Rearguard action earns Cardiff vital South Wales Derby victory

Aden Flint’s early header proved enough for Cardiff City as they held on for a 1-0 win against their bitter rivals Swansea City.

Flint and his defensive partners starred as Swansea failed to break through their solid unit.

The match was preceded with some excellent solidarity shown for Cardiff’s Sol Bamba – who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma recently. There was also a minutes’ silence well observed for victims of the COVID-19 pandemic, following the one year anniversary of lockdown.

Swansea started the better of the two sides, with an early free-kick tipped wide by Phillips, despite it likely heading that way without his influence.

Cardiff struggled to find fluidity early, but their first opportunity came through Leandro Bacuna. The former Aston Villa man, playing in a more advanced role for Mick McCarthy’s men, stung the fingers of a long-barriered Freddie Woodman.

Barring prosessional domination (70% in the first half), Swansea failed to test Phillips with any shot on target. At the other end, however, set-pieces paid off.

The long throw of Will Vaulks reeked havoc amongst the Swans’ backline, with Sean Morrison’s header forcing a miraculous save from Woodman, but in vain. The rebound well to Aden Flint, who powered a header of his own into the net.

Bad went to worse for the Swans, as loanee Conor Hourihane was forced off with injury.

Cardiff had Swansea exactly where they wanted them, but it should have been out of sight, as Kieffer Moore rounded Freddie Woodman. His scuffed effort was nowhere near enough, and Ryan Bennett could clear with ease.

In the second period, Swansea certainly looked to have a higher intensity, but again, the trio of Morrison, Flint, and Brown were nothing short of magnificent.

Swansea had delivered poorly from corners prior to their ninth attempt with 20 minutes to go, and Andre Ayew rose highest. The ball looked destined for the bottom corner, but it struck the bottom of the post.

They continued to dominate the ball, but the back three of Cardiff continued to block everything that came their way. Morgan Whittaker, Korey Smith and Ayew saw their efforts denied.

Whittaker had the best chance in the 87th minute after an in-box fracas, but the former Derby County man placed his effort wide of Phillips’ post.

He again came close in the dying seconds, with a rifled left foot effort forcing Dillon Phillips to make a wonderful save.

The win is vital for Cardiff as they stay within the playoff race, whilst Swansea fail to keep up with a rampant Watford who won at Birmingham.

Swansea: Woodman; Roberts, Naughton, Bennett, Guehi, Bidwell; Fulton, Grimes, Hourihane; Ayew, Whittaker

Subs: Hamer, Latibeaudiere, Cabango, Manning, Smith, Dhanda, Routledge, Cooper, Lowe

Cardiff: Phillips; Sang, Morrison, Flint, Brown, Ralls; Pack, Vaulks, Bacuna, Wilson; Moore

Subs: Smithies, Bowen, Colwill, Williams, Hoilett, Ojo, Murphy, Harris, Watters

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