Cardiff City 4-1 AFC Wimbledon: Bluebirds Extend Unbeaten Run to Twelve

Cardiff City made it twelve games unbeaten in Sky Bet League One after a dominant second-half display saw them cruise to a 4-1 victory against AFC Wimbledon.

Goals from Joel Colwill, Perry Ng, Ollie Tanner, and Omari Kellyman were more than enough to secure victory and maintain their four-point cushion at the top of the division.

During the first half, it was the visitors who started with intent, with Myles Hippolyte and Callum Maycock both landing early efforts on the Cardiff goal.

However, it was not long before the Bluebirds began to stamp their authority on the contest. The in-form Ollie Tanner was a constant thorn in young Junior Nkeng’s side all evening, beating him continually down the right and delivering dangerous crosses.

While none of those deliveries created a goal in the opening half, the winger’s individual display was impressive once again.

In the 22nd minute, Colwill thundered home his fourth league goal of the season following a low cross from Alex Robertson from a corner.

The 21-year-old has hit a rich vein of form, carrying the ball excellently upfield while now adding goals and assists to his game. He thought he had a second, minutes later, but was denied by a tight offside call.

The Dons continued to go punch-for-punch with the league leaders and registered as many efforts on goal as their hosts.

On the stroke of half-time, they found their equaliser. Matthew Stevens, who had only been on the pitch eight minutes after replacing Omar Bugiel, finished neatly into the bottom-right corner following a wicked Steve Seddon free-kick.

In the second half, Wimbledon head coach Johnnie Jackson made a slight adjustment, with James Tilley switching to operate at left wing-back after Nkeng struggled to cope with Tanner in the opening 45 minutes.

However, it had little impact.

Cardiff displayed the dynamism and control they had lacked in the first half.

Ng restored their lead in the 58th minute, heading home from close range after Tanner’s corner, his eighth assist in seven games, while the right-back notched his fifth goal of the campaign.

Stevens had a glorious chance to level just two minutes later, but dragged his effort wide of Nathan Trott's goal after Allistair Smith played him through.

Seconds later, Wimbledon found themselves further behind. Ng repaid the favour to Tanner, laying the ball into his path. The winger turned Tilley sharply and fired a rasping left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

It was Tanner’s first league goal of the season to add to his nine assists, which is now ten goal contributions, marking his most productive campaign in a Cardiff shirt.

In the 65th minute, Brian Barry-Murphy made a triple substitution as Rubin Colwill replaced his brother Joel, David Turnbull came on for Robertson, and Cian Ashford replaced Chris Willock.

Callum Robinson entered in the 74th minute for Tanner and registered his first assist of the season, threading a neat pass into Kellyman, who finished confidently one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

It was a dominant second-half display from the league leaders.

The first half had been even, with chances at both ends, and there were perhaps slight signs of fatigue in Cardiff’s play, with a lack of usual control at the Cardiff City Stadium.

But the second half was one-sided, with the visitors repeatedly being opened up as City ran out comfortable 4-1 winners.

Up next is a trip to Home Park on Saturday afternoon, where in-form Plymouth Argyle are mounting a late push for the play-offs.

Brian Barry-Murphy's men will now look to extend their unbeaten run to thirteen matches and stretch their advantage at the summit once more.

Player Ratings

Nathan Trott (7) – Commanded his box well and produced a few sharp saves, particularly a late header. Distribution was strong throughout.

Perry Ng (8) – A goal and an assist from right-back. Making it extremely difficult for Kpakio to regain his place. Incredibly consistent again, though slightly marked down for conceding the free-kick that led to Wimbledon’s goal.

Will Fish (7) – On his 23rd birthday, he delivered a solid performance. Dominant aerially and handled the front two well, though his long diagonals did not quite click.

Calum Chambers (6.5) – Sloppy at times when building from the back and lost Stevens for the equaliser. Improved as the game progressed.

Joel Bagan (7) – Steady display. Offered an attacking outlet on the overlap but was occasionally loose in possession.

Ryan Wintle (6.5) – An up-and-down outing on his return from suspension. Energetic, but uncharacteristically gave the ball away too cheaply at times.

Alex Robertson (7.5) – Drove forward well and was combative in midfield. Smart assist for Colwill’s opener.

Joel Colwill (8) – In a real purple patch. Carries the ball with authority and shrugs defenders off with ease. Excellent first-time finish for his goal.

Ollie Tanner (8.5) – MOTM – Every time he received the ball, he looked dangerous. Consistently beat Nkeng and was rewarded in the second half with an assist and his first league goal of the season. A standout display.

Chris Willock (6) – Quiet evening. Play rarely came down his side, and he struggled to influence proceedings, though he remained tidy in possession and worked hard.

Omari Kellyman (8) – Adapted seamlessly to a No.9 role, dropping deep to link play effectively once again. Shifted to the right wing later on and took his goal superbly.

Substitutes

David Turnbull (7) – Kept things ticking and showed discipline defensively.

Rubin Colwill (7) – Showed flashes of quality and retained possession well. A big player for City to have back for the run-in.

Callum Robinson (7) – Linked play well and provided a lovely weighted assist for Kellyman.

Cian Ashford (6) – Industrious but struggled to get involved as much of the play remained on the opposite flank.

Calum Scanlon (N/A) – Came on late for his debut. Too little time to warrant a rating.