By James Dow
Cardiff City claimed the south Wales derby bragging rights after defeating Swansea City 3-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
A fantastic second-half performance from Omer Riza’s men saw them convert three goals in 20 minutes – the Bluebirds’ biggest winning margin in 31 years.
The first-half saw both teams have chances, however while the Swans dominated the possession it was the home side with the more clear-cut opportunities, Callum Chambers and Callum Robinson both going close.
The Bluebirds flew out of the blocks during the second-half and managed to grab a well-deserved goal from forward Robinson within two minutes.
Robinson added a second just five minutes later through a mistake at the back from the Swans defence, before central defender Dimitrios Goutas all but confirmed the three points with a headed goal following a corner.
The one negative for the home side came during added time, when manager Riza was given his marching orders after entering the field of play following an altercation with Swansea midfielder Goncalo Franco.
The result takes the Bluebirds out of the relegation zone and up to 20th, while Swansea dropped one place to 13th.
There was a cagey start to the match, with both sides figuring each other out and getting used to the intense atmosphere.
The first chance of the game fell to the away side just after the 10-minute mark, when a low Josh Tymon free-kick was delivered in the box to Franco, who struck his effort over the bar.
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The Bluebirds managed to register their first attempt at goal at the halfway point of the first half, with Callum Chambers dispossessing Franco high up the pitch and playing the ball to Alex Robertson who’s effort from distance drifted wide of Lawrence Vigouroux’s post.
The hosts did look dangerous from set pieces with their aerial presence, nearly taking advantage through an in swinging corner from Robertson which was met by Chambers who was unable to keep his volley on target.
Chambers had another great chance to take the lead for the Bluebirds minutes later, with the ball falling to him just inside the six-yard area, but great reflexes from Vigouroux kept the scores level.
Another set piece opportunity fell to the Bluebirds just before half time, when Robertson’s free kick from 25 yards out was easily held by Vigouroux.
The hosts were starting to gain momentum during the latter stages of the half and nearly grabbed a goal during added time, when a quick counter attack saw Tanner deliver the ball into the penalty area to Callum Robinson but his tame effort rolled into the palms of Vigouroux.
The Bluebirds finally took the lead two minutes into the second half through Robinson, who took the ball down with his chest from a Tanner cross and volleyed home to give the home side the lead.
Robinson added his second of the match just five minutes later when a stray pass from Tymon saw the defender play through Robinson who kept his cool and curled the ball into the corner and past Vigouroux to double the hosts lead.
The Swans were shell-shocked and things went from bad to worse just after the hour-mark with Goutas adding a third goal when he rose the highest from a Robertson corner to all but confirm the three points in the capital.
Swansea were close to pulling one back when Josh Key was able to divert a header to the back post but substitute Zan Vipotnik was unable to get the final touch to find the back of the net.
The Swans continued to push for a consolation goal and had a flurry of corner kicks late on, with one finding Ben Cabango but his headed effort was cleared off the line by Bluebirds hero Robinson.
There was a slight dampener for the Bluebirds in added time, when head coach Omer Riza was sent off after entering the field of play during an altercation with Franco.
Cardiff City: Jak Alnwick, Dimitrios Goutas, Jesper Daland, Joe Ralls, Callum O’Dowda(Joel Bagan 24’), Callum Chambers(Manolis Siopis 76’), Alex Robertson(Rubin Colwill 76’), Ollie Tanner(Yakou Meite 84’), Andy Rinomhota, Cian Ashford, Callum Robinson(Yousef Salech 84’).
Substitutes not used: Ethan Horvath, Will Fish, Chris Willock, Perry NG.
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux, Joshua Key(Kyle Naughton 76’), Ben Cabango, Harry Darling, Joe Allen(Zan Vipotnik 55’), Matt Grimes, Ji-Sung Eom,(Florian Bianchini 55’) Josh Tymon, Goncalo Franco, Liam Cullen, Ronald(Sam Parker 84’).
Substitutes not used: Jon McLaughlin, Jay Fulton, Cyrus Christie, Myles Peart-Harris, Dan Watts.