reid (Leandro Bacuna 86), Oumar Niasse (Kenneth Zohore 83). Subs not used: Alex Smithies (gk), Greg Cunningham, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Rhys Healey.
Bournemouth: Boruc, Clyne, S Cook, Aké, A Smith, Stanislas (Mousset 61), Gosling (Lerma 69), Surman, Fraser, King, Solanke (Ibe 61). Subs not used: Daniels, Rico, Begovic, Mepham.
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Attendance: 31,939.