By Liam Owen
Cardiff City were condemned to a second defeat this week as they went down 3-1 to a dominant Blackburn Rovers in the Welsh capital.
Goals from Andi Weimann (2) and Lewis Baker were enough for back-to-back defeats heading into the international break following the 0-1 midweek loss at Luton Town.
The first half was started strongly by the visitors and they had a great opportunity to score in just the second minute.
A defensive mix-up allowed Andi Weimann to tee-up Todd Cantwell only for Bluebirds ‘keeper Jan Alnwick to come to the rescue with a sliding tackle.
In the sixth minute however, Cardiff had their first shot of the afternoon as David Turnbull saw his effort deflected off Anwar El-Ghazi and wide of Aynsley Pears’ right-hand post.
Blackburn soon took the lead when a superb 42-pass move ended with Weimann tapping home.
Overall it was an excellent first-half display by Blackburn and very poor from an attacking perspective from Cardiff.
Heading into the second half, Cardiff made a change up front as Yakou Meite replaced El-Ghazi, and it took just three minutes for the attacker to make an impact as brilliant physical play allowed him to turn well and force Pears into a save.
In the 54th minute, against the run of play, Rovers claimed their second goal of the afternoon.
An excellent through-ball from Blackburn captain Lewis Travis found full-back Harry Pickering on the left hand side of the box. Pickering’s cross was on a plate for Weimann to get his second of the afternoon.
In the 72nd minute Cardiff grabbed a lifeline.
A brilliant drive into the box from Callum O’Dowda saw Rovers substitute Joe Rankin-Costello leaving referee Gavin Ward no choice but to point to the spot after a clumsy charge.
David Turnbull saw his penalty saved by Aynsley Pears but converted the rebound to half the deficit.
A wonderfully curled finish from Rovers’ Lewis Baker sealed it for Rovers, however, even though the Bluebirds pushed for an equaliser.
Victory for Blackburn them ninth in the EFL Championship whereas defeat for Cardiff leaves them 21st in the league table with interim manager Omar Riza facing an uncertain future at the club.