Cardiff 0 Sheffield United 3: It's easy for Blades as Bluebirds see double red

22 March 2009 17:38
Cardiff had two players sent off in a nightmare first half asCoca-Cola Championship promotion rivals Sheffield United cantered tovictory at Ninian Park.[LNB]David Cotterill fired the Blades ahead from the penalty spot inthe 25th minute after Bluebirds defender Gabor Gyepes committed aprofessional foul on Darius Henderson, for which he was sent off.[LNB]The hosts were dealt another massive blow in the 33rd minute whenstriker Ross McCormack was sent off for a professional foul on KyleNaughton.[LNB] Spot on: David Cotterill converts a penalty for Sheffield United[LNB][LNB]Substitute Jamie Ward headed in a killer second for the visitorsshortly after the restart and Stephen Quinn fired in a third with threeminutes remaining.[LNB]Cardiff went into the game with an outstanding record of 12 winsand only two defeats at Ninian Park this season, but they met theirmatch in Kevin Blackwell's side.[LNB]Victory lifted the Blades to fourth spot but Cardiff should have opened the scoring inside the 10th minute.[LNB] Birmingham City 1 Norwich City 1: Jerome strike protects push[LNB]Nottingham Forest 0 Wolves 1: Kightly has Wanderers flying high[LNB][LNB]Joe Ledley delivered an outswinging corner from the left flank and Gyepes sent his header wide of the mark.[LNB]However, the Blades went even closer in the 19th minute when GregHalford collected possession and hit a right-footed shot whichBluebirds goalkeeper Stuart Taylor was forced to tip around a post.[LNB]United began to build momentum and took the lead when Gyepeshauled down Henderson and Cotterill did the rest from 12 yards to claimonly his third goal of the season.[LNB] Red rash: Referee Paul Taylor sends off Cardiff's Ross McCormack[LNB][LNB]In the 27th minute, Cardiff threatened an equaliser when afree-kick from Gavin Rae was met with a firm header by Miguel Commingeswhich forced Paddy Kenny into a smart stop.[LNB]However, the Bluebirds suffered a major setback in the 33rd minutewhen McCormack was sent off for a professional foul on Naughton.[LNB]United quickly went in search of a second goal and Halford shotstraight at Taylor before Quinn fired narrowly wide from the edge ofthe 18-yard box.[LNB]In the 39th minute, Cardiff had a half-chance when Rae saw hisheader blocked by Naughton before Comminges fired wide for Cardiff onthe stroke of half-time.[LNB]Within seconds of the restart, United sealed the points whenCotterill crossed from the right flank and Ward headed home from sixyards out.[LNB]Blackwell's men sought to press home their advantage but Quinn's effort in the 58th minute sailed just wide.[LNB]Cardiff, to their credit, refused to surrender and Roger Johnsonheaded a corner from Comminges just wide and then Rae sliced a shotoff-target.[LNB]United substitute Craig Beattie hit a shot just wide in the 74thminute and was at it again four minutes later with another fine strikethat narrowly failed to test Taylor.[LNB]The Blades were comfortable and never looked like letting Cardiffback into the game as they played out a victory which lifted them threepoints above their hosts.[LNB]Quinn added the coup de grace in the 87th minute when he took a pass from Beattie and rifled home left-footed from six yards.[LNB] Birmingham City 1 Norwich City 1: Jerome strike protects push[LNB]Nottingham Forest 0 Wolves 1: Kightly has Wanderers flying high[LNB][LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail