Bluebirds on song at Watford

Cardiff commited murder at the Vicarage with a 4-goal haul against Malky Mackay`s Hornets that left the Bluebirds chirping back to South Wales after an impressive week.


Watford, with a massive Captain America sized hole in their backline, were and truly exposed by a Cardiff side playing attractive, pacy football backed up by a bit of steel.

Ok, so Danny Graham gave Anthony Gerrard a hard time for 90 minutes, Clever Tom saw a couple of curlers well saved , Cowie rattled the bar with a free kick and Ellington showed signs of real impetus but truth of the matter was that was as good as it got really.

Dave Jones' side were unlucky not to be ahead through Burke before Cathcart (not so 'Cool as Craig` then) hauled back Bothroyd in the box with Whittingham [23] beating Loach all ends up from the spot.

And it could have been worse had Chopra not taken pity on the club where he spent a spell on loan, firing wide after great footwork by Bothroyd or Hudson`s header not hit the right hand post with Loach well beaten.

Malky Mackay said it "was a poor first half" and he wasn`t wrong!

5 minutes before the break, a freak 40 yard up and under from the fresh faced Adam Matthews [40] caught the tailend of a Force 9 gale and left Loach flapping like a baby seal as the ball bounced over his head into the net.

It was terrible misjudgement by the England U21 stopper...but at least he could blame the wind! (Think Fosters at Spurs a few seasons back but not quite as bad)

Second half and the Hornets gaffer reckons his side "gave it a real go" but that "real go" didn't reap rewards as Cardiff ran away with it.

Yes, Golden Graham shot over the bar when bearing down on 'pretty in pink` David Marshall (maybe Danny boy was blinded by that horrific keeper`s jersey) after a cut lil` lob throughball by Clever Tom.

Yes, a couple of Cowie corners caused panic in the Cardiff rearguard with Whittingham whacking clear off the line.

Yes, Ellington - on for Hoskins - hit a stinger that Marshall did well to deal with but Cardiff showed their class to record their first win at Watford in 9 attempts with another second half brace.

Whittingham [65] found the freedom of Hertfordshire to head home a Rae cross and then Bothroyd [67] displayed some gorgeous tricky feet to turn Cathcart inside out before firing with aplomb past Loach.

Chopra wasted a decent chance to make it 5 late on and Watford were fortunate not to give away another spot kick when a hand appeared to keep out a Hudson header right on the line.

Malky reckoned "4-nil flattered them" but Cardiff taught Watford a footballing lesson - end of.

The positives - Clever Tom was influential, Danny Graham continued to be menace (even working off scraps) and Duke Ellington did up the ante when he came on.

But, here at VitalWatford Towers, we are quick to credit where credit is due - Cardifff were just too good and well worth their 3 points.

Roll on Boro and the return on H.

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Spain