Nottingham Forest 0 Cardiff 2: Danny Ward missile strike seals win for Bluebirds who edge closer to Wolves at the top of Championship
A pair of first half goals sees the Bluebirds inch towards Wolves at the top of the table while Forest remain in ninth
Sponsored by
CARDIFF cemented their spot just behind Wolves at the top of the Championship with as Neil Warnock's side notched up a fourth consecutive victory at City Ground.
Junior Hoilett struck first for the Bluebirds before Danny Ward's screamer sealed the three points in the 2-0 win.
Forest have now lost seven of their last eight clashes with the Bluebirds and drawn once since they last beat them in October 2012.
Mark Warburton's side had been in good form at home, winning their previous four outings at the City Ground.
The Reds' Daryl Murphy failed to muster enough power in an early header to trouble Neil Etheridge while Kieran Dowell had a shot well blocked in a cagey start to the game.
Bluebirds skipper Sean Morrison was close to an own goal when dealing with a driven cross from Ben Osborn but the defender had a key role to play as the visitors took the lead - Morrison got on the end of a Joe Ralls free-kick to head the ball back into the danger zone, where Hoilett reacted quickest to send a header of his own beyond Jordan Smith.
most read in football
Forest should have pulled level when a shot from Tyler Walker was deflected to Barrie McKay at the far post. He unselfishly cut the ball back for Murphy, but the big striker fired over uncharacteristically.
The Reds had a strong penalty claim when Manga seemed to clearly handle a cross from Armand Traore, but referee Peter Bankes did not agree.
Salt was rubbed in the Forest wound when Cardiff almost immediately doubled their lead with a fantastic strike.
There seemed to be little danger when Ward collected possession on the right but he had other ideas, cutting inside to drive towards the penalty area and let fly with an unstoppable shot from 20 yards.
With seven minutes to go until half-time, the Welsh side were in control despite the fact that Forest had perhaps created the better openings.
Cardiff had already been looking to slow the game down but they upped the ante further after the break, taking every opportunity to wind down the clock and edge ever closer to three points.
💰How to claim your FREE £30 bet💰
1
2 Bet £10 or more
3 Sun Bets will stick a £30 bet in your account
When Forest did manage to raise the tempo, they carved out a decent chance for Walker as McKay drove a low pass into the penalty area - but the forward tried to place the ball into the bottom corner and Etheridge saved well.
Sub Mustapha Carayol almost pulled a goal back for Forest immediately after coming on, but saw his driven shot bravely blocked by Morrison.