Cardiff City and Everton played out an entertaining 0-0 stalemate at the Cardiff City Stadium, as the home side defended resolutely and the Toffees pushed hard for the winner late on.
However Roberto Martinez’ side made it three-straight draws to start off the season as they were left frustrated for the third weekend in a row.
A bright start to each half saw Cardiff force the issue but Malky Mackay’s men were good value for their point as they held on for the shutout.
Craig Bellamy had their best chance in the second half but his touch was far too heavy as he rounded USMNT ‘keeper Tim Howard in the 60th minute and the chance evaporated. As for Everton, they came close on several occasions in the first half with Ross Barkley, Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas all working Cardiff’s ‘keeper David Marshall.
In the first half Cardiff came flying out of the traps and piled the pressure on the visitors. But in the 9th minute there was some great build up play from Everton’s Pienaar, who cut inside from the left and found Barkley who made a mazy run before his shot was deflected shot wide. From the ensuing corner a goalmouth scramble took place as Marouane Fellaini came close to scoring.
The Bluebirds looked composed early on in the beautiful conditions in the Welsh capital and caused Howard plenty of problems with Bellamy’s vicious inswinging corners after 15 minutes as the Bluebirds pushed forward.
Cardiff City’s Aron Gunnarsson (R) is challenged by Everton’s Ross Barkley during their English Premier League soccer match at Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales August 31, 2013. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR “LIVE” SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS
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In the 24th minute Mirallas headed over from a free kick when he really should have done better and tested Marshall in goal. And moments later in the 28th minute, the Belgian international had another opportunity to score with his head following great work from Croatian international Nikica Jelavic.
The lanky frontman found himself by the left corner flag and curled in a delightful ball that found Mirallas unmarked but once again the Belgian fluffed his lines as Cardiff’s fans breathed a sigh of relief down by the River Taff.
And wave after wave of Everton attack continued to reign down on Cardiff’s goal as the Toffees made all the moves in the first half, with Cardiff pinned back onto the edge of their own box.
In the 41st minute, Leighton Baines made a slaloming run down the left and was taken down by Cardiff’s Chilean midfielder Gary Medel in the box. No penalty was given and Roberto Martinez was not happy with the decision by the referee.
And in first half stoppage time, Seamus Coleman clipped in a great ball to the near post and Jelavic’s header was deflected towards goal and looked to be heading in but Marshall somehow sprung to the his left to make the stop. On second viewing, the header hit defender Ben Turner’s arm and another shout for a penalty went by the wayside.
In the second half Cardiff again started brightly, as a corner found right back Matt Connolly but his shot went wide as the home fans had something to shout about at last.
Everton continued to press but Cardiff had the best chance of the second half on the hour mark, as Craig Bellamy burst through on goal. However the Welshman’s touch around advancing Everton ‘keeper Howard was too heavy and the Toffees were let off the hook.
The Merseyside outfit continued to push forward as the game wore on and substitute Arouna Kone was thwarted by Marshall in Cardiff’s goal, however the Ivorian had strayed offside but his shot was saved from point blank range anyway.
Tempers flared up in the second half on a few occasion as the game got scrappy and both teams were desperate to take away at least a point. And it ended 0-0, despite Everton’s best efforts with Fellaini and Kone tried to break through late on.
No doubt that Cardiff City will be the happier of the two sides as they ground out a valuable point at home whilst Everton are still searching for their first win of the season. It will feel like another opportunity missed for Martinez and his players but they are still unbeaten after three consecutive draws.
The Toffees are in 14th spot, while Cardiff occupy 10th with four points from three games in the Premier League.
LINEUPS
Cardiff City: Marshall, Connolly, Caulker, Turner, Taylor, Whittingham, Medel (Mutch 89), Kim (Maynard 82), Gunnarsson, Bellamy (Cowie 79), Campbell. Subs not used: Lewis; Hudson, Gestede, Noone.
Everton: Howard, Coleman, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Mirallas (Deulofeu 86), Pienaar, Osman, Barkley, Fellaini, Jelavic (Kone 68). Subs not used: Robles, Heitinga, Oviedo,Naismith, Stones.