Cardiff City v Preston North End Match Report

Chopra and Johnson Claim Win for Bluebirds at Ninian Park

Dec 6, 2008

Cardiff City produced an efficient performance to re claim a play-off spot with a comfortable 2-0 victory over a lacklustre Preston North End side at Ninian Park.

A Roger Johnson header and Michael Chopra penalty in each half was enough for the Bluebirds in a solid performance without midfield playmaker Stephen McPhail.

McPhail, starting his two game ban after his dismissal against rivals Swansea last weekend, was not missed as Cardiff's wingers ran riot against a side lacking in quality.

After the game Cardiff boss Dave Jones said: "It was a hard earned victory today and this is what we need to do sometimes. The first half particularly wasn't very pretty but sometimes you need to battle.

"When we started moving the ball out to the flanks a bit quicker and gave Paul and Wayne the chance to run at their defence they caused havoc. The two Preston full backs had a tough time, especially in the second half."

It was an efficient if not impressive display by the Bluebirds who will be disappointed to lose Ross McCormack to his latest hamstring injury, but pleased they were able to call on Michael Chopra to link up with the impressive Jay Bothroyd.

McCormack Suffers new Hamstring Injury

Chopra's arrival in the 36th minute marked a change for the Bluebirds whose midfield failed to make an impression in the opening stages.

But the pressure grew on Preston as Chopra and Bothroyd linked up well to bring wingers Wayne Routledge and Paul Parry into the game.

Routledge in particular was very impressive, showing his premiership skill and trickery on many occasions to leave Preston's left back Callum Davidson chasing shadows.

Preston failed to deal with Parry and Routledge

It was a Routledge delivery that provided Roger Johnson with his second goal of the season just three minutes before half time a lead they built on after half time as a more determined Cardiff side emerged.

Cardiff almost built on their lead as Bothroyd hit the cross bar with a superb header before Preston keeper Andy Lonergan brilliantly denied Gavin Rae's driven shot only minutes later.

But Cardiff's pressure paid off as the superb Jay Bothroyd threatened again in the Preston area, Youl Mawene's trailing leg the only thing to stop him going on to score himself, Andy D'Urso duly pointed to the spot with little protest by the Preston centre back.

Chopra's Penalty Seals all three points for Cardiff

Michael Chopra happily stepped up to put away the resultant penalty to claim his third goal in his second spell and kill off any Preston hopes of a point.

But it was Jay Bothroyd who was a pivotal force in the Cardiff attack and was the creative link between midfield and attack, often dropping deep to help out his midfield when required.

It was a performance duly recognised by the Ninian Park faithful with a standing ovation, as Riccy Scimeca replaced the former Wolves man late on.

By the end of the game Preston had three men up front, but it was not enough as their six game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end gifting the Bluebirds back their play-off place in the process.

Cardiff Team: Enckelman, McNaughton, Gyepes, Roger Johnson, Kennedy (Comminges 64), Parry, Rae, Ledley, Routledge, Bothroyd (Scimeca 89), McCormack (Chopra 36).

Preston Team: Lonergan, Wallace, Mawene, St. Ledger, Davidson, Chaplow, Sedgwick (Nicholson 63), McKenna (Parkin 73), Jones, Chris Brown, Mellor (Elliott 46).?

The copyright of the article Cardiff City v Preston North End Match Report in Premier/Championship Leagues is owned by Steve Garland. Permission to republish Cardiff City v Preston North End Match Report in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.