Brentford 2-2 Cardiff: Sullay Kaikai brace rescues point for Bees

Brentford salvaged a stoppage-time point from an action-packed and controversial 2-2 draw with Cardiff which exploded into life in the final seven minutes.

On-loan Crystal Palace striker Sullay Kaikai struck twice late on to cancel out Peter Whittingham's first-half penalty and an 89th-minute Kenneth Zohore goal that looked like being the winner.

Brentford came roaring back to break Neil Warnock's heart when defender John Egan charged down the right and crossed for Kaikai to deftly head the ball in at the far post in the 91st minute to secure a point.

It was no more than the Bees deserved for a rejuvenated second-half display which saw the home crowd fuming at a string of penalty appeals waved away by the official in the middle.

Scott Hogan was twice bundled over in the box by Cardiff defender Sean Morrison, the second a clear shove in the back as both men challenged for the ball.

Bees defender Harlee Dean picked up a booking for dissent after a third penalty appeal, when a Brentford shot was palmed clear by a defender's hand.

Lacklustre Brentford had little response to Warnock's revitalised Bluebirds in a subdued first half and might have gone further behind before the break.

Morrison had a goal ruled out for offside minutes later and Zohore should have stretched Cardiff's lead when he burst clear of the defence only to be thwarted by a full-stretch Daniel Bentley save.

The hosts started the game brightly enough, leading scorer Hogan crossing for Lasse Vibe whose first-time effort at the near post was deflected wide by keeper Brian Murphy.

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Romaine Sawyers stung the City keeper's hands with a sizzling low drive before Hogan forced him to tip over from a right-wing cross seconds later.

Andreas Bjelland saw a rising drive flash over the far corner on 15 minutes, but when Cardiff took the lead it knocked the stuffing out of the Londoners.

The hosts looked devoid of ideas and lacked any invention against a physical and motivated City side built very much in Warnock's image.

Brentford looked far livelier after the break and only two full stretch saves from Murphy to deny first Ryan Woods and then Egan kept them in it.

Brentford boss Dean Smith:

"We started brightly but then they got the penalty and we lost a bit of confidence. We started to go a little bit more direct but we had a talk at half-time and came out a lot stronger.

"I have a lot of faith in (Kaikai). He's a really modest, decent young lad and he produces goals like that in training all the time so when you see someone like that come on and do well they thoroughly deserve it."

Cardiff boss Neil Warnock: 

"It seems like a loss but I am very pleased with a few of the lads and very disappointed with one or two others. We can be a decent team but a team has to be 11 lads on the same wavelength or opponents at this level will find you out.

"One or two out there didn't have the desire when we needed it most and need to look at themselves."

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