Cardiff City 0-2 Leeds United: Pressure piles on Erol Bulut as 10-man Bluebirds succumb to fifth loss in six games

Cardiff City's miserable winless run stretched to six games after Leeds United battered them in a 2-0 defeat in the Welsh capital, piling the pressure on manager Erol Bulut in the process.

Quite how the scoreline ended so slender is a wonderment, really, although Jak Alnwick's gloves did have a big say in that. Cardiff's cause was dealt a massive blow when Joel Bagan was sent off early in the first half, but Largie Ramazani's strike on the half-hour put the visitors ahead before the break.

Alwnick was called into action with a penalty save in the second half, but Joel Piroe's late goal ensured a fifth defeat in six matches for the Bluebirds.

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Being a player down didn't help, but Cardiff were so far off the pace it was painful at times. The visitors dominated the ball and the chances and, all told, it was an ugly afternoon as far as the football was concerned. Where that leaves Bulut's future is for the higher-ups to decide.

After an emotional build-up to the game, including stunning tributes to the late Sol Bamba, it was time for action.

Leeds took control of the tie early on and never really let up. They looked a class apart in the opening 20 minutes, with Cardiff pinned back in their own half and the visitors flying forward to launch attacks.

And their task was made far harder when Joel Bagan was sent off after 23 minutes. Wilfried Gnonto was played through on goal and Bagan tugged the player back before he continued into the box before attempting to let off a shot. Referee Josh Smith brought play back, though, and brandished a red to the shocked Bagan, who was deemed to be the last man.

An uphill task now looked like Everest.

Jak Alnwick