Cardiff City 1-2 Watford: Hornets produce comeback win as Bluebirds' set-piece frailties cost them dearly

Cardiff City surrendered an early lead against Watford after set-piece goals from Francisco Sierralta and Ismaila Sarr consigned the Bluebirds to a 2-1 defeat.

It all started so brightly for City, too, with Cedric Kipre heading home early on to hand the hosts the lead following an encouraging start. But then the true might of the Hornets came back to sting City, who crumbled during set-piece time.

Headed goals either side of half-time was enough to see Watford claim all three points, which now of course means Cardiff's record reads three defeats in the last four games. Hardly ideal, but Watford was always going to be a tough ask.

Jaden Philogene's match-winning cameo off the bench against Rotherham United earned him a recall to the starting XI for the first time since the defeat by Huddersfield Town on September 17, the last match Steve Morison took charge of.

That meant it was his first start under interim boss Mark Hudson, with Sheyi Ojo having been relegated to the bench.

The only other change saw Mahlon Romeo, who has been impressive all season and made an impact off the bench on Saturday, come in instead of Tom Sang, who had to settle for a place on the bench.

None of the injured players managed to make a comeback, most notably Rubin Colwill, who was absent once again with the World Cup clock ticking. He, and Cardiff, hope he recovers from his hip-flexor issue very sharpish.

With or without the attacking prowess of Colwill, Cardiff's attacking play clicked right from the off. They put Watford under pressure and started the better of the two sides without a shadow of doubt.

The Bluebirds' forward play earned an early corner, not usually much of an attacking threat for opposition teams this season, with Cardiff having