Cardiff City Strike Double: McCormack, 90 pen.

Cardiff City have now played three home games in succession as we look to cement a play-off place, those three games have not gone exactly to plan with a win, a defeat and a draw seeing the likes of Sheffield United extend their gap and the Bluebirds further adrift of the automatic promotion places.


However, those results could have been far worse for City. The farcical 3-0 defeat to Sheffield United can be discounted as a freak. A Mr Taylor can rightfully claim 3 points for the Blades following an unbelievable display including two wrongful red card decisions and an incorrect penalty call amongst other things.


In the other two fixtures however, we have been gifted opportunities to steal points and in both cases we were lucky to do so. Watford deserved a point for their display at Ninian Park, however a defender inexplicably handled a Roger Johnson header that was drifting wide. There was no need to do anything, but a rush of blood saw City awarded a late winner courtesy of McCormack from the spot.


More recently, it was the diminutive Scotsman who won an injury time penalty - and though it won us just one point instead of two it was at least as important. Swansea City had just gone 2-1 up and looked certain to snatch an undeserved win and re-ignite their play-off hopes. However, Ashley Williams was a little clumsy in attempting to challenge McCormack and conceded the penalty from which Rosco equalised to the Bluebirds delight.


In those two games we have gained 3 points courtesy of injury time penalties. On another day the defender would watch the ball roll out for a goal-kick while Williams` challenge would not qualify for a penalty on 50% of occasions. No Cardiff City fan is complaining, late drama is always welcome especially when it results in late goals for us. Without those 3 'fortunate` points, Preston would occupy 6th place and we would be equal with the Jacks.

For the very latest Championship odds

Free £15 bet when you spend £5 on The New Football Pools




Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.