Cardiff City 1-0 Norwich City: 10-man Bluebirds produce statement victory thanks to Romaine Sawyers stunner

Cardiff City began their Championship campaign with a statement win over promotion favourites Norwich City thanks to a debut stunner from Romaine Sawyers in a feisty affair which saw two red cards brandished.

In a wild, exhilarating, heated affair, it was Steve Morison's new-look Bluebirds who came out on top at Cardiff City Stadium. An even affair in the first half gave way to a combative and bitty second half, but it was Sawyers' beautiful strike straight after the break which was the difference between the two sides.

It all got a bit niggly late on, both Perry Ng and Grant Hanley were sent off following two bookable offences apiece, but the whole affair turned a bit sour. Morison, and the thousands of City fans inside the stadium, couldn't give a jot, though, with three points firmly in the bag.

So far as the team news was concerned, the main headline for the Bluebirds was that new captain Joe Ralls missed out due to the heated competition for three spots in midfield.

Ralls lost out, meaning Ryan Wintle, who donned the armband in his absence, Andy Rinomhota and Romaine Sawyers were tasked the marshalling things in the middle of the park.

Given the vast competition within the squad, new signing Jaden Philogene, who might not have been up to speed anyway, Joel Bagan and Mark McGuinness all missed out on the matchday squad all together.

All told, Steve Morison named seven debutants for the clash with the Canaries in a completely new-look XI to the one which finished the season against Derby County at Pride Park back in May.

Would a new start bring new fortunes after the disappointment of last season? Well, the match started about as well as City could have hoped for. Morison promised a new Bluebirds style and the fans