Cardiff City 'alive and kicking' after victory over Brighton

Cardiff City are 'alive and kicking' according to boss Neil Warnock after their 2-0 away win over Brighton & Hove Albion boosted their Premier League survival prospects.
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock. Picture by PW Sporting Photography.Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock. Picture by PW Sporting Photography.
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock. Picture by PW Sporting Photography.

Goals from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and captain Sean Morrison saw the 18th-placed Bluebirds record their first win in five, moving them two points shy of safety.

Place-above Brighton do have a game in hand over Warnock's side, but their final five fixtures are significantly more difficult than Cardiff's.

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The Seagulls will take on Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, and Manchester City in three of their last four games, while the Bluebirds' travel to Liverpool this Saturday before finishing their season with a trip to Manchester United

But Cardiff will be buoyed by the fact their other two games consist of a trip to already relegated Fulham, as well as a home clash with Albion's arch-rivals Crystal Palace.

After the win over Brighton, Warnock hailed his sides 'disciplined' and 'clinical' performance after many had already condemned the Bluebirds to relegation.

He said: "So many pundits said it would be our last game in the Premier League, but we're alive and kicking.

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"I think we were 100-1 on to go down before tonight so I couldn't be more proud of this club.

"I was proud of our performance. I thought it was disciplined and I thought we were a little bit more clinical in the final third.

"I do think we could've created a few more. We did give a few sloppy passes away but overall we're delighted with all departments.

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"The fans were amazing tonight as well. It's a long way for them to come and I'm sure our lot will be thinking we can win our next four games now."

Cardiff have been on the receiving end of some contentious decisions over the past couple of weeks, but this time it seemed Lady Luck had finally smiled upon them.

Albion's Lewis Dunk looked to be hauled down in the box by the Bluebirds' Bruno Ecuele Manga on ten minutes, but referee Andre Marriner did not point to the spot.

Warnock admitted that he hadn't seen the penalty incident back, but believed that his side should have had a spot-kick of their own.

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He added: "I haven't seen it back but somebody told me that in the 28th minute we had a cert handball from a long throw.

"Their left-back (Bernardo) went with his hand and pushed it forwards so I think it might have been one each tonight really.