Live updates: Cardiff City vs Leeds United

Sky Bet Championship

Cardiff City 0

Leeds United 3 (Bamford 13’, James 31’, Georginio 88’)

Cardiff: Alnwick (GK), Goutas, McGuinness, Wintle, Ralls (C) (Colwill 44’), Etete (Meite 45’), Bowler (Tanner 74’), Grant, Collins, Siopis (Rinomhota 45’), NG. Subs not used: Runarsson (GK), Romeo, Sawyers, Ashford.

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Firpo (Byram 84’), Ampadu (C), Kamara (Shackleton 90’), Bamford (Piroe 90’), Summerville (Anthony 90’), Rodon, James (Gnonto 90’), Gray, Rutter, Gruev. Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Poveda, Gelhardt, Joseph.

Referee: Oliver Langford 

Booked: NG (Cardiff) Gruev (Leeds)

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium

Attendance: 25,991

Leeds United travelled to the Welsh capital to face Cardiff City, in a first league away match of 2024 for Daniel Farke’s side. 

An excellent first half display from the Whites saw goals from Patrick Bamford and Dan James, before Georginio Rutter secured the points at the end of the second half. 

To open the scoring, Junior Firpo went on a jinking run from his left-back position, before cleverly cutting inside and finding Georginio. 

He then played in Crysencio Summerville, who crossed low into the box and when the ball cannoned off Firpo, Bamford was perfectly placed to fire home at close range.  

Georginio then created another good opening for the Whites. He had linked up well with Glen Kamara to break forward, before playing in Summerville, but the winger was denied by Jak Alnwick who was quick out of his goal to stop the Dutchman’s effort. 

Daniel Farke’s side were on top in the game and creating good chances. Next to be denied was Bamford, who was played into the box by Dan James, only to see Alnwick stand firm and deny the shot again.  

When the home side had efforts on goal, they were limited to shots from range. Karlan Grant twice tried his luck from roughly 25-yards out, both times missing the target, but the warning signs of his intentions were there. 

The pressure continued and Leeds had a more than deserved second goal, with 15 minutes to go until half-time. Kamara again burst forward and played in Summerville, who drilled the ball across the box. Alnwick got a touch on it, but James was there on the line to finish it on the goal-line! 

In search of another, the Whites kept pushing forward. Alnwick was called into action once more and the ‘keeper did well to dive to his left and deny Georgina’s powerful low strike. 

A strong first half showing from Farke’s side was brought to a close with the sound of the referee’s whistle, sending the Whites into their dressing room with a two-goal advantage. 

HALF TIME: Cardiff City 0-2 Leeds United 

Back out for the second half, Leeds were looking to keep control of the match and continue to create chances in the Welsh capital. Looking to find a way back into the game, Cardiff had made a double change, bringing on Yakou Meite and Andy Rinomhota.  

First to go close in the second 45 minutes at the Cardiff City Stadium was Summerville. Bamford had found him on the edge of the box and looking to fire low into the bottom corner, he struck just wide of the post. 

Up from right-back, Archie Gray played a brilliant ball for James to race onto. He did just that and when inside the box, lobbed the ball over the onrushing Alnwick, but saw his chipped effort hit the top of the crossbar and go behind. 

Inside the final 15 minutes, Cardiff did start to threaten the Leeds goal. Rubin Colwill played substitute Rinomhota into the box and he forced a good save from Illan Meslier. 

Just seconds after that chance though, Leeds had another big one of their own. Georginio was through on goal and with Alnwick off his line, tried to lob him, but the ‘keeper turned over the bar. 

From the resulting corner though, Georginio was brought down by Mark McGuinness and a penalty was awarded. Unfortunately though from the spot, Summerville’s penalty struck the post and was cleared.  

As the game edged closer to its conclusion, Leeds weren’t to be denied a third this time around, as Farke’s side wrapped up the three points!

A free-flowing team move began with Georginio playing a ball over the top, James used his pace to race onto it, he squared for Summerville in the box, who played it back to the edge of the box, Bamford jumped over and dummied it before Georginio collected, composed himself and fired home!

A brilliant team goal ended an excellent performance on the road for Leeds United, who travelled back to West Yorkshire with three important points.

FULL TIME: Cardiff City 0-3 Leeds United