Cardiff City faced a tough outing at Blackpool, succumbing to a 3-1 defeat in a match where their defensive frailties were left brutally exposed. Despite a promising first half, where they looked competitive and created several chances, the Bluebirds couldn’t maintain their composure in the second half against the Tangerines. Ashley Fletcher starred for Blackpool with a brace, and Tom Bloxham capped off the performance with a late goal, highlighting Cardiff’s woes.
Cardiff started shakily, missing passes and losing key battles in midfield, only to find their rhythm as the first half progressed. Rubin Colwill was instrumental, testing Blackpool’s keeper with several sharp attempts. However, the true turning point came shortly after the break when Fletcher smashed in a stunning strike that left Cardiff chasing the game.
While Cardiff piled on the pressure attempting to equalise, Blackpool struck again on the counter, with Fletcher calmly doubling their lead. Cardiff’s defence continued to crumble under pressure, allowing Bloxham to net a third, effectively sealing their fate. A late consolation goal by Yousef Salech, capitalising on a fumble by Blackpool’s goalie, was too little, too late.
This defeat marks a concerning trend for Cardiff, having lost five of their last eight league matches. It’s clear that the team needs to regroup during the international break and tighten their defence to turn their season ambitions around. If they plan to push for promotion, performances like this just won’t cut it. Let’s hope the Bluebirds find their form soon!