By Sam Hill
Cardiff City calmed fears of an automatic promotion collapse with a statement 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the Welsh capital.
A quick-fire double early in the second half from Omari Kellyman and Chris Willock ensured Cardiff’s first home victory in four games.
After starting the day with just two wins in their last eight games, suggestions of a wobble were evident.
They have now arrested those fears and pulled 10 points clear of the chasing pack, looking set fair for a return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
In the opening half, Cardiff were truly dominant with 60% possession and 13 shots on goal to Bolton’s zero.
It was a first 45-minutes so one-sided, that Bolton fans ironically cheered when their team sent in their first cross of the game on the stroke of half-time.
Yet the pattern was one the Bluebirds were all too familiar with in recent weeks. A lion’s share of possession, plenty of shots, but little to show for it.
It represented a seventh consecutive half of football at the Cardiff City Stadium without a goal for Brian Barry-Murphy’ side.
A real lack of cutting-edge continued with natural striker options in the returning Yousef Salech, and more surprisingly Callum Robinson left out once again in favour of Chelsea loanee Kellyman as a false-nine.
Despite the frustration, the raucous Cardiff home crowd serenaded Barry-Murphy throughout the first half, admiring the intensity and dominance their side held throughout.
While there were some long-range efforts among those 13 in the opening half, arguably, Alex Robertson had the biggest opportunity to give the hosts the lead.
The Australian international struck the bar from inside the six-yard box after a dangerous low delivery from Perry Ng following strong build-up down the right-hand side with Ollie Tanner.
Just five minutes into the second half, after further positivity, Cardiff found their breakthrough.
Kellyman netted his eighth league goal of the campaign with a towering header from a Joel Bagan corner.
Considering Cardiff have the second-lowest number of goals from set pieces in the division, this was perhaps a surprise route to goal, but it was a much-needed opener.
Less than two minutes later the Bluebirds had doubled their advantage.
A sweeping counter-attack led by Robertson saw him progress a long way before finding Willock, who cut inside his man and found the bottom corner.
An hour into the game and Bolton manager Steven Schumacher had seen enough and went to his substitutes bench with his side still to register a single shot compared to Cardiff’s 17, with no signs of improvment.
He opted for a triple attacking change as Rob Apter, Amario Cozier-Duberry and Ruben Rodrigues replaced Thierry Gale, Cyrus Christie and Kyle Dempsey.
Sixty-three minutes into proceedings, and Bolton at last, registered their first shot on goal through substitute Rodrigues as the away fans let out another ironic cheer.
As the game began to settle into a more relaxed pattern, the hosts introduced a triple substitution.
Calum Scanlon, David Turnbull and Joel Colwill replaced goalscorer Willock, Robertson, and captain Rubin Colwill.
Soon after, Bolton made a fourth replacement as 18-year-old midfielder Tobias Ritchie earnt his league debut for the Wanderers coming on in place of Mason Burstow.
Yousef Salech replaced first goalscorer Kellyman late on, the 6ft5 striker making his return to the Cardiff City Stadium for the first time in two months, following a brutal injury sustained against Stockport.
The most popular substitution of the day as the Cardiff faithful repeatedly sang the Dane’s name following his introduction to the pitch.
Overall, this result not only strengthens Cardiff’s grip on second place but also sends a clear message to rivals that they are still in charge of their own density.
The Bluebirds now 10 points clear of the chasing pack and could confirm their place back in the second tier as early as Tuesday, should they defeat Huddersfield at the Accu Stadium.
Meanwhile, Bolton’s hopes of automatic promotion may be all but over as they fall further behind Cardiff, a play-off finish now looking increasingly likely for them.