Sky Bet Championship

Cardiff City 0

Leeds United 2 (Ramazani 30’, Piroe 87’)

Cardiff: Alnwick (GK), Fish, Siopis (Ashford 79’), Ralls (C) (Robertson 58’), O’Dowda (Willock 79’), Chambers, Kanga (Collins 45’), Bagan, Colwill, Tanner (El Ghazi 58’), NG. Subs not used: Horvath (GK), Goutas, Turnbull, Rinomhota.

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle (Byram 84’), Firpo, Ampadu (C), Struijk, Rodon, Aaronson, Ramazani (Piroe 84’), Joseph (Tanaka 90’), Gnonto (Schmidt 90’), Gruev (Rothwell 90’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Bamford, Debayo, Crew.

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium

Attendance: TBC

Referee: John Smith

Booked: Siopis, NG (Cardiff) Bogle, Gruev (Leeds)

Sent-off: Bagan (Cardiff)

Leeds United made the long trip to South Wales on Saturday afternoon, defeating Cardiff City in the Sky Bet Championship to return to winning ways!

A first half-goal from Largie Ramazani opened the scoring, coming moments after Cardiff had been reduced to 10 players, before Joel Piroe doubled the advantage after coming off the bench in the second half.

The home side were winless coming into the match, whereas the Whites were aiming to bounce back from defeat last time out to Burnley, meaning both teams went in search of an important three points.

Prior to kick-off, tributes were paid to Sol Bamba who had captained both teams in his career. All sides of the stadium stood to applaud and send their wishes to a player well-known as one of the friendliest faces in football.

When the game began, Leeds had two good early openings. Quick interplay around the box saw Junior Firpo released on the wing, he pulled it back, only to see the home defence scramble the ball away.

Leeds recycled the possession well and kept the pressure on and Ilia Gruev then struck just over the bar, before moments later the Bulgarian shot just wide from Ramazani’s lay-off.

Ramazani was starting his first game for the Whites since his summer arrival and was lively early on. The front four were interchanging and showing fluidity, moving into different areas and causing the home defence problems.

In the 24th minute, the game changed as Cardiff were reduced to 10 players. Firpo played the ball into Willy Gnonto, he turned Joel Bagan and was through one-on-one, only to be brought down by the defender.

The Italian had tried to stay on his feet but couldn’t recover and a free-kick was awarded, with Bagan ordered to leave the pitch. The resulting free-kick was struck well by Brenden Aaronson, which Jak Alnwick tipped around the post.

Having been lively early on and looking dangerous, Ramazani opened his account for the Whites 30 minutes in! He raced through one-on-one after collecting Mateo Joseph’s clever pass, composed himself, and slotted home left-footed. The winger then celebrated with a back-flip!

Shortly after, Alnwick made another good save to deny a second. Pascal Struijk chipped the ball over the Cardiff defence, Joseph ran onto it and shot low on goal, only to see the ‘keeper push it away.

With a free-kick of their own, the hosts had their first shot on goal, approaching half-time. Rubin Colwill lined up the effort and struck powerfully, but Illan Meslier comfortably gathered the ball.

Just before the break, Leeds could and probably should have had a second. More good work from Joseph in the build up got his side forward, then from the right Gnonto played a clever back-post pass to Ramazani, who saw Alnwick make another good save to deny him.

The whistle sounded to send the teams back to their respective dressing rooms, with Farke’s side a goal ahead at the Cardiff City Stadium.

HALF TIME: Cardiff City 0-1 Leeds United

Back out for the second half in the Welsh capital, the home side had made a change, bringing on Jamilu Collins for Wilfried Kanga. Leeds remained unchanged from the XI that began the match.

Straight on the front foot, Jayden Bogle burst down the right and crossed low into the box. Aaronson got a touch at the near post but couldn’t get his effort on target.

With the clock going past the hour-mark in the game, the second half had seen very few chances at either end. Leeds had controlled much of the ball but the home side had remained deep and compact at the back.

A quick break forward did see Leeds with another big chance to double the lead. Ethan Ampadu burst up the pitch and played in Bogle. The defender cleverly turned in the box and was brought down, winning his side a penalty.

Stepping up from his central defensive role, Struijk took the penalty, but having had a fine match between the posts, Alnwick saved once more to deny him from the spot.

Entering the final 10 minutes, Farke made a double change. Joel Piroe and Sam Byram entered the game, in place of Bogle and the goalscorer, Ramazani.

Straight away after coming on, Piroe smashed home to double the lead! The striker received the ball from Aaronson down the left, ran forward into the box and found the top corner superbly to secure the points.

Meslier still had work to do to keep his clean sheet though, and did so brilliantly. Anwar El Ghazi found himself through one-on-one against the ‘keeper, but our number 1 made an excellent stop.

After eight minutes of stoppage time had been played, the game was brought to a close, confirming the three points for Farke’s side.

FULL TIME: Cardiff City 0-2 Leeds United