Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Point made: City 1-1 Sheffield Utd

Cardiff City turned on the style in the first half of this match, playing better than I've seen them play since about September. They carved the Blades open time and time again, only to lack the final finish, until a screamer from Bothroyd found the top corner on 45 mins.

Inevitably, City found it hard to keep up the pace in the second period, and Sheffield re-organised and gradually found their way back into the game. On 67 minutes Quinn (Sheffield's Stephen not City's Paul) toe poked a ball which it appeared the City keeper Marshall could have easily saved, but seemed to want to tap it away, only for Quinn to follow up and prod home from a yard.

Chopra replaced McCormack late on and almost made an instant impact hitting the bar, but it was not to be and both sides had to settle for a point. The Blades will be the happier of the two with that result, this being a match in my view that City should have won - but at least they played some decent football.

One other talking point was referee Danny McDermid, who in my opinion made several "bottle" decisions. twice in the opening 10 minutes City players appeared to be elbowed, or at least have arms raised against them, only for yellow rather than red to be brandished. In the end he booked 5 Blades players and 2 City players. How Sheffield finished with 11 men is a wonder to me. Frankly the quality of refereeing in this division this season has been very poor.

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