Bluebirds hold their nerve to book return to Wembley

Tom Heaton was the hero tonight as Cardiff City finally overcame Crystal Palace in a dramatic penalty shootout amid memorable scenes in the Welsh capital.

The former Manchester United stopper denied Jermaine Easter and then Sean Scannell to ensure that Kenny Miller’s opening miss went unpunished.

Tom Heaton 

Craig Conway, Rudy Gestede and Peter Whittingham held their nerve and the Bluebirds secured a fourth trip to the new Wembley, when Jonathan Parr blazed over to send the City of Cardiff Stadium into delirium.

Cardiff dominated the entirety of the second leg and went ahead early on when first leg hero Anthony Gardner put the ball into the back of his own net after he failed to deal with Don Cowie’s cross.

Kenny Miller, Filip Kiss and Aron Gunnarsson all struck the woodwork, as Palace’s backline held firm, despite the dismissal of the talismanic captain Paddy McCarthy late in the second half.

Much of the pre match talk came from Dougie Freedman, as he questioned City’s big game mentality. It seems nobody had told him that under Malky Mackay (barring a handful of players) are a new side. Freedman was unwise and ill advised in his pre game comments, and to be frank, Palace did not deserve a place at Wembley, on another night it could have been over a lot earlier.

Malky Mackay

They were on the back foot for whole game and they never looked liked creating an opening. Former Watford man Mackay has shown that he and his team do indeed have the ‘big game’ mentality that is required. Mackay has all the attributes to go a long way in management and can take Cardiff to the next level. 

Cardiff’s focus from here on in has to be promotion. Southampton’s recent dip in form has allowed a clear path into the mix up for the automatic places.

Regardless of the result against Liverpool or Manchester City, the former Watford boss has installed a new belief and winning mentality into this side and this is going to be key for the rest of the season. 

Gardner gives Palace the advantage in all Championship battle

It was tight and for the majority a dull encounter, but Crystal Palace lead at half time as Cardiff fail to make possession count in their Carling Cup semi final first leg clash. 

In a terrific atmosphere the Bluebirds dominated much of the first half as Ben Turner and Joe Ralls went close, but over the course of the game they failed to work Julian Speroni.

The turning point, and the games only goal, came two minutes from the break when former Spurs centre half Anthony Gardner, got on the end of Darren Ambrose’s cross, after former Manchester United keeper Tom Heaton failed to deal with the danger. 

Darren Ambrose 

The hero of Old Trafford was by far the most creative on the field although he will be disappointed that his side do not hold a greater advantage after spurning numerous set piece opportunities.

Dougie Freedman will have been delighted in the defensive show his side put on and the way they restricted Cardiff to so few openings.

Malky Mackay will be quietly confident that in two weeks time his side will be able to turn around the result and make their fourth appearance at the new Wembley. In Kenny Miller he has a man who he can call on to deliver, the Scottish international will have to have more of an influence on matters, after being left frustrated by Palace’s determined backline.

Kenny Miller and Malky Mackay 

At the end of the day first legs are difficult to judge because no one wants to be out of it, in this case both sets of fans will be confident of making their way to Wembley in February and potentially head off on a European adventure next season.