Perry Ng header sparks Cardiff City pandemonium as Bluebirds do double over Bristol City

Perry Ng was the hero as Cardiff City clinched the Severnside derby double in a tense 1-0 win over Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

An underwhelming first half saw both sides spurn chances, while Erol Bulut’s side lost Kion Etete to injury shortly after the break. But while Bristol were repeatedly denied by the impressive Ethan Horvath, it was Ng who got the all-important goal.

The defender, who also scored in the Bluebirds’ 2-0 win in this fixture back in October, rose the highest to turn home David Turnbull’s corner, with a valiant defensive display ensuring the derby spoils returned to south Wales.

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After ending their winless run against Stoke City last weekend, Cardiff fielded a largely unchanged side, with David Turnbull coming in for the injured Karlan Grant the only alteration.

Both sides were met with roars as they took to the field, with the travelling Bluebirds support in fine voice. But although there were glimpses of that derby day spirit out on the pitch, it was an underwhelming first-half display for both sets of fans.

While the pitch was cleared after overnight snowfall in Bristol, the damp and drizzly conditions seemed to play a part from the off, with both sides overhitting passes in the opening exchanges. Cardiff, especially, looked a bit shaky with Nat Phillips nearly playing himself into trouble with a misplaced pass early on, while Etete and Josh Bowler struggled to get the ball under control at times.

The first real chances of the game fell to the hosts, but their clever moves were snuffed out by the Bluebirds defence before an appeal for a free-kick on the edge of the box was waved away.

Etete