Southampton 2-0 Cardiff City: Bluebirds blown away by early Adam Armstrong double to suffer three defeats in four

Cardiff City were blown away by an early Adam Armstrong double at Southampton as Erol Bulut's side suffered back-to-back defeats in the space of five days.

Armstrong netted twice in the space of four minutes inside the first quarter of an hour and the Bluebirds had very little response in what was a poor away showing at St Mary's.

It showed the gulf in class between a team who will likely be a promotion-chasing side come the end of the season and a side in Cardiff who still look like they need a lot more quality if they have designs on a play-off spot come May. Sign up to our Cardiff City newsletter here.

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Bulut was able to recall Jamilu Collins and Karlan Grant after the duo missed the midweek defeat by West Brom. It allowed Perry Ng to move over to his more accustomed position on the right-hand side of defence, while Ollie Tanner took his spot on the bench. Ryan Wintle was also preferred to Joe Ralls in midfield.

The tinkering had the adverse effect Bulut desired, though, because Cardiff produced their worst start of the season by a country mile. Russell Martin's side dominated possession, territory and, crucially, the scoreline.

Saints became emboldened the longer they kept hold of the ball and began to flood players forward. Only 10 minutes had gone when Armstrong netted his first. The striker was found on the edge of the City box, got it out of his feet and then produced a cute swivel and shot on goal. The ball flew into the top corner leaving Alex Runarsson helpless.

The hosts picked up a head