Cardiff City's Carabao Cup campaign ended with a 2-1 defeat to Norwich City at Cardiff City Stadium. Yousef Salech's late strike gave the Bluebirds hope after goals from Mathias Kvistgaarden and Ante Crnac, but Norwich held on.
Midfielders Impress in Defeat
The midfielders were among Cardiff's better performers, while 15-year-old Noah Anyadike made his historic senior debut before being forced off injured.
Nathan Trott earned a 7 rating after making an excellent save to deny Liam Gibbs in the first half and was generally assured, although he could do little about either Norwich goal. Perry Ng was rated 6 for a steady enough showing that helped Cardiff build some promising attacks, although Norwich were able to find space in dangerous areas.
Debut Cut Short by Injury
Noah Anyadike received a 6 for a composed start on his historic senior debut, including an early interception, but had a few shaky moments, too, which was to be expected. His night was cut short by injury after 53 minutes. Joel Bagan also scored 6 after making several useful defensive interventions and was important in stopping Musaba early on, but was beaten in the build-up to Norwich's second goal.
Ronan Kpakio had a difficult evening with a 5 rating against the pace and direct running of Musaba, who repeatedly looked to exploit Cardiff down that side.
Standout Performances in the Middle
Alex Robertson earned a 7 for a strong all-round display, contributing in midfield before moving into centre-back after Anyadike's injury, and produced an important defensive intervention to stop Gibbs. David Turnbull was named star man with a 7, going close with a fine effort in the first half and forcing Grimshaw into a save after the break, showing composure nicely in the middle.
Joel Colwill also scored 7, working hard and helping Cardiff's best attacking moves, including a promising second-half run beyond the Norwich defence, and won countless free-kicks.
Forwards Struggle to Make an Impact
Isaak Davies was rated 5 after struggling to make a major impact up front and was unable to convert Cardiff's promising moments into a clear-cut opportunity before being replaced. Callum Robinson also received a 5, having a bright enough early moment with a dangerous cross but fading as the game progressed, with his low effort comfortably gathered by Grimshaw. Chris Willock scored 5 after having a chance at the back post early on but could not control Ng's cross, and struggled to make a telling contribution thereafter.
Substitutes Provide Late Hope
Rubin Colwill, on for Anyadike in the 53rd minute, was rated 7 after providing more attacking impetus and being involved in a late flashpoint with Norwich's Pelle Mattsson. Cian Ashford, who replaced Robinson in the 68th minute, earned a 6 for looking lively and getting into good positions down the right, but his final delivery let him down on a couple of occasions.
Jack Moylan, on for Turnbull in the 68th minute, also scored 6 after injecting some energy into Cardiff's attack with a positive run into the box and a shot that was blocked, and went down in the box late on but no penalty was given. Yousef Salech, who came on for Davies in the 68th minute, was rated 7 after making the most of his late opportunity, holding off Harry Darling before firing a superb left-footed finish beyond Grimshaw from 18 yards to give Cardiff hope. Robert Tankiewicz, on for Willock in the 90th minute, was not rated.
