This campaign he's scored 20 already. Well over half way to the record breaking 35 he scored last season.
The penalty was fair reward for a superb display from Cardiff City in a fantastically entertaining game. West Brom were under the cosh for long periods but defended well, and counter attacked at pace. Julian Gray was excellent on the left wing and I urge Lennie to make sure he stays a Bluebird.
Richard Langely went close in the second minute his shot on goal bouncing off the floor and nearly creeping under Hoult's cross bar. Robinson had a shot wide and City were playing some dazzling football. James Connor (the former Stoke player) went closest for WBA when his shot skidded wide.
If there was a concern it was that Earnie was not getting into the game at all. He was well snuffed out by the Baggies defence.
The second half started and Richard Langley appeared to be felled outside his own box, the players looked to the referee who waved play on and Jason Koumas fired in a shot that deflected past Neil Alexander.
Cardiff had no other option than to attack and they did with wave upon wave of great passing football. It didn't come off every time and maybe there was not enough direct efforts on goal but it was a level of football that we are being spoilt with.
It was unsung workshorse Mark Bonner who earned City a penalty. He was felled in the box by Burnt Ass (I think his name is) and Earnie of course put the ball into the roof of the net. Mayhem amongst the 17,600 crowd.
Cardiff pushed on and after a Riched Langley free kick that sailed over and a Julian Gray kick that went a foot wide Langely had another chance. He flighted a superb kick that hit the underside of the bar and bounced out.
City were putting pressure on Hoult and the keeper had to be alert to make a couple of punches and to save from an Earnie shot.
At this stage Peter Thorne had replaced Gavin Gordon and Earnie had sparked into life. With Thorne in the team we looked a much better outfit.
There was always the threat though of WBA counter attacking. The Baggies won two free kicks in quick succession. Koumas nearly found the bottom right hand corner with the first one. Alexander made a super save to keep the ball out and then with a minute to go another free kick was awarded. Koumas again stepped up and his shot was deflected twice before Alexander acrobatically turn the ball over the bar. It was a truly amazing save and saved City from defeat.
There was a standing ovation at the end after a really entertaining football match.
Cardiff move up into 6th place and are still just 6 points off the top and with other results being favourable the top of the table looks like this
| Team | P | Home | Away | Pts | Goal Diff | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | ||||
| West Brom | 19 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 11 | 37 | 11 |
| Norwich | 20 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 11 | 36 | 9 |
| Wigan | 19 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 16 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 10 | 34 | 12 |
| Sheff Utd | 19 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 14 | 34 | 8 |
| Sunderland | 19 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 32 | 7 |
| Cardiff | 19 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 19 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 13 | 31 | 14 |
| Ipswich | 19 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 16 | 31 | 9 |
| Reading | 20 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 31 | 3 |
| West Ham | 19 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 30 | 7 |
| Preston | 19 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 28 | 5 |
Hands up, who expected us to be here at this stage of the season?
West Brom were (and still are the Division 1 leaders). They were in the Premiership last season and tonight we gave them a right good game and make no mistake we are contenders. We face another massive game on Saturday when Ipswich come to Town.
8 games unbeaten now since the 2 - 1 reverse against Palace and in that time we have taken points from Sunderland, West Ham and West Brom as well as the draw at Burnley. The other four games were wins over Coventry, Stoke, Wimbledon and Watford.