Cardiff on verge of relegation after Burnley defeat

Cardiff City were left facing almost certain relegation after a 2-0 defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor.

A win was essential for Cardiff to start to climb towards safety with relegation looming, while Burnley had the chance to move into mid-table with three points.

Burnley went ahead after a succession of set pieces saw Dwight McNeil - grabbing his fifth assists of the season - continue his excellent form by setting up Chris Wood for an unmarked header from a corner

Tempers threatened to spill over when Ashley Barnes and Joe Bennett tackled, with Barnes appearing to then kiss his opponent’s nose.

In the second half, there was confusion as Ben Mee conceded - it seemed - a penalty after handling twice in the box in two events seconds apart, before Mike Dean correctly decided to rescind the awarded spot-kick.

With seconds remaining in the match, McNeil added another assist with a clever run and cross that deflected into the path of Chris Wood to head into an empty net.

Was it a penalty? It is safe to assume that Neil Warnock will be furious with the decision after two close calls in quick succession, but for once it appears that we can be sympathetic to Mike Dean, who was patient and deliberate in getting to the right decision in relatively little time.

Neil Etheridge (Cardiff): It is often deceiving to see a ‘keeper lower down the league and overrate him. Simon Mignolet looked brilliant at Sunderland but could not keep his cool at Liverpool, for example. But here and recently, Etheridge has been reliable for Cardiff and pulled off a few impressive stops too. If Cardiff go down he could well keep his place in the top flight.

Burnley: Heaton 6, Lowton 6, Tarkowski 6, Mee 6, Taylor 6, Hendrick 7, McNeil 7, Cork 6, Westwood 6, Barnes 7, Wood 7.

Cardiff: Etheridge 7, Peltier 6, Morrison 6, Ecuele Manga 5, Bennett 5, Gunnarsson 5, Arter 6, Hoilett 6, Camarasa 6, Murphy 6, Zohore 6. Subs: Decordova-Reid 6,, Mendez-Laing x, Niasse 6.

27’ - ETHERIDGE SAVE - Westwood is released down the inside right with a clever pass from Barnes, he sizes up the goal, and drills a low shot at goal that Etheridge is down smartly to save.

31’ - GOAL! Burnley 1-0 Cardiff City. Wood scores - A corner on the right wing for Burnley, McNeil swings it in to the six-yard box, and Wood times his run to glance it into the far corner unmarked.

47’ - PENALTY! Mee is penalised for handling a cross in the box.

49’ - NO! The penalty is called off. Dean went over to the touchline and discussed the award with the assistant referee. There could be some confusion here, because Mee had blocked a shot from Arter seconds before, and perhaps the assistant wanted to award that one, rather than the cross.

54’ - ARTER SHOT - Arter races onto the ball just outside the box, and he curls in a fierce shot over the bar.

90+2’ - GOAL! Burnley 2-0 Cardiff City. Wood scores - McNeil is at it again. He strides into the space on the left, skips past two players and sends in a low cross. It flicks off Manga and Wood is there ready to head in from a yard out.