Sunderland 1, Cardiff City 2
The Bluebirds have their very own ‘Jack In The Box’ who has added extra spark to their bid for Championship success.
Craig Bryson, who has joined Cardiff City on a season-long loan from Derby, scored their first goal in their away win at the Stadium of Light.
“He created things for us as well,” said manager Neil Warnock. “His enthusiasm rubs off on everybody. He’s like a little jack in the box.”
Bryson, 30, played a major role for City in a win against Sunderland which kept them level on points with Leeds United and Wolves at the top of the table. He is a spark-plug player, full of energy and commitment.
More than 600 away fans celebrated wildly when Joe Ralls netted the winner from a second half penalty and Cardiff’s victory set up a crucial clash at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday.
They take on Championship leaders Leeds, who are ahead of Cardiff on goal difference.
Former Leeds manager Warnock is relishing the chance to see his team take on their Yorkshire visitors and says: “To those fans who are making up their minds, get yourselves away from the TV and get down there. We need those extra fans. The lads deserve it now.”
The Bluebirds have had a big take-up on an offer which allows season ticket holders to take guests for £5 each and expect one of their biggest home attendances of the season.
Sunderland remain without a win at home in 15 successive matches, while Cardiff players flew home delighted with their three points.
Bryson fired Cardiff ahead when Kenneth Zohore flicked on a long ball goalkeeper Neil Etheridge for Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who freed Bryson to shoot home after six minutes.
Sunderland went close when Bryan Oviedo hit a post, while the home team equalised from a 53rd minute penalty. Lyndon Gooch was pulled down by Sean Morrison and the Sunderland player jumped up to score.
Cardiff scored their winner after Morrison was fouled and Ralls scored after 72 minutes.
“I thought we deserved it if I’m honest,” said Warnock. “We had a knockback when Sunderland scored. That was a silly goal to give away.
“But instead of going under we grew stronger and really started playing again and it was just if we could get the goal.
“We had a great chance to win the game in the first half and their goalkeeper has made two great saves in the second half. I don’t know how he got down to one of them.”
Warnock believed spirit and togetherness will be major factors in Cardiff’s bid to stay maintain a challenge at or near the top of the Championship and says: “They are a great bunch of lads.
“We’ve not got that top class, but we have a great camaraderie and we’ve got ability. The bench is fantastic, too.
“Things are really good right now, but I’m 68. I don’t get carried away. We are not even a quarter of the way through.
“The fans are going to enjoy themselves, we have got a great atmosphere going. The whole city is with us. We are all together as a unit. Everybody wants us to do well.”
Sunderland: Ruiter, Browning, Kone, Wilson, Matthews, Ndong, Cattermole, Oviedo, Honeyman, Gooch, Vaughan.
Subs: Steele, Galloway, O’Shea, McGeady, Gibson, Robson, Asoro.
Cardiff City: Etheridge, Richards, Morrison, Manga, Bennett, Gunnarsson, Ralls, Bryson, Mendez-Laing, Zohore, Feeney.
Subs: Tomlin, Bamba, Halford, Damour, Murphy, Bogle, Hoilett
Referee: Peter Bankes.
Attendance: 25,733.
