Cardiff City 2-1 Southampton: Saints automatic promotion hopes hit by Cardiff comeback

Southampton’s computerized promotion hopes suffered an enormous blow in south Wales as Cardiff snatched a 2-1 comeback win.

The Saints paid the value for lacking a collection of possibilities as sub Famara Diedhiou levelled from shut vary.

Teenager Cian Ashford then gained it for Cardiff in damage time with a deflected shot from 25 yards.

Defeat leaves them 5 factors off the automated promotion locations with three video games remaining.

Saints boss Russell Martin had described this fixture as Southampton’s “greatest sport of the season” as the previous Swansea supervisor made his return to Wales.

Martin was unsurprisingly given a tough reception from the Cardiff followers, sick of the sight of a supervisor who got here into this contest with a 100% successful file in opposition to the Bluebirds.

Throughout his 5 video games as a supervisor in opposition to Cardiff, Martin’s sides have been 14-2 up on mixture, together with 4 wins over the Bluebirds in south Wales derbies.

The Saints boss was greeted with a refrain of boos and even had the sprinklers turned on him as he saluted the away followers. Welcome again to Cardiff.

Martin was with out one other former Swan, midfielder Flynn Downes, as he missed out by way of damage, whereas Will Smallbone earned a recall in Southampton’s solely change from the 3-0 win over Preston.

Cardiff boss Erol Bulut, who’s coping with a prolonged damage checklist, made 4 modifications to his beginning XI, with 19-year-old ahead Ashford incomes a primary begin.

The onus was on Southampton to push for victory and so they made their intentions clear early as Stuart Armstrong’s long-range effort thundered in opposition to the publish after seven minutes.

The reprieve was brief as Southampton took the lead 5 minutes later, Cardiff goalkeeper Ethan Horvath solely managing to push out Adam Armstrong’s effort, with Aribo readily available to slam house the rebound.

Saints ought to swiftly have doubled their lead as Che Adams raced clear, however Horvath denied him after which watched helplessly as Adam Armstrong headed the rebound over the crossbar.

Horvath’s aim was main a charmed life with Aribo’s deflected effort going simply over the crossbar, whereas Adam Armstrong blazed over after Rubin Colwill’s horrible backpass despatched him clear.

The standard of possibilities the guests have been creating was staggering, with Cardiff’s defending leaving loads to be desired.

However Armstrong once more fired over earlier than David Brooks was twice denied by Horvath, first from a shot from 15 yards after which once more from point-blank vary after one other defensive mix-up.

The hosts did create some alternatives of their very own with David Turnbull heading straight at Alex McCarthy and Ashford’s jinking run forcing a save.

However the rampant Saints have been absolutely incredulous at solely main 1-0 after 12 photographs within the first half, six on course.

They have been rapidly on the offensive after the break with Adams firing throughout aim and Armstrong’s point-blank header brilliantly saved by Horvath.

Probabilities continued as Smallbone fired broad after affected person build-up play to depart the away followers questioning how their facet weren’t out of sight.

The virtually inevitable twist arrived as Southampton have been totally punished for his or her profligacy when debutant Raheem Conte’s cross was touched on by Yakou Meite, permitting Diedhiou the house to faucet house.

It deflated the guests and Cardiff sensed the prospect of a shock victory, with Meite’s audacious effort from an acute angle tipped over by McCarthy.

McCarthy needed to be alert once more to save lots of from Diedhiou’s header within the first of 9 minutes of stoppage time.

With time operating out, Ashford fully flipped the script with a 25-yard effort that took a large deflection and crept into the nook of the web.

There was nonetheless time for Saints to stage however Stuart Armstrong’s effort was blocked, with Armstrong injured within the incident and leaving on a stretcher to compound the Saints’ distress, with boss Martin confirming that he expects the participant to be out for the rest of the season.

Cardiff Metropolis boss Erol Bulut informed BBC Radio Sport Wales:

“Generally it is good while you’re not pushing for one thing or on the backside, so the gamers can play freely.

“I stated to my workforce earlier than that at the moment I wished solely constructive issues, even when they make errors. Play freely and I believe they did a very good job at the moment.

“I believe Cian Ashford will always remember the aim. However at the moment for 90 minutes he was nice. Taking part in in opposition to Southampton, he did a very good job.

“Our bench was full of kids, six gamers. So I believe the membership is on a great way to make constructive issues. The membership can add solely on this.”

Southampton boss Russell Martin informed BBC Sport Wales:

“It is unacceptable to lose a sport with the quantity of possibilities we had.

“We should always have been out of sight. We performed some wonderful soccer but it surely will not matter one bit as a result of we misplaced. In case you’re not going to be scientific of their field, then you definately defend your personal.

“Immediately has accomplished us plenty of hurt by way of chasing the automated spot, however now we have to react correctly now. We have got three video games left. We will nonetheless get greater than 90 factors.

“I count on a giant response from everybody. If it means our season goes to be prolonged, so be it and now we have to prepare for that.”