Substitute Yousef Salech scored a dramatic last-minute equalizer to secure a vital point for Cardiff City in the Severnside Derby against play-off hopefuls Bristol City.
After a lackluster first half, the match came alive with a flurry of chances for both teams. Robins captain Jason Knight broke the deadlock, heading home from Yu Hirakawa’s precise free-kick.
Cardiff pressed relentlessly for an equalizer but struggled to find the quality needed as they appeared destined for a third consecutive league defeat.
However, in the dying moments, substitutes Aaron Ramsey and Cian Ashford combined brilliantly to set up Salech, who finished from close range to rescue a potentially crucial point for the Bluebirds in their fight against relegation.
The result keeps Bristol City in seventh place, one point outside the play-off spots, missing an opportunity to break into the top six. Meanwhile, Cardiff remain 20th in the Championship, now three points clear of the relegation zone, with several of their rivals still to play.
Cardiff, aiming to rediscover the form that saw them go eight matches unbeaten before a 7-0 loss at Leeds two weeks ago, started sluggishly. Their only early chance was a tame effort from Callum O’Dowda against his former club. Bristol City, entering the match two points shy of the play-off places, also lacked creativity, failing to record a shot on target during a forgettable first half.
The game improved significantly after halftime, delivering more excitement in 10 minutes than in the entire opening period. Cardiff had the first real opportunities, with Anwar El Ghazi heading over before setting up Callum Robinson, whose volley went wide.
The missed chances spurred Bristol City into action, with substitute Hirakawa forcing a fine low save from Jak Alnwick. Moments later, the Robins took the lead as Hirakawa delivered an outswinging free-kick that Knight headed in, sparking jubilant celebrations in the away section despite Cardiff’s appeals for offside.
Bristol had a chance to double their advantage through Sam Bell, who headed over from Haydon Roberts’ cross. Cardiff’s substitutions, particularly Ramsey—making his first league appearance since August—and Ashford, injected energy and creativity into their attack.
In the final minute, Ramsey threaded a perfect through ball to Ashford, whose low cross was met by a sliding Salech, sending the home crowd into raptures. The equalizer was a bitter blow for Bristol City’s traveling fans, who saw their hopes of entering the Championship’s top six slip away.