Cardiff's second-half comeback against Wolves gifts Neil Warnock an early birthday present
Cardiff City coach Neil Warnock will spend his 70th birthday a happy man after his squad climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.
Warnock turns 70 on Saturday and will mark his milestone birthday with a family get-together at a restaurant in the Welsh countryside.
The meal will taste all the sweeter after second-half goals from Aron Gunnarsson and Junior Hoilett completed yet another Cardiff comeback win.
Matt Doherty had marked his 200th league appearance for Wolves by opening the scoring after 18 minutes, but a fifth defeat in six games means Nuno Espirito Santo's side have only picked up one point from a possible 18.
Cardiff has found some momentum in recent weeks and this was its third win from four home games, all of which it has fallen behind in.
Wolverhampton is 11th while Cardiff moved up to 15th.
These two teams, and indeed their two managers, are very familiar with each other. The last time they met, in April last year, Wolves ran out 1-0 winners in a crucial top-of-the-table match. But it ended in controversy. The wild celebrations of Nuno Espirito Santo and his players angered Neil Warnock, who refused to shake his opposite number's hand and told him, in no uncertain terms, where to go.
Let's hope for a more cordial affair this time around.
This feels like an important game for both sides. Cardiff, after their 1-0 defeat at Everton last weekend, are 19th, but a win here would elevate them to 15th. That's how tight it is at the bottom.
The Bluebirds will know, too, that Wolves are vulnerable. Santo's side are on a poor run of form, without a win in five games, and were well beaten by Huddersfield at home in their last outing. They need a response.
Morrison climbs well from a Cardiff free kick, but he puts too much on his header and it rolls out of play. The hosts have started on the front foot here.
Wolves get their first corner of the game, an area they will no doubt be looking to exploit given Cardiff's issues from set pieces this season. But the ball in is poor and easily cleared.
Murphy then breaks forward for the home side, but can't find a teammate with his cross.
The visitors haven't quite found their rhythm yet. Moutinho and Neves are being successfully marshalled by Cardiff's midfield. So far, it's scrappy and disjointed, which will suit the home side.
Traore wins a corner for Wolves and, as has been the case far too often this season, Cardiff cannot defend it. Jimenez wins the first header, which Etheridge saves well. But the rebound falls to Doherty, who converts on his 200th league appearance for the club.
Cardiff have lost some of their momentum after the goal. They had started fairly well, but their inability to defend set pieces has hurt them once again.
Murphy brings some good defending out of Coady on the left, before Gunnarsson launches in another couple of throw-ins. Then Traore looks to break for Wolves, but his touch is poor.
This has not been a game for the aesthetes thus far. It is largely direct, long balls from both teams, and there is very little in the way of skill and creativity.
No one can say this isn't a full-blooded game. Coady and Camarasa both slide for the ball and the Cardiff man comes out of it worse. He receives some treatment before the hosts swing another corner. Nothing comes of it.
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 7pm. Sky Sports subscribers can also view the game online via the Sky Go app.
Highlights will be shown at 9:30am on Sky Sports Premier League.
Sol Bamba is key in the heart of defence (Getty)
Player to watch…
Sol Bamba: Cardiff would likely have conceded more goals at Goodison Park without the Ivorian. He made several important tackles and blocks to deny the likes of Richarlison in the first half, before clearing Gylfi Sigurdsson’s effort off the line in the second. He was imposing aerially as well, and will be vital again if Cardiff are to claim just their third win of the season against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
Form guide…
Cardiff: LWLLWL
Wolves: WLLLDL
Odds…
Cardiff to win: 13/5
Wolves to win: 6/5
Draw: 11/5
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
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