Cardiff City 0-2 Preston North End: Bluebirds fall to third home defeat in a row after first-half goals

Cardiff City succumbed to their third home defeat in a row after two goals in nine first-half minutes from Preston North End earned the visitors a 2-0 triumph in south Wales.

The Bluebirds looked comfortable enough until Emil Riis and Ben Whiteman's goals in relatively quick succession firmly burst City's bubble.

For all of Cardiff's impressive build-up play, they still look far too unconvincing with 20 yards of the opponent's goal. It's a problem which has plagued them all season and, unfortunately for them, shows no sign of changing any time soon.

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Cardiff made two changes from the team which beat Watford last weekend. Mark McGuinness, who was an injury doubt, made way for Nat Phillips, who was handed his full Bluebirds debut after coming off the bench at Vicarage Road a week ago.

The other change saw David Turnbull come in for his first start in place of Rubin Colwill. Harsh, perhaps, given how well Colwill had played in recent months, but Turnbull has also been brought in to play, so Erol Bulut has tough calls to make, week to week.

Joe Ralls also returned to the bench after his injury struggles, while Ethan Horvath was also named among the substitutes after his visa came through.

The hosts enjoyed periods of real dominance in the opening throes of the game, controlling the ball and looking a real threat until they got to within 20 yards of the opposition goal.

But City were reduced to shots from Karlan Grant and Kion Etete from the edge of the area and the efforts were too easy for Freddie Woodman, who comfortably scooped them up.

But it is not unfair to say that the Bluebirds dominated the opening half