By Jemma Tappenden
September 26 2007

It was the first time West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City have ever crossed paths in the League Cup. Tony Mowbray named seven changes to the side that beat Scunthorpe in the Championship at the weekend. Ex-Wolves boss Dave Jones bought a full strength squad to the Hawthorns.

Full back Shelton Martis made his debut for Albion, whilst Hodgkiss, Pele, Beattie, Morrison, Chaplow and Tininho were all recalled for a start.  The new look Baggie defence faced a baptism of fire in Fowler and Hasselbaink up front for Cardiff.

 

Supporters did not have to wait long for their first slice of action.  Unfortunately Baggies fans on the wrong side of it as ex-Liverpool hitman Robbie Fowler took just 3 minutes to do what no other visiting team had done at the Hawthorns this season – score.  Unmarked Fowler was able to slot home past keeper Dean Kiely after receiving a low cross into the box from Cardiff captain Stephen McPhail.    The intense start was followed by immediate action at the other end of the field, Miller believing he had equalled the score line for Albion after finding the net with his second attempt from a Tininho through ball.  But the offside flag ruled that his effort would not count.

 

Despite early setback Albion pressed, Miller nearly finding the net for a second time when Morrison set him clear of the Cardiff defence.  Unfortunately for Miller, keeper Michael Oakes was more than equal to the shot. Despite a sustained period of pressure with a host of chances, Albion were stunned by a second Cardiff goal in the 22^nd minute.  Hasselbaink found space 25 yards out of goal, and launched a fierce right footed shot which beat Kiely to make the score 0-2.

 

The second Cardiff goal stunned Albion to the extent that they went on to score 2 more in 5 minutes.  Martis brought down Joe Ledley in the 27^th minute, leaving Fowler to send Kiely the wrong way and converting his penalty to make it three.  Two minutes later Tininho diverted Capaldi’s cross straight into the path of Sinclair who drilled the ball home from 15 yards.  With 29 minutes played Cardiff had four shots on goal and scored four.

 

Chris Brunt went close for the Baggies, swinging in a free kick just over the bar.  And there were celebrations of sorts in the 32^nd minute when Miller pulled one back for Albion after a Morrison shot had rebound off the post into his path.

 

Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 1-4 Cardiff City

 

Tony Mowbray made two changes at half time, Greening and Teixeira coming on in place of Pele and Chaplow.  Teixeira seemed to make an instant difference, and came close to goal himself, collecting a Miller lay off but firing his shot wide.

 

Cardiff still looked dangerous on the break, but the half mainly belonged to Albion, the Bluebirds safe in the knowledge that there was a lot of catching up to be done.  Chris Brunt came within inches of getting a second for Albion with a sweet 25 yard free kick, and then again moments later with his head from a Beattie cross.

 

Beattie himself should have been claiming the Baggies second, and surely would have if not for a frantic goal line scramble which saw Sinclair finally get rid of the danger for Cardiff.  Albion looked relieved but shocked moments later not to have conceded a fifth.  A mix up between Cardiff duo Looven’s and Ledley seeing the ball fall harmlessly away from the target. 

 

Mowbray made a third change, MacDonald coming on to replace Beattie, the young Dutch striker going immediately for goal.  In the 87^th minute Albion were awarded a penalty when Sinclair fouled Miller in the box.  Miller converted himself to make it two for Albion. 

 

Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 2-4 Cardiff City

 

Albion: Miller (32, 87)

 

Cardiff: Fowler (3, 27) Hasselbaink (22) Sinclair (29)

 

Attendance: 14,085