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Jamal Lowe’s goals saw him double his tally in a Swansea jersey since his closed season move from Wigan
Swansea City moved up to the Championship’s automatic promotion spots as Jamal Lowe’s two goals secured a victory in the South Wales derby at Cardiff City.
Lowe flew in from close range after six minutes as the visitors controlled a derby that lacked their usual advantage and fans were still not allowed to return to the stadiums in Wales.
Swansea captain Matt Grimes hit the post and in the second half, Cardiff midfielder Joe Ralls was sent off after receiving a second caution for a reckless lunge on Korey Smith.
Lowe then put the result out of the question with a superb second goal, picking up possession just inside the Cardiff half and defeating two defenders before stroking a fine shot with the outside of his boot from the edge of the area.
The double doubled Lowe’s tally for the season, and he was close to completing his hat-trick when he fired another very narrow shot.
But it made little difference to the outcome of this 110th South Wales derby, with Swansea now aiming to become the first team to win both league games in a single season when old rivals meet again in March.
Steve Cooper’s team climbs to second place in the championship table, at least until the rest of Saturday’s games start at 15:00 GMT, while Cardiff remains ninth, four points behind the play-offs. offs.
Cardiff captain Sean Morrison makes a sliding challenge on Swansea’s Andre Ayew
The loss also ended a four-game winning streak for the Bluebirds, who have not had a South Wales derby win since 2013 after being outscored on this occasion.
Like all good derbies, matches between Cardiff and Swansea are often spiteful affairs, full of tension and hostility.
But all those elements were missing in an empty Cardiff City Stadium, disconcertingly serene without its howling crowd and hateful theater.
With the Bluebirds’ home advantage seemingly negated, their opponents settled in quicker and took a well-deserved early lead.
It was a difficult goal to concede from Cardiff’s perspective, a Jake Bidwell looping cross from the left headed into Connor Roberts ‘goal for Lowe, whose volley twisted between Alex Smithies’ legs and rolled into the net.
The game followed a predictable pattern, Swansea controlling possession and patiently building their attacks, while Cardiff looked to catch them at the break.
That approach had its moments, with the visitors’ Ryan Bennett booked for taking down Swansea-born Mark Harris to stop a counterattack at home.
But the Swans were still on top and came close to scoring a second when Grimes took a return pass from his short corner and saw his curly shot brilliantly tipped to the post by the Smithies.
Although they were the dominant team, Swansea was perhaps lucky enough to finish the first half with 11 players.
Cardiff striker Kieffer Moore got into shooting position on the edge of the penalty area, but was fouled by Bennett, who considered himself lucky not to have received a second yellow card.
Harry Wilson’s resulting free kick was deflected and Swansea finished the first half worth their 1-0 lead, their 3-5-2 formation quelling Cardiff’s tight 4-4-2.
Bluebirds manager Neil Harris had named the same team for the fifth straight game, not surprising after winning the previous four, but he was forced to make a change 10 minutes after the interval when Moore injured his tendon. the hamstring when attempting a bold rear heel that went over the bar.
Welsh forward Robert Glatzel’s replacement had come off the bench to score in Tuesday’s win at Stoke, although the German found few opportunities here.
The second half was less intense but more even competition, Cardiff at least enjoying a little more possession, even if they were still struggling to create genuine chances.
Joe Ralls walks away after receiving a second warning for a foul on Korey Smith
However, their hopes of forcing the tie were caught fire when Ralls received a second yellow card for his nasty challenge to Smith.
Already invaded in midfield, Cardiff was vulnerable to further attacks from Swansea and it proved this when Lowe scored his brilliant second goal to add his name to the list of South Wales derby winners.
- Lineups Match Statistics Live Text
LineupsCardiff
- 12 Smithy 7 Bauna 4 MorrisonReserved at 18 minutes16Nelson3Bennett23H Wilson6Vaulks Replaced byWhyteat 90 + 1’minutes8RallsReserved at 67 minutes27Eye29M Harris Replaced by Packat 77’minutes10MooreReserved at 35 minutesReplaced by Glatzelat 56 minutes
Substitutes
- 1Phillips9Glatzel11Murphy13Benkovic18Cunningham20Whyte21Pack22Bamba32Bagan
Swansea
- 1Woodman26Naughton2BennettReserved at 14 minutes5GuehiReserved at 35 minutes23Roberts7Smith6Fulton8Grimes24Bidwell10A Ayew9Lowe Replaced by Routledgeat 87’minutes
Substitutes
- 3Manning13Benda14Gyökeres15Routledge20Cullen21Dhanda22Latibeaudiere44Cabango45Palmer
Referee: John BrooksMatch StatsHome TeamCardiffAway TeamSwanseaPossessionHome43% Away57% ShotsHome8Away11ShotsHome2Away4CornersHome2Away3FoulsHome19Away12Live TextPost update
Match ends, Cardiff City 0, Swansea City 2.
90 ‘+ 5’ Full time
Second Half ends, Cardiff City 0, Swansea City 2.
90 ‘+ 4’Post update
Failed attempt. Attempt missed. Marlon Pack (Cardiff City) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right of the goal.
90 ‘+ 3’Post update
Corner, Cardiff City. Conceded by Connor Roberts.
90 ‘+ 1’Post update
Foul by Jay Fulton (Swansea City).
90 ‘+ 1’Post update
Robert Glatzel (Cardiff City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90 ‘+ 1’ Change
Change, Cardiff City. Gavin Whyte replaces Will Vaulks.
90’Post update
Failed attempt. Attempt missed. André Ayew (Swansea City) header from the center of the box misses to the right side of the goal. Assisted by Jake Bidwell with a cross.
88’Post update
Foul by Jay Fulton (Swansea City).
88’Post update
Harry Wilson (Cardiff City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87 ‘Substitution
Change in Swansea City. Wayne Routledge replaces Jamal Lowe.
86’Post update
Jamal Lowe (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86’Post update
Foul by Curtis Nelson (Cardiff City).
83’Post update
Connor Roberts (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
83’Post update
Foul by Harry Wilson (Cardiff City).
83’Post update
Failed attempt. Where are you going! It goes high and bad on the right. Marc Guehi (Swansea City) right footed shot from the center of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Korey Smith.
78’Post update
Failed attempt. Whoops! Very close to the right post but … it escapes to the left. Jamal Lowe (Swansea City) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Jake Bidwell.
77 ‘Substitution
Change, Cardiff City. Marlon Pack replaces Mark Harris.
76’Post update
Failed attempt. Attempt missed. Robert Glatzel (Cardiff City) header from the center of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Harry Wilson with a cross after a corner kick.
76’Post update
Corner, Cardiff City. Corner committed by Ryan Bennett.
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Source: bbc.com
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