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Cardiff City logo
Premier League
Aug 25, 2013 at 4pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

3-2

Gunnarsson (60'), Campbell (79', 87')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Dzeko (52'), Negredo (90')

Live Commentary: Cardiff City 3-2 Manchester City - as it happened

Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report of Cardiff City's memorable 3-2 win over Manchester City in the Premier League.
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Cardiff City marked their first ever Premier League home match at the Cardiff City Stadium with a memorable 3-2 win over Manchester City on Sunday.

Edin Dzeko put the visitors ahead at the start of the second half before Aron Gunnarsson drew the hosts level.

Fraizer Campbell then scored twice to put Cardiff in control, but they had to weather out a nervy final few minutes following Alvaro Negredo's late goal.

Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the action unfolded.


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Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's Premier League encounter as Cardiff City play host to Manchester City.

There's a feeling of celebration at the Cardiff City Stadium this afternoon as the Welsh club hosts its first ever Premier League fixture at the stadium.

Unfortunately for them it's not exactly the easiest game as former champions Manchester City are in town.

CARDIFF: Marshall; Connolly, Taylor, Caulker, Turner; Whittingham, Medel, Campbell, Kim, Gunnarsson; Bellamy

CARDIFF SUBS: Lewis, Hudson, Cornelius, Noone, Mutch, Cowie, Maynard

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay makes one change to his side following last weekend's defeat to West Ham as Andrew Taylor comes in for Declan John.

We'll bring you the Manchester City team news as soon as we get it.

Another story from Cardiff's team selection today is that club-record signing Andreas Cornelius makes the bench. The Dane cost a reported £8m from FC Copenhagen in June.

MAN CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Garcia, Lescott, Clichy; Navas, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva; Dzeko, Aguero

Meanwhile, Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini also makes one change as Javi Garcia replaces the injured Vincent Kompany in defence.

MAN CITY SUBS: Pantilimon, Nastasic, Kolarov, Rodwell, Milner, Nasri, Negredo

As always, the visitors have named the kind of subs bench that would make most managers weep with joy. Just look at that wealth of talent on there, including £16m summer signing Alvaro Negredo.

As mentioned, Cardiff got their campaign off to a bad start last weekend as they went down 2-0 at West Ham. A second defeat on the today would maybe get a couple of alarm bells ringing around the Welsh capital, but you can be sure that the home fans will provide a raucous atmosphere inside the Cardiff City Stadium.

Incidentally, there has been a march outside of the ground today as Cardiff's fans celebrate the club's heritage. The team had their colours changed last season thanks to Malaysian owner Vincent Tan, but a group of supporters have stressed the importance of the club's true identity (blue shirts) ahead of this match.

Manchester City enjoyed a different sort of opening fixture to the season as they thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Monday.

Needless to say, the Blues are never really lacking in confidence, but that win over Newcastle is sure to have their tails wagging ahead of today's match.

A further point to be made about the Manchester City team news is that Yaya Toure makes his 100th Premier League start for the club. The Ivorian has been a huge presence in the side ever since his £24m move from Barcelona in 2011. So often he's driven the team on when they've been out of ideas, and he's likely to play another huge part for them this season as they look to win back the title.

One man who knows what it is to play for both teams is Craig Bellamy, who captains Cardiff today. The 34-year-old spent two years with Manchester City before joining his boyhood club on a permanent deal last summer. How he would enjoy getting on the scoresheet this afternoon.

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay on Sky Sports News: "You can see at the moment that it's going to be a fantastic atmosphere. It's great for the fans that we've got one of the top teams in Europe here and it's a great day for the club. When we get chances we've got to be clinical."

Right, with around five minutes to go until this one gets underway, it's time for a prediction. Cardiff are sure to give their all on an emotional day for the club, but it's hard to look past Manchester City getting the points. If they're allowed to play it could be another goal-fest for the visitors.

The players are out, the pre-match rituals are done, and it will be Cardiff to get this match underway. Here we go!

PENALTY SHOUT! Cardiff want an penalty inside the opening few seconds as Campbell goes down under the challenge of Lescott, but referee Lee Probert waves away the appeals. He was right to do so as the striker took a tumble far too easily there.

Both sides have started very brightly here, with lots of tussling for possession in midfield. Man City push forward through Toure, but his pass fails to pick out Navas.

CLOSE! Nearly an opening goal as Whittingham fires a free kick inches wide for the hosts. The midfielder lined the ball up around 30 yards from goal before whipping it just past Hart's left post.

As you would expect, the home fans are really getting behind their side at the moment. Bellamy is the latest Cardiff play to get a cheer as he slides in to win the ball from Silva.

SAVE! Another Whittingham free kick gives Hart all sorts of problems as the Man City goalkeeper sees it late before parrying it away. There are plenty of Cardiff shirts in there for the rebound, but the flag goes up for offside.

Disappointing from Man City there as a patient move ends with Toure's clipped ball over the top missing everyone and going out for a goal kick. There are signs that the visitors are starting to take control a bit more, though.

SHOT! Whittingham has another crack at goal, but this time it's from open play as his rasping 30-yarder is well held by Hart. To be fair, it was straight at the Man City goalkeeper.

Something of a half chance for the away side through Silva's dangerous cross, but Dzeko fails to keep his header on target.

Oooh, that's close. Campbell gets in behind the Man City defence with a clever run, only for the linesman's flag to go up for offside. Looking at the replays, there was only a matter of millimetres in it.

What a great tackle from Toure. Campbell looked as if he was about to burst clear of the Man City defence, but the midfielder was there to put in a hefty challenge which sees the ball go back to Hart. Dominant stuff from the Ivorian.

Another close offside call involving Campbell after the striker was picked out by Bellamy with just one Man City defender on his back. The flag goes up, but it's tight.

CLOSE! Man City threaten again through Toure, who's threaded pass to Dzeko has a bit too much on it and goes out of play for a goal kick. It's still very even with nearly 30 minutes on the clock.

It's an easy save for Cardiff goalkeeper Marshall as he gets down to hold Dzeko's header from Aguero's cross. Not lacking in entertainment so far, this match.

The home side are showing such determination at the moment. Whenever there's a battle for possession they usually have two or three men fighting for the ball.

SAVE! It's another relatively easy save for Marshall as the shotstopper gets a hold of Silva's tame drive from long range.

CHANCE! Man City get a sniff of goal when the ball breaks to Toure inside the penalty area, but the midfielder's left-footed shot is blocked by a Cardiff body.

A moment of panic inside the Cardiff area as Silva nearly gets his head to a cross from deep. It takes the home side a couple of attempts to get rid of the ball with the Spaniard hustling around them, but they eventually do.

CHANCE! Campbell chases a long ball over the top and gets ahead of two Man City defenders, but he can only prod the ball wide of goal with them snapping at his heels. It was a poor connection from the striker.

SAVE! Campbell gets another opportunity on the angle that Hart does well to smother. He made himself big there, the Man City shotstopper, and it worked.

We'll have two minutes of added time at the end of the first half.

HALF TIME: CARDIFF CITY 0-0 MANCHESTER CITY

The score might say otherwise, but that was a thoroughly entertaining first half at the Cardiff City Stadium. Both sides created plenty of chances and there lots of bite out there on the pitch.

The home fans will be really pleased with what they've seen from their players so far. Cardiff have battled away tremendously while causing the opposition defence all sorts of problems. Their back four has risen to the challenge, their work in midfield has been tireless, and their threat up front has been genuine.

However, the big question is: can they keep it going for another 45 minutes? Plenty of teams have given Man City a rough ride in the past, but they've often come undone late on.

Talking of the visitors, it was far from a vintage 45 minutes from them. There were a few sparks in attack, but they've looked quite unsure of themselves in defence. The team was given an easy ride against Newcastle at the start of the week. They know they're in a game now.

UPDATE: There is one other Premier League fixture being played this afternoon at White Hart Lane as Tottenham Hotspur host Swansea City. It's a similar story there as both teams are currently locked at 0-0 at the break.

Right, the players are out and it will be Man City to start this second half...

The visitors begin the second period putting a bit of pressure on the Cardiff goal, but all of that comes to an end as Lescott scoops the ball high over the crossbar from a corner.

GOAL! CARDIFF CITY 0-1 MAN CITY (DZEKO)

What a superb goal from Edin Dzeko to give Man City the lead! The Bosnian picks the ball up around 25 yards from goal and absolutely belts it into the top corner past Marshall. The visitors have looked a lot better early in this second half and they get their reward.

SUBSTITUTION: The first change of the afternoon comes from Man City as Samir Nasri replaces Jesus Navas.

The visitors are really putting on the pressure now. Aguero chases down the Cardiff defence and manages to win the ball before the danger is averted.

GOAL! CARDIFF CITY 1-1 MAN CITY (GUNNARSSON)

The Cardiff City Stadium erupts as the hosts get an equaliser through Aron Gunnarsson! Campbell saw his initial effort saved by Hart, but the Icelandic international was there to convert the rebound!

I'm sure there were a few Cardiff fans who feared the worst when Man City opened the scoring. However, the home side have reacted brilliantly and the momentum looks to be swinging back their way.

SUBSTITUTION: Man City make their second swap now as Edin Dzeko goes off for summer signing Alvaro Negredo.

Good goalkeeping from Marshall as he comes well off his line to collect the ball in a crowded penalty area. Right now, it's Man City who are asking the questions.

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay is barking instructions at his players on the touchline, telling them to slow play down. They haven't seen too much of the ball in these last few minutes and I'm sure Mackay is worried that the game could get away from them.

CHANCE! Heroic defending by Cardiff as the two or three bodies charge down Nasri just as the Frenchman is about to get his shot away inside the box. The ball eventually falls to Silva, but he can only curl the ball over.

SUBSTITUTION: A final change for City as James Milner comes on for Fernandinho. The Brazilian has been disappointing today, it must be said.

GOAL! CARDIFF CITY 2-1 MAN CITY (CAMPBELL)

Incredible scenes as Cardiff take the lead through Fraizer Campbell, but that has to go down as an error from Hart. The Man City goalkeeper flapped at a corner, allowing Campbell to bundle the ball in from close range.

SUBSTITUTION: Don Cowie comes on for Cardiff to make his Premier League debut, replacing Craig Bellamy. The captain goes off to a standing ovation.

Five minutes left of normal time and Cardiff look on course for a memorable victory. However, anyone who has watched Man City will tell you that they do not give up until that final whistle goes. Plenty of time for them to get something out of this.

GOAL! CARDIFF CITY 3-1 MAN CITY (CAMPBELL)

What can you say? Cardiff have surely put this to bed now as Fraizer Campbell rises highest at a corner to head in his side's third goal of the afternoon. No error from Hart there, just some great athleticism from the Cardiff striker.

I think what we can ascertain from today is that Man City look lost without their captain Vincent Kompany. Who knows if the result would have been different if he had played today, but he is certainly a huge presence for the Blues at the back.

SUBSTITUTION: Cardiff make another substitution, with Jordon Mutch coming on for Bo-Kyung Kim. There will be six minutes of added time.

GOAL! CARDIFF CITY 3-2 MAN CITY (NEGREDO)

Would you believe it? Man City have a goal back and there's four minutes of stoppage time remaining! Negredo scores his first goal in the Premier League as he loops his header past Marshall following Silva's cross. Meanwhile, Cardiff's record signing Andreas Cornelius replaces Fraizer Campbell.

WIDE! Man City nearly find an equaliser through Aguero, but the Argentine slices the ball wide from inside the area.

FULL TIME: CARDIFF CITY 3-2 MANCHESTER CITY

The final whistle goes and the Cardiff City Stadium goes absolutely crazy as Cardiff City beat Manchester City 3-2 on a memorable day for the club.

Ediz Dzeko gave the visitors the lead before Aron Gunnarsson got Cardiff level. Two goals from Fraizer Campbell then gave the hosts a comfortable advantage, but it was a nervy finish as Alvaro Negredo netted for Man City. However, the Welsh side were able to hold on and claim the points.

Anyway, that's all from me for now. Thank you very much for your company, and we hope to see you again soon here on Sports Mole. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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