Source: Telegraph
Portsmouth 0 Cardiff City 2: match report
An enigmatic footballer capable of shoving fans to the edge of their seats failed to mark this fixture indelibly, but Cardiff City demonstrated an ability to eke out victory without the pyrotechnics of Craig Bellamy.[LNB]The Welshman will be devastating at this level if free of suspension and injury, although notoriety continues to trail him. His 80th-minute departure prompted a chorus of boos from Portsmouth supporters. [LNB] Related ArticlesCardiff City sign Andy Keogh from Wolves on loanDefoe: Spurs must finish the jobBoyd spoils Speed's big dayAdel Taarabt a 'breath of fresh air'Leeds United gain revenge over MillwallSport on televisionThey should have reserved such displeasure for their own players. They remain rooted to the bottom while QPR's late draw at Derby deprived Cardiff of top spot.[LNB]Having demonstrated a propensity to choke in the latter stages of promising campaigns, optimism should be kept in check and Cardiff were helped on their way by Portsmouth's hopelessness. That reared up with half-time approaching.[LNB]The acute awareness that has drawn interest from Premier League suitors eluded Portsmouth captain Marc Wilson, who dawdled on the ball and was dispossessed by Jay Bothroyd. [LNB]Daniel Drinkwater swept the ball into the box and Hayden Mullins' deflection took the ball past Jamie Ashdown. Wilson's languidness is at times mistaken for poise. A similar lackadaisical approach was to be replicated at the start of the second period.[LNB]A loose ball should have been cleared by Ibrahima Sonko, who waited for Ashdown to collect, but the goalkeeper, under pressure from Bellamy, found only Bothroyd with a rash clearance and he located an empty net.[LNB]Cardiff never scintillated but they were sturdy when it counted. They channelled many of their attacks through Bellamy but such a ploy could be deemed hazardously one-dimensional. There was also no cut and thrust or understanding to his partnership with Bothroyd and the pair were often too far apart.[LNB]Bellamy dropped deep to collect possession, instigating moves with the kind of subtle one-touch passes not associated with his boisterous game. Dexterity did, though, elude him when, released by Chris Burke, the Welshman spooned the opening wide. [LNB]Sheer numbers are hard to come by for Portsmouth and Steve Cotterill named just three outfield substitutes. 'We've not been scoring freely since I've been through the door. Where are we going to get our goals? That makes it hard,' Portsmouth's manager reflected, adding that an 'average' Wilson was 'probably' distracted by transfer speculation.[LNB]Cardiff required neither outstanding defending or Bellamy's individualism to ease home.[LNB]
