Brentford 1 Cardiff 3: Bluebirds open gap above Aston Villa with comeback win
Despite falling behind on their travels, Neil Warnock's side secured a crucial three points as Villans lost to QPR
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NEILWARNOCK was in seventh heaven as his Bluebirds took another big step towards automatic promotion.
Neil Maupay’s goal gave Brentford a flying start before Sol Bamba, Callum Paterson and Kenneth Zohore fired Cardiff to their seventh successive victory.
The night saw Cardiff tighten their grip on second place, and all but end the Bees’ play-off hopes.
Brentford learned their lesson from being on the receiving end of a fast start at Millwall on Saturday, where they conceded the winner after 51 seconds.
They came blazing out of the blocks and in the first minute Maupay’s low drive was beaten away by the left leg of goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
Sean Morrison then got it wrong when he tried to step up and catch Maupay offside.
The Bees striker ran on to Sergi Canos’ pass in the left channel and steered a left-footed shot inside the far post from the edge of the box.
Cardiff came to life and Bees goalkeeper Dan Bentley used his legs to keep out an effort from Paterson.
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The home defence looked fragile and were lucky to survive when Zohore crossed from the left and Junior Hoilett’s side-footed volley was pushed behind by Bentley.
Hoilett’s corner was not cleared and when it fell to Bamba inside the right edge of the area, he turned and drove a swerving shot inside the far post.
Bentley had to come off his line smartly to deny Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, and Nico Yennaris had to clear off his own line, before another defensive lapse proved costly for the hosts.
Josh Clarke lost out to Hoilett and he picked out Paterson with low a cross from the left which he fired home – scoring for the third game running.
For Bluebirds boss Warnock, only his second win in 14 trips to the capital was sealed early in the second half.
Hoilett helped the ball into the six-yard box from the right and while the Bees defenders hesitated, Zohore tucked it inside the near post.