Three To Remember: Cardiff Commutes
Brighton & Hove Albion visit the Cardiff City Stadium for the first time in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, and here’s a look at three previous visits to the Welsh capital that have proven fruitful for the Seagulls. Albion have recorded two victories and two draws from their five trips to Cardiff City’s newest home, which opened in 2009, but the club’s most memorable visit to Cardiff arguably came in 2004 against different opposition. 30th May 2004 - Albion 1 Bristol City 0 After reaching the Division Two play-off final in dramatic fashion, following a last-gasp goal and penalty shootout victory over Swindon Town, Mark McGhee’s side met Bristol City at the Millennium Stadium. More than 65,000 supporters were in attendance to watch a tense game unfold, and the deadlock remained unbroken heading into the final ten minutes, with extra time and penalties looming. But with six minutes to go, Bristol City defender Danny Coles tripped Chris Iwelumo inside the box and Albion were awarded a penalty. Leon Knight took responsibility from 12 yards and showed coolness under immense pressure to pick out the bottom corner and fire the Seagulls into the second tier with a 1-0 victory. 17th August 2011 - Cardiff City 1 Albion 3 The Seagulls made their first visit to the Cardiff City Stadium in 2011, and both sides had won their opening two matches of the season, as Gus Poyet’s team made a positive start to life in the Championship. One thing was guaranteed — both sides would not finish the day with a 100% record, and after Ashley Barnes scored either side of half-time to make it 2-0, it looked as if Albion were favourites to maintain their record. Will Hoskins came off the bench in the 77th minute and fired a third goal ten minutes later, and despite Peter Whittingham’s 90th-minute consolation, the Seagulls claimed another impressive victory to remain second. 19th February 2013 - Cardiff City 0 Albion 2 The Bluebirds missed out on promotion via the play-offs during the 2011/12 campaign, but Malky Mackay’s side came back stronger the following season and raced into a commanding lead at the top of the Championship table. Cardiff were 21 points ahead of seventh-placed Albion when the teams met in February, but it was the Seagulls who drew first blood when Andrea Orlandi found the back of the net shortly before half-time. The hosts were nine matches unbeaten, of which they'd won seven, but Albion proved frustrating opponents for the league leaders, as they struggled to create their own success in front of goal. With time running out, Leonardo Ulloa’s deflected effort in the fourth minute of stoppage time wrapped the game up for Poyet’s men, who claimed a 2-0 victory over the eventual league champions.