FOOTBALL-Cardiff City v Blackburn

At the end of November it was time for Cardiff City to take on some Premiership challengers in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup – this time Blackburn Rovers at home.
19,436 fans packed the Cardiff City Stadium where there was an outpouring of grief for the late Wales Manager Gary Speed.
First there was a minutes applause – then a minute’s silence. A Welsh flag was then laid on the pitch with both managers laying wreaths paying their own respects and then the game was off!


Pedersen strikes a free-kick straight at the Cardiff defensive wall but Gunnarsson is there with the block.


Two half-chances for David Goodwillie giving a glimmer of hope that there couldve been be a way back in for Blacburn Rovers, but such is the lack of confidence running through the Premier League strugglers this season, that Cardiff City had little trouble in averting the danger.


Whittingham takes a corner and crosses it into the box. Cardiff City get a touch and get a fantastic goal. It’s announced that Gerrard scored it but from where I was standing Gerrard headed but then Filip Kiss actually got a touch on the line and did score that goal. (As confirmed post-match by Malky Mackay himself!)



Stephen McPhail replaced Filip Kiss for Cardiff City, who seemed to have picked up an injury amongst the rain that started to hammer down. But this didn’t dampen the spirits of the fans who were singing and chanting songs about Gary Speed throughout the game.






Final score Cardiff City 2 – 0 Blackburn Rovers – taking Cardiff City through to the Semi finals in the Carling Cup – the furthest they have been in the tournament in 45 years!

This was the best I have seen Cardiff City perform for years. There was total control across the whole pitch and dominated with skill, ideas and set-pieces. I don’t think I saw a single piece of play that was of a poor standard so much so that you would think Cardiff City were in the Premiership and NOT Blackburn Rovers!

The whole game, atmosphere, standard of play, crowd reaction and the result was a fitting tribute for Gary Speed. Roll on the two legged Semi-final against Crystal Palace.

Click the link below for all the individual photos or play to begin the slideshow.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djleekee/sets/72157628211526343/
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