Championship
Cardiff
Aug 22, 2015 5.15pm
2
0
HT : 1 0
FT
Wolves
  • Kagisho Dikagoci 28' yellowcard
  • Kenwyne Jones 44' goal
  • Sammy Ameobi 60' goal
  • Sean Morrison 92' yellowcard
  • yellowcard Conor Coady 33'

Live Commentary: Cardiff City 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers - as it happened

By | , Last updated:

Cardiff City 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers - as it happened

Cardiff City picked up their first Championship win of the season by comfortably seeing off Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 in South Wales.

The visitors struggled to find their groove throughout, with their only two chances coming inside the opening 45 minutes.

Kenwyne Jones put the Bluebirds on their way with his header on the brink of half time, before replacement Sammy Ameobi opened his own account for the campaign by slotting home a second.

Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of events from the Cardiff City Stadium below.

7.14pmWell that brings to a close our coverage of fixtures from the Premier League and Football League for today, but be sure to stick around with plenty of action from across Europe still to come before the night is out. Thanks for joining!

7.12pmThe visitors struggled to find their groove throughout, with their only two openings coming inside the opening 45 minutes. Kenwyne Jones put the Bluebirds on their way with his header on the brink of half time, before replacement Sammy Ameobi opened his own account for the campaign by slotting home a second.

7.10pmMason had a one-on-one right at the death, but his shot was struck straight at Ikeme. It matters little, though, as Cardiff have done more than enough to pick up maximum points.

90+5 minFULL TIME: CARDIFF CITY 2-0 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

90+4 minCardiff successfully defend the free kick, which should be the last meaningful action of the match.

90+3 minYELLOW CARD! Morrison gets in the way of Iorfa, earning himself a late booking in the process.

90+1 minWe have played one of four added minutes at the Cardiff City Stadium, and Wolves are still yet to ask any questions of their opponents.

90 minDicko's shot is hit straight at Morrison in the Cardiff defence. That was a rare break forward from the visitors, which has come far too late to offer hope.

89 minCARDIFF SUB! Fabio, arguably Cardiff's man of the match today, hobbles off the pitch. The returning Bruno Ecuele Manga is on in his place.

87 minAfobe, who has not been given a single sight of goal all match, charges at a wall of blue shirts before being muscled out. Wolves do earn themselves a corner, though, which Henry horribly miscues over the bar.

85 minWe have seen plenty of late goals in Cardiff fixtures already this term, yet there is no sign of another being added today. The sooner that full-time whistle blows the better.

82 minWhittingham is a matter of inches away from providing the pass of the season, which just had a little too much on it for Mason to latch on to. Cardiff under no trouble whatsoever, as we enter the final eight minutes of this timid affair.

80 minIorfa produces an inch-perfect cross form the right, which none of his teammates really gambled on. It sums up Wolves' day in many ways; the rare glimmer of hope but absolutely no end product.

78 minFabio is currently down suffering from cramp. The Brazilian full-back, in for bed-bound Scott Malone this evening, has put in a superb shift.

76 minCardiff are just happy to let Wolves knock the ball around, without really causing any trouble. Marshall has had nothing to do all evening and, bar a couple of chances in the first half, Wolves supporters have had absolutely nothing to get them out of their seats. Fourteen minutes left to play in South Wales.

73 minCLOSE! The best moment of the second half by quite some distance, as Ameobi takes on one player, cuts inside another with a sublime flick, and curls an effort a foot wide of the post. That goal has given the Newcastle United loanee a huge confidence boost.

71 minAs things stand, this victory - Cardiff's first of the season - will take them up to seventh place. Wolves, on the other hand, remain in 17th place.

69 minSlade will not feel too relaxed unless his side bag a third goal, but it is so far so good for the Bluebirds. In terms of chances, this second half has been extremely quiet.

67 minOf course, just seven days ago Cardiff bounced back from two goals down to rescue a draw, while Wolves threw away the same advantage to lose 3-2 against QPR. Still plenty to play for, but Wanderers really need to improve their all-round performance if that is to be the case.

65 minThat Cardiff goal was pretty much the only chance of the contest since Jones put the Bluebirds ahead at the end of the first half. It certainly hasn't been a classic, but the hosts are good value for their advantage.

63 minWOLVES SUBS! A little later than expected, Jackett makes a double change. McDonald and Ojo are off; ouha Dicko and James Henry. Will that provide Wolves with a much-needed boost?

62 minIt's the simplest of goals for Ameobi, who has his first Cardiff goal just minutes after being introduced. Dikgacoi headed Whittingham's corner into a central position, and the substitute fired home to double his side's lead. Really poor defending from the visitors.

61 minGOAL! CARDIFF CITY 2-0 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (AMEOBI)

60 minAmeobi offers a totally different threat to the man he has just replaced, and already his pace has won a cheap corner from Ebanks-Landell. Dikgacoi met the corner, but failed to keep his attempt down.

58 minCARDIFF SUB! Indeed, it is Ameobi who comes on in place of injured goalscorer Jones. His Cardiff City career has yet to get up and running since joining on loan in the summer.

57 minJones has decided that he can no longer continue, which is a big blow for the Bluebirds. Ameobi is the man readying himself on the touchline.

56 minKenwyne Jones's goal is still the difference as we approach the hour mark. He is now back out on the field after that earlier Hause challenge.

54 minJones is in some pain down on the touchline after that challenge by Hause. It was more to do with the landing by the looks of it, and his evening could very well be over.

52 minCardiff are threatening to really click into gear now, as Stearman heads away a dangerous Fabio cross. Pilkington then got down the other wing, cutting the ball back for Jones who was out-muscled by Hause. Good play from the Bluebirds, and equally good defending.

50 minWhittingham is left a little frustrated when he has no forward pass on. Mason did eventually make himself open, but he was standing in an offside position.

48 minA tame start to the half and a rather subdued atmosphere around the Cardiff City Stadium. Afobe has just gone down inside the box, but it was more to do with him losing his footing rather than the strength of Morrison.

46 minRESTART! We are back underway in South Wales. Cardiff City lead Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 thanks to a late Kenwyne Jones goal in that first half.

6.21pmNo changes to bring you from the break, with both managers opting to stick with what they have. The players are now back on the field, so let's get straight back to it.

6.18pmHere is a reminder of both sides' benches at the break. It would be a surprise if Jackett doesn't change things around slightly at the interval, while Slade may be tempted to replace Dikgacoi. CARDIFF SUBS: Moore, Ecuele Manga, Gunnarsson, Noone, Ameobi, Doyle, Revell WOLVES SUBS: Martinez, Golbourne, Doherty, Price, Henry, Dicko, Enobakhare

6.15pmThe best two chances actually fell the way of the visiting side; Edwards firing over an early chance before Ebanks-Landell headed over from close range late in the half. It is Cardiff who lead at the break, though, thanks to that Jones goal 44 minutes in.

6.12pmPrior to that, Mason had a goal ruled out after kicking the ball out of Ikeme's hands. It was a little harsh on the City striker, but the officials perhaps deserve some credit for making the big call. The Bluebirds' only other chance fell to Mason 20 minutes in, but his angled shot was kept out by Ikeme between the sticks.

6.09pmKenwyne Jones's header right before the break is the difference so far, coming after Ikeme rushed out to clear a cross but got nowhere near it. The slightest of glances from the Trinidad forward took it into an unguarded net to give Cardiff a lead that they will argue is fully deserve.

6.06pmIt was hardly the liveliest opening 45 minutes you are likely to see, especially compared to last night's clash between Birmingham and Derby, but we certainly have plenty of talking points at the break.

45+2 minHALF TIME: CARDIFF CITY 1-0 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

45+1 minIt was as route one as you are going to get, but if it works then why not?! Cardiff probably just about deserve that goal, which has come at the worst possible time for Wolves.

45 minOh dear - it's another goalkeeping error as far as Wolves are concerned. A lofted cross into the box is not met by the outrushing Ikeme - only in the side because of Martinez's horror show in midweek - which allows the slightest of touches from the head of Jones to guide the ball home.

44 minGOAL! CARDIFF CITY 1-0 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (JONES)

43 minThat is the visitors' best chance of the match so far without question, while the home side have had just the one real opening of their own. It is certainly a well-balanced affair in South Wales.

41 minCHANCE! It looked as though McDonald had dragged a shot horribly wide, but it did in fact take a little deflection on its way through. The corner is taken short, lofted up perfectly by Ojo for Ebanks-Landell at the back post, but he somehow headed over from close range.

39 minI don't think I've mentioned Afobe once so far this evening. The service to him has been non-existent, which Jackett may look to alter at the interval.
© Getty Images

37 minDikgacoi is living extremely dangerously. The defensive midfielder, already with a booking to his name, lunged in on an opponent to provide many grasps around the stadium. One more foul like that and he is off.

35 minPilkington's delivery really is a fine weapon to possess. The wideman this time swings in a cross for Jones, which is narrowly overhit. Cardiff in the ascendency but still without a goal.

33 minYELLOW CARD! Some patient Cardiff play ends with Mason trapping Whittingham's pass and feeling the full force of Coady. That has levelled up the caution count.

31 minA superb Pilkington cross, right in between that space between goalkeeper and defence, goes right the way through without a touch. Cardiff very much the side on top now.

29 minYELLOW CARD! Dikgacoi fouls Coady to earn himself the game's first booking. Looking at a replay of that Mason 'goal', it did seem rather harsh. A big talking point, certainly.

27 minDISALLOWED! The home supporters thought they had just seen a breakthrough goal, but Mason's tap-in has been ruled out. Wolves failed to clear a cross, but the officials adjudged that Mason had illegally kicked the ball out of Ikeme's hands.

26 minSHOT! Moments after that half-chance for Edwards, Jones has just seen his heavily-deflected shot end over the bar. Cardiff perhaps upping the tempo a little now.

25 minWolves have seemingly dropped off the tempo in their last two outings, meanwhile, which doesn't bode all that well for today. They have just created a half-chance; Ojo again picking out Edwards to fire over the bar.

24 minCasting the mind back to last week, Cardiff dominated possession up at Loftus Road. No sign of that at the moment, however, which is a truer case of the Bluebirds as a whole under the tenure of Russell Slade.

22 minCould that be the opening this contest needed to help it spring to life? Cardiff certainly haven't used it as a springboard to push on in the moments since, with Wolves now hogging possession.

20 minSAVE! The first real attempt of the game comes via the boot of Mason. Ralls poked the ball through to his teammate, who looked to open up his body and tuck it beyond the reach of the returning Ikeme from a somewhat tight angle. There was no way through, though, with the Wolves keeper down well to keep it out.

18 minThe attendance inside the Cardiff City Stadium has increased from the opening-day draw against Fulham, but supporters have had nothing to cheer at the moment. In fact, the Sky Sports cameras have just zoomed in on a yawning Sammy Ameobi.

16 minI can't stress just how scrappy this opening quarter to the game has been so far. It has been poor from both sides, with neither seemingly able to string more than a few passes together.

14 minThis scrappy opening continues, as Mason runs well offside when attempting to latch on to a through-ball. Far more needs to be done from both teams if we are to see a breakthrough.

12 minIt's been a quiet start to things overall, bar that Edwards chance inside the opening few minutes. Cardiff the side knocking the ball around with a little more intention now.

10 minCardiff getting more into things now, with Jones and Mason linking up in attack. Both sides have been a little sloppy on the ball, in truth, though Wolves did create that decent early opening through Ojo.

8 minJones is looking well off the pace at the moment, which perhaps explains Slade's reasoning for sticking with Revell across these first four league and cup games. Cardiff yet to find their rhythm in these opening eight minutes.

6 minAll the danger is being caused by the visitors at the moment, as Edwards bursts through on goal. Connolly had a little nibble, but the midfielder stayed on his feet and was only halted when Marshall charged out to collect an overhit touch.

4 minCHANCE! A decent early opening for Wolves, which is created by one of those who has been brought into the fold. Ojo charged down the left before cutting the ball back for Edwards, who turned inside the box but could not find the target.

3 minBenik Afobe is without question the standout player on that field this evening. He has scored or assisted nine goals in his last 10 outings, and is one of those to survive Jackett's cull from last time out.

1 minKICKOFF! We are now underway at the Cardiff City Stadium, following a minute's applause for Bluebirds supporter Gareth Seville, who tragically passed away earlier this week.

5.16pmSo two changes for Cardiff, then, while Wolves are much-changed from last time out with four alterations of their own. Here we go!

5.14pmPREDICTION! Both sets of players are now out on the field, with kickoff just moments away. We have seen plenty of drama across the Football League already today, leaving Cardiff down in 18th place and Wolves in 15th. A win would make a huge difference to both sides, of course, while defeat will paint a rather bleak picture. I'm going to predict a fourth-successive draw for the Bluebirds.

5.12pmThe heavens have well and truly opened up over the last 30 minutes in South Wales, providing some horrible conditions for both sets of players. It has been a warm day overall, so the pitch shouldn't be too waterlogged with this wet spell hopefully passing by.

5.10pmPREVIOUS MEETINGS! The Bluebirds have lost three of the last four fixtures between these sides in South Wales. Wanderers have also failed to score in just one of their last 11 trips to Cardiff, so the omens certainly look good from their perspective.

5.08pmDID YOU KNOW? Wolves have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 league games. They come up against a Cardiff side who have now gone six games without defeat, stretching back to the end of last season.

5.06pmFor Cardiff, on the other hand, it is a question of glass half full or half empty? Three games, three draws, three points. Unbeaten but also without a win. In many ways, today's result will determine whether those draws were indeed good results, with a win here making the picture look a lot brighter at this stage.

5.04pmWell Wolves sit higher in the early league standings than their opponents, but they head into this contest on the back of a disappointing defeat at the hands of QPR last time out. It's a win, a draw and a defeat for Wanderers in all, but the sliding scale of those results - WDL - suggests that Jackett really needs to get his players back in the groove of things.

5.02pmThe setting for Saturday's late kickoff in the Championship:

5.00pmSome encouraging news for Cardiff, as defender Bruno Ecuele Manga is among the matchday squad for the first time this season. Craig Noone, scorer of two goals already this season, must make do with a place on the bench. In terms of the visitors, Scott Golbourne, Nouha Dicko and James Henry all join Martinez among the back-ups.

4.58pmBENCH WATCH! CARDIFF SUBS: Moore, Ecuele Manga, Gunnarsson, Noone, Ameobi, Doyle, Revell WOLVES SUBS: Martinez, Golbourne, Doherty, Price, Henry, Dicko, Enobakhare

4.57pmThat is one of four changes for the visiting side, with Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Rajiv van la Parra and Sheyi Ojo also being welcomed back. The defence looked shaky when conceding three times against QPR in midweek, so the introduction of Ebanks-Landell makes sense, while Sheyi Ojo will provide some much-needed width.

4.55pmThe big news in terms of the visitors' lineup this evening concerns Kenny Jackett's decision to bring Carl Ikeme back into the fold. It was a little surprising to see him left out last week against Hull City, but a poor display in midweek by Arsenal loanee Emiliano Martinez sees him drop out and Ikeme come back into the fold.

4.53pmThere is another new face in that Cardiff lineup, too, as Fabio comes in at full-back. He replaces Scott Malone at the back - the man who smashed a dramatic equaliser seven days ago. David Marshall skippers the side once more, while Anthony Pilkington and Joe Ralls are again favoured in wide areas.

4.51pmStarting with the home side, then, and Russell Slade has decided to leave Alex Revell out of the starting lineup for the first time this season. Some underwhelming displays from the Rotherham United forward see him drop out, with Kenwyne Jones given the nod for the first time this term.

4.49pmTEAM NEWS! CARDIFF XI: Marshall; Fabio, Peltier, Morrison, Connolly; Whittingham, Dikgacoi, Ralls, Pilkington; Jones, Mason WOLVES XI: Ikeme; Iorfa, Stearman, Ebanks-Landell, Hause; Van La Parra, McDonald, Coady, Ojo Edwards; Afobe

4.48pmBoth managers have made some interesting selection decisions this evening, so let's take a look at the team news from South Wales in some more depth.

4.47pmWolves have an impressive record in South Wales of late, which they will be hoping to prolong this evening in order to return to winning ways. Their defeat at Ipswich Town last time out dented what had been a decent enough start, while Cardiff have drawn three in a row.

4.45pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship meeting between Cardiff City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. It has been another busy day of action in the Football League, with this fixture bringing the weekend's fixtures to a close.
Author photo

Written by

Share this article:

People mentioned in this article :

Teams mentioned in this article :

Cardiff City related articles
Football related articles
Subscribe to our newsletter

Get FREE daily news and in-depth previews for games from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football — straight to your inbox.

Subscribe