Cardiff City pulled off one of the shocks of the Carabao Cup third round, beating Premier League Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor.
First-half goals from Joel Colwill and Callum Robinson secured the Bluebirds a place in the last 16, underlining Brian Barry-Murphy’s side as a force to be reckoned with this season.
Bluebirds Take Flight
While Burnley boss Scott Parker made 11 changes from their league draw against Nottingham Forest, Cardiff kept continuity with six players retained from the side that lost to Bradford City at the weekend. That decision proved crucial, as the visitors settled quickly and dominated much of the first half.
The breakthrough arrived on the half-hour mark. Perry Ng’s delivery caused chaos, Calum Chambers kept the move alive, and his slide across goal was tucked away by Joel Colwill for his first of the season. It was a deserved lead after a spell of Cardiff pressure that had left the home crowd restless.
Five minutes later, the advantage doubled. Rubin Colwill, lively throughout, drove into space and squared for Robinson, who swept home a crisp finish to silence Turf Moor. Burnley, bottom of the Premier League table, looked disjointed and second best against their League One opponents.
Nervy Finish
The second half began in similar fashion, with Cardiff probing for a killer third goal. Chambers and Joel Colwill both went close, but an error from Nathan Trott handed Burnley a lifeline. The goalkeeper’s misplaced pass fell to Marcus Edwards, who found Zian Flemming to curl home from 20 yards.
That moment could have sparked a turnaround, yet Cardiff refused to crumble. Trott redeemed himself with two strong saves from Mike Tresor, while at the other end Rubin Colwill continued to torment Burnley’s back line. Even as the hosts threw men forward in the dying minutes, the Bluebirds stood firm, with Sonny Bradley and Will Fish marshalling the defence superbly.
The 2-1 win ensures Cardiff’s first appearance in the Carabao Cup last 16 since their run to the 2012 final, where they were beaten on penalties by Liverpool. For a side rebuilding after relegation to League One, it represents a major statement of intent and a reminder of the club’s cup pedigree.
Writer’s View
Cardiff’s performance at Turf Moor was about more than just progression in the Carabao Cup — it showed they can match teams from the top flight. The balance of youth and experience, typified by the Colwill brothers and Robinson, offered both energy and composure in key moments.
Brian Barry-Murphy has built a side that presses with intensity but also takes chances when they arrive. With momentum building, the Bluebirds will head back into their league campaign full of belief, and few will fancy facing them in the next round.
