Bristol City player ratings: Winger scored 7/10 but timid midfielder gains 5/10 v Cardiff

Bristol City’s nine-game unbeaten run in the Championship came to an end as Cardiff City claimed a 2-0 win in South Wales in the Severnside Derby.

Sory Kaba and Jaden Philogene were both on target for the Bluebirds in the second-half as the Robins fell to their second successive defeat. To add insult to injury, both Joe Williams and Tomas Kalas had to come off after making injury complaints.

City started on the front foot and Mark Sykes was involved in two half-chances for the visitors, first nearly finding Sam Bell with a low cross, before heading over from a miss-hit shot from Joe WIlliams that acted as a pass.

Max O’Leary made the first save of the match as Sheyi Ojo shot from 25-yards out, and Tomas Kalas was able to block on the follow-up. City were unfortunate not to go ahead as first Alex Scott’s header was cleared off the line before Anis Mehmeti’s follow-up was blocked by Ryan Allsop. In the build-up to the attack, Joe Williams pulled and had to be replaced by Andi Weimann.

Cardiff broke the deadlock early in the second-half with the defence caught out by a simple ball over the top by Ryan Wintle. Wintle played it over the top and Kaba was able to head past O’Leary.

Despite several substitutions, including an enforced one for Tomas Kalas who came off, it was Cardiff who scored next. Philogene wasn’t tackled by Dasilva nor Mehmeti and his low-driven shot sneaked past O’Leary. Kion Etete nearly furthered Cardiff’s advantage but his shot dragged just past the post.

In a moment of madness, Ryan Allsop was red carded and replaced by outfield player Perry Ng, after the hosts had used their allotted ubstitutes. Nahki Wells couldn’t profit however as his free-kick hit the wall. Wells then flicked a header at Ng, who was alert to his chance. Despite several minutes of a man advantage and playing against an outfield player, they could not get any clear-cut chances on Cardiff who put men behind the ball to retain their clean sheet.

Max O’Leary - 5

A collective error for Kaba’s goal, but should he have done better with Philogene’s shot? He made a good block to deny Ojo.

George Tanner (subbed off, 60) - 6

Brought off like he was against Man City to allow Sykes to go wing-back and for City to go more attacking. Cardiff’s attacking threat came from the other side.

Zak Vyner - 6

Cardiff’s first goal was something that could have been dealt with but somehow Kaba squeezed his way past the two central defenders.

Tomas Kalas (subbed off, 67) - 6

Forced off with what seems like an injury which is a major blow given the lack of options at centre-back. His absence would ertainly be felt.

Cameron Pring - 6

Pring had to move to centre half after Kalas’ injury but Cardiff were able to get through him several times.

Matty James - 5

James is an unsung hero for City, but today he allowed the Cardiff midfielders to go past him. The loss of Williams in the centre was a blow.

Joe Williams (subbed off, 23) - 6

A mis-hit shot that ended up as a cross for Sykes was Williams’ best involvement. He was forced off after complaining of an injury, which hopefully won’t be too serious.

Alex Scott - 6

Williams’ injury meant that Scott had to go deep after Weimann was brought on. He couldn’t influence the game as he’d have liked from such a deeper role.

Mark Sykes - 7

City’s best attacking outlet, for sure in the first-half. He was accurate with his crossing and had the beating of Ralls. He went to wing-back but it didn’t have the desired effect.

Sam Bell (subbed off, 60) - 6

Bell wasn’t able to impact the game as he would have liked. He was leading the line but didn’t have any chances of note.

Anis Mehmeti - 6

Memeti had City’s best chances, first with a close-ranged shot that was blocked on the line. He then forced a save out of Allsop from a free-kick.

Andi Weimann (subbed on, 23) - 6

Weimann had some moments in the early stages of the second-half and made some good crosses but his teammates couldn’t get on the end of them.

Nahki Wells (subbed on, 60) - 5

Failed to score against an outfield player in goals with two chances, including a free-kick on the edge of the box.

Harry Cornick (subbed on, 60) - 5

Came on but made several loose passes, which he wasn’t able to retrieve possession back from.

Jay Dasilva (subbed on, 67) - 5

Failed to make a challenge on Philogene who was able to double Cardiff’s lead.