Bluebirds beat Robins to ease relegation worries

The Bluebirds had not won consecutive home games since their first two matches of the campaign

Cardiff City eased their relegation worries with a 2-0 win in the Severnside derby to end Bristol City's nine game unbeaten league run.

Bristol City might have led in the first half but for a superb save from Ryan Allsop and they fell 2-0 behind when Jaden Philogene fired home.

Cardiff's day was tarnished when Allsop was sent off for handball in stoppage time with Perry Ng going in goal.

However, the defender was able to save from Matty James' header as Cardiff held on for one of their most important wins of the season as they continue to put distance between themselves and the Championship relegation zone.

Bluebirds boss Sabri Lamouchi enjoyed a full week to prepare for this contest and he made two changes to the side beaten at Norwich last weekend, with Callum O'Dowda and Mahlon Romeo dropping out for Kaba and Sheyi Ojo in an attacking looking line-up.

The Robins had the opposite to a calm week of preparation, having been beaten 3-0 at Ashton Gate in midweek in the FA Cup by Premier League champions Manchester City.

Robins boss Nigel Pearson made one change to the side beaten by Pep Guardiola's men, with Anis Mehmeti in for Nahki Wells.

While Cardiff had enjoyed preparation time this week, the visitors arrived in south Wales in red-hot form, unbeaten in their last nine league games and having won their last three games against the Bluebirds and on their last three visits to Cardiff City Stadium.

The Robins really should have taken the lead on 24 minutes when they were twice denied after Mark Sykes' powerful run, firstly as Cedric Kipre cleared off the line from Alex Scott before Mehmeti's powerful shot was saved by Allsop.

The Bluebirds are the lowest scorers in the division by a distance and despite a relatively bright start they only threatened through Ojo's long-range shot and Mark McGuinness' header from a corner, both of which were comfortably saved by Max O'Leary as the first half drifted by.

However, the hosts found the net six minutes after the restart as Kaba rose to head home Ryan Wintle's teasing cross as his precise finish gave O'Leary no chance.

Bristol City almost found an instant response, but Allsop tipped Mehmeti's freekick over the crossbar.

Bhe Robins never looked close to their best and they fell further behind when Philogene cut inside and fired home from 20-yards to beat O'Leary at his near post.

Cardiff's confidence grew with a 2-0 cushion, but they created panic for themselves when Allsop was sent off for handball outside the area, with Cardiff having used their three-substitution windows.

That meant defender Ng ended the game with the goalkeeper jersey on, but he saved a late header from James to preserve Cardiff's clean sheet and ensure their biggest home winning margin of the season.