Cardiff City hammer Blackburn Rovers to extend lead in Championship

Cardiff City have extended their lead at the top of the Championship table with a comfortable 4-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Craig Bellamy, Joe Mason and Kim Bo-Kyung all scored second-half goals for the visitors after Josh King had cancelled out Mark Hudson's opener.

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Jordan Rhodes had an early opportunity for the hosts, but the striker hesitated when through on goal before he was closed down by the visiting defence.

The away side eventually made the breakthrough on 30 minutes thanks to Hudson's thumping header past Paul Robinson following a teasing delivery from Craig Noone.

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Cardiff came within inches of doubling their lead in the final moments of the half as Bellamy's drive came back off the crossbar.

Blackburn got themselves on terms six minutes into the second half when King showed plenty of composure to slot the ball through the legs of David Marshall.

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However, the visitors were back in front moments later after Bellamy's control allowed him to finish emphatically past Robinson.

The home side missed a glorious opportunity to get level again, but Mauro Formica saw his close-range effort clip the crossbar before going over.

As Blackburn pushed for an equaliser, Cardiff sealed the win with five minutes left to play when Joe Mason fired past Robinson following Marshall's long ball upfield.

Malky Mackay's side wrapped up the victory soon after as substitute Kim Bo-Kyung guided his shot into the bottom corner.