Cardiff City 0-1 Birmingham City: Lacklustre Bluebirds downed by Juninho Bacuna goal

Cardiff City were left frustrated as a controversial Birmingham City goal consigned them to defeat in the Welsh capital.

Despite enjoying periods of dominance, Cardiff were painfully lacking in quality at the top end of the pitch against the Blues. And it took just one moment before the half-time break to settle the tie.

During stoppage time in the first half, Juninho Bacuna rounded Alex Runarsson and tapped home after Cardiff felt aggrieved not to have been awarded a foul at the other end of the pitch seconds earlier. City fans also argued it was over the allotted two minutes of stoppage time.

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Cardiff's record against Birmingham was excellent heading into the match, having not lost to them in their last 10 meetings. But Wednesday night was a stretch too far. A lacklustre performance that sees the Bluebirds keeping an ever-firmer eye on the January transfer window.

Rubin Colwill was handed his first league start of the season against the Midlands side after a number of bright showings off the bench in recent weeks, forcing Callum Robinson out of the side in the process. While Kion Etete was also rewarded with a start after a positive outing against Millwall at the weekend.

Yakou Meite was also named out on the right flank, meaning Josh Bowler dropped to the bench. Joe Ralls was omitted from the squad all together with what we understand to be a minor injury he picked up in recent days.

And Cardiff were forced into an early change, with Perry Ng feeling his head and going down twice in the opening 15 minutes. It meant Mahlon