Cardiff City Player Ratings vs Huddersfield

Cardiff City continued their winning ways at home with a 3-2 victory over Huddersfield Town in a thrilling encounter at Cardiff City Stadium.

A Yousef Salech brace and a superb strike from Isaak Davies secured all three points for the Bluebirds.

Huddersfield responded through a deflected effort from Lee Castledine early in the second half, before Joe Taylor tapped in late on for a consolation.

The result marked a third consecutive league win for Brian Barry-Murphy’s side, who remain top of League One by one point with a game in hand.

Meanwhile, defensive issues continue to plague Lee Grant’s side, who stay 8th, two points adrift of the play-off places.

Cardiff City players celebrate after Yousef Salech's second goal

My Cardiff City Player Ratings (Out of 10:

Nathan Trott (6.5) - Had very little to do for most of the afternoon. Produced one save late on and could do nothing about either goal, one a heavy deflection and the other a close-range tap-in. Composed as always with the ball at his feet.

Perry Ng (7.5) - Linked well with Ashford and won most of his duels. Had a couple of efforts on goal also when he pushed forward. An assured performance all round.

Will Fish (7) - Handled the physical presence of Huddersfield’s front two well and had some timely clearances. Played an excellent pass into Kellyman to spark the opener, but wasn’t as accurate with his trademark diagonals today.

Dylan Lawlor (7) - Another strong showing from the 19-year-old. Confident when striding forward with the ball and consistently played some excellent passes. Defended Huddersfield’s threats solidly throughout.

Joel Bagan (7.5) - Registered another assist today with a brilliant delivery for Salech’s opener. Dependable at both ends of the pitch and combined well with Willock down the left.

Ryan Wintle (8) - A standout display from the skipper. Covered every blade of grass out there, was combative throughout and tidy in possession. His long ball into Salech was key to Davies’ goal.

David Turnbull (7.5) - Growing nicely alongside Wintle as a midfield partnership. Calm in possession as always and improving defensively with each performance.

Omari Kellyman (7) - A rare start in the No.10 role with Rubin Colwill absent. Helped move the ball quickly for City’s opener and linked play well in the first half. Faded after the break and was substituted on the hour.

Chris Willock (6.5) - Not his most threatening outing. Released Bagan well for the opener but held onto the ball too long at times, and his crosses didn’t reach their targets. Replaced on 60 minutes.

Cian Ashford (7.5) - A constant menace down the right. Worked tirelessly tracking back and continues to grow in confidence. Delivered a superb cross for Salech’s second and forced Nicholls into a couple of sharp saves.

Yousef Salech MOTM (8.5) - The 6ft 5 striker was not far from his best. Two excellent headers as well as an assist capped a dominant display against Huddersfield’s centre-backs. Takes him to five goals in five starts and the league’s outright top scorer. Unlucky not to grab a hat-trick.

Subs:

Alex Robertson (7) - Slotted in nicely when he came on. Neat in possession and combative defensively, though picked up a late booking after a late challenge.

Joel Colwill (7) - Operated slightly higher in the No.10 near Salech. Industrious as ever, strong in his duels and carried the ball well to push City up the pitch.

Isaak Davies (7.5) - Brought his usual pace and directness down the left. Took his goal superbly with a curling finish towards the top right corner.

Ronan Kpakio (6.5) - Introduced in the 83rd minute with little time to influence the game, but defended well against the lively Ashia and kept things tidy in possession.

Callum Robinson (N/A) - Too little time to make an impact, with just the one touch.

Cardiff may feel they made the game trickier than necessary at times, but the three points keep them at the summit of Sky Bet League 1.

They now turn their attention to a key away trip to Stevenage on Tuesday night, aiming to send a statement in the promotion race.

Meanwhile, The Terriers continue their travels with a difficult visit to Northampton Town as they look to close the gap on the top six.