Source: Team_Talk
Cardiff canter to victory over Cov
Defender Anthony Gerrard opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a powerful header and influential midfielder Peter Whittingham stepped up to convert a penalty after Jay Bothroyd had been fouled.[LNB]Michael Chopra came close to a third for the Bluebirds but his neat shot came back off the woodwork.[LNB]Cardiff made one change from the side which drew 1-1 at home to Crystal Palace, with Stephen McPhail starting ahead of Gavin Rae.[LNB]Aron Gunnarsson was missing for Coventry after suffering what was initially thought to be a broken leg in the 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.[LNB]Elliott Ward dropped to the bench, with Freddy Eastwood and Martin Cranie coming in.[LNB]The Bluebirds got off to the perfect start when Coventry failed to clear a Whittingham corner and Chris Burke sent over a superb cross which was powered home by the head of Gerrard.[LNB]The Sky Blues responded with a well-struck shot from Clinton Morrison which David Marshall did well to tip around the post.[LNB]McPhail blazed over before Chopra spurned a decent chance, firing straight at Keiren Westwood from 12 yards.[LNB]Burke had two quick-fire chances which failed to trouble the goalkeeper, while Bothroyd fired a free-kick high and wide from 25 yards.[LNB]It was all Cardiff as the half drew to a close with Westwood keeping out a fierce shot from Whittingham.[LNB]Coventry midfielder Jack Cork tried his luck from 30 yards at the start of the second half but Marshall was equal to his effort.[LNB]Cardiff extended their lead on the hour from the penalty spot. Chopra latched onto a poor backpass and looked to round the keeper but played the ball square for Bothroyd who was brought down by Stephen Wright.[LNB]Whittingham took the kick and sent Westwood the wrong way.[LNB]Coventry boss Chris Coleman made two substitutions in a bid to get back into the game, David Bell coming on for Leon Best and new signing Chris Hussey replacing Patrick Van Aanholt.[LNB]But it was Cardiff who almost made it three when Chopra was sent clear one-on-one with Marshall. The prolific striker dinked the ball over the keeper but watched in agony as the ball came back off a post.[LNB]Bothroyd should have done better with a close-range effort with 10 minutes remaining, while Burke's 25-yard attempt was comfortably gathered by Westwood as the home side easily held on.[LNB][LNB]
