Cardiff took full advantage of the early dismissal of Joachim Bjorklund to
secure only their second victory in 11 matches with a crushing win against
Sunderland in Nationwide Division One.
The Swede was dismissed for bringing down Richard Langley, and Graham Kavanagh
made the Black Cats pay further by firing in the resulting free-kick after 18
minutes.
Langley extended City's lead nine minutes later, with Danny Gabbidon and Alan
Lee completing the rout in the second half.
Langley forced Mart Poom into making the first save of the game from distance
and the Bluebirds midfielder was then involved in the game's turning point.
Referee Phil Crossley showed an instant red card to centre-back Bjorklund
after Langley broke free and Kavanagh sent the free-kick into the bottom corner
from 20 yards.
Marcus Stewart went close to equalising in the 25th minute from close range
only for Gabbidon to make a crucial interception.
But matters went from bad to worse for Mick McCarthy's men three minutes later
as a sweeping move saw Rhys Weston cross from the right for Langley to fire the
ball into the top corner.
Wales striker Robert Earnshaw, who enhanced his growing reputation with a
hat-trick against Scotland in midweek, should have stretched City's lead - but
he just missed the post from close in.
Cardiff showed no remorse after the break and extended their lead with only
seconds on the clock as Gabbidon turned in a cross from Earnshaw.
McCarthy made an instant double substitution, hauling off Stewart and Kevin
Kyle and replacing them with Tommy Smith and Darren Byfield.
But the changes made little difference as Poom was called upon to keep out
Willie Boland's shot and then make a double save to prevent Earnshaw opening his
account for the afternoon.
Sunderland went close to pulling a goal back just before the hour as Jeff
Whitley's searing 25-yard effort was tipped over by Martyn Margetson, with Gary
Breen heading over the resulting corner.
Cardiff pressed forward and went close to extending their lead through Peter
Thorne and Earnshaw, but made no mistake 10 minutes from time.
Andy Campbell released fellow substitute Alan Lee and the former Rotherham
striker coolly slotted the ball home for his second goal in as many games.
Lee nearly grabbed another seven minutes from time, but his header from
Weston's cross hit the woodwork.
Teams:
Cardiff: Margetson, Weston, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Langley,
Kavanagh (Lee 77), Boland, Parry (Robinson 67),
Earnshaw (Campbell 67), Thorne.
Subs Not Used: Prior, Alexander.
Booked: Gabbidon.
Goals: Kavanagh 18, Langley 27, Gabbidon 46, Lee 80.
Sunderland: Poom, Wright, Breen, Bjorklund, McCartney, Oster,
McAteer (Thirlwell 66), Whitley, Arca,
Stewart (Tommy Smith 47), Kyle (Byfield 47).
Subs Not Used: Williams, Alnwick.
Sent Off: Bjorklund (17).
Booked: Tommy Smith.
Att: 17,337
Ref: P Crossley (Kent).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook