Two more goals for Fabio Carvalho lift the Tigers to a well-deserved away day triumph.
Hull City delivered a convincing effort and outcome to defeat Cardiff City 3-1, reviving what had appeared to be a dormant play-off campaign.
After six games without a win and three defeats, Liam Rosenior’s team knew there was no room for error, and that sense was heightened before kick-off when word broke that Norwich had beaten Ipswich to cement their hold on sixth position.
Fabio Carvalho’s first-half brace and Jaden Philogene’s first goal since the win at Rotherham in February secured the Tigers’ first victory since late February in Southampton. City now faces the difficulty of producing this type of outcome in front of their own fans.
This season has seen numerous significant victories for a variety of reasons, but this one ranks among the most poignant. So many questions: six games without a win, play-off dreams dangling by a thread, and Norwich winning before the game.
Rosenior’s men executed a performance, allowing them to answer some of those questions and return to winning ways. The only way they can defeat the Canaries is to win games and hope David Wagner’s team makes mistakes. If that happens, City must ensure that they are present to take maximum benefit.
City’s performance featured a number of great individual performances as well as a strong, elegant team effort against a Cardiff side that had regained some form in recent weeks and was still in with a chance of finishing in the top six. Jacob Greaves was superb in his return from suspension, while Alfie Jones was good alongside him. Tyler Morton until he went off, Jean Michael Seri in front of them, and Fabio Carvalho for his brace were all impressive, but none could top Abdush Omur’s total performance.
His performance was great and enjoyable to see. The way he handles the ball, his technique with it at his feet, and his work rate are all excellent. This was a performance that earned a goal, and if not for the breadth of Ethan Horvath’s right-hand post, he would have scored. Horvath’s tackle to win the ball and shot, which he tipped onto the post, resulted in the corner that Carvalho scored from.
Not only that, but his efforts to track back were critical. In the second quarter, he made a double-sliding tackle on the edge of his box as Cardiff pushed. No matter what happens in the final six games, he will be a pivotal figure next season.
Rosenior’s guys were questioned. They had gone six games without a win, and there was a rising sense of tension and concern that if results did not improve, the season might fizzle out, which would be disastrous. That pressure only rose before kick-off, thanks to Norwich’s victory against an abysmal Ipswich performance in the Old Farm derby, which essentially widened the gap between the two sides to 10 points on goal difference.
The guys needed to go out and not only perform well, but also secure three points, which they achieved with ease. There is no space for error in their remaining games, and each one will be fraught with the possibility of defeat, thus ending the season.
Some players will benefit from this, while others may struggle. Between now and full-time on May 4, City will need to summon massive amounts of courage and character to keep things going for as long as possible, and if they can, you never know. They won’t give up, and neither should their fans. This is the Championship; it’s a crazy league where anything may happen, especially in the final couple of weeks.
As we reported on Thursday, Rosenior’s family has had a difficult few days as a result of the vile racial abuse he has received, so it was encouraging to hear a strong show of solidarity from away supporters in South Wales early on.
Their enthusiastic support lasted throughout the game, and at the end of the game, when the players and staff came over to thank their efforts, Rosenior picked up a ‘Say No To Racism’ banner given to him by a fan and raised it above his head to applause from those who had travelled a great way.
Rosenior’s family, particularly his children, will take great comfort from the support he’s received in the days after the discoveries ahead of the His father and brother, who were in the grandstand, will also make the trek to South Wales.
City now have two games at home in the space of a few days, and considering their struggles in front of their own fans this season, they simply need to give them something to hold to and keep their spirits up.
Seven victories in 20 games isn’t good enough, and Liam Rosenior doesn’t need to be reminded of that since it’s the one thing that has seriously harmed their play-off chances, especially when compared to the ten wins they’ve now had on the road.
Boro and QPR are up next, and after these two are out of the way, only Ipswich will remain at the MKM Stadium, and it is critical that they win, plain and simple.
