Cardiff 2-1 Brighton: Sol Bamba hands hosts valuable three points against 10 men

Sol Bamba's dramatic 90th-minute strike gave Cardiff a vital 2-1 win over 10-man Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

After Bamba himself and Calum Paterson had both hit the woodwork in a goalmouth scramble, the defender slammed the second rebound into the roof of the net to hand Cardiff a valuable three points.

Lewis Dunk's header had earlier put Brighton ahead (6), Paterson replied for Cardiff with another close-range header (28), before Brighton were reduced to 10 men as Dale Stephens saw red for a rash challenge on Greg Cunningham (33).

The hosts had more of the possession but could not break Brighton down until the last-minute melee, and the win means Cardiff move out of the Premier League relegation zone.

Brighton took an early lead through Dunk's header, turning home at the far post from close range after losing Cardiff defender Sol Bamba from Solly March's dangerous free-kick.

But the hosts were level with a header of their own through Paterson, nodding into the net from three yards after Kadeem Harris, making his first Premier League start, caused issues for Brighton down the right flank as his deflected cross looped into the striker's path.

And Brighton's task was made harder after Martin Atkinson dismissed Stephens, who had raised his studs in a challenge with Cunningham on the halfway line.

Harris impressed throughout, and hit the bar with a 25-yard left-footed curler in the second half, and though Cardiff pressured throughout the second period, the next best chance fell to Brighton.

Cutting inside from the left, Jose Izquierdo's fierce effort moved in the air and forced Neil Etheridge to awkwardly tip over the bar.

Then came the melee which won it for Cardiff. First, Bamba's overhead kick bounced off the post, then Paterson's rebounded strike was superbly deflected onto the bar by Dunk, only for Bamba to react and turn into the net from six yards through the crowd.

Opta stats

• This is the second time a Neil Warnock side have won in the 90th minute of a Premier League game and the first time since September 2006 (Phil Jagielka for Sheff Utd vs Middlesbrough).
• Brighton have won just one of their last 20 Premier League matches away from home (D5 L14), with that victory coming against Newcastle last month.
• Cardiff have conceded the first goal of the game on more occasions than any other team in the Premier League this season (9).
• 11 of Lewis Dunk's 13 league goals for Brighton have been headers.

The managers

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Neil Warnock: "It's a massive result. We had to compete and we can compete. We kept plugging away and had a feeling it would turn today. You cannot fault anybody's effort today. That's why the fans, who were unbelievable, are still with us. We've earned the win today, we've worked really hard and I'm delighted for everybody."

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Chris Hughton: "We're frustrated and angry because when you're down to 10 men for such a long period of time, you certainly warrant getting something out of the game. We've seen it on numerous occasions and Bamba is in an offside position. That's the frustration and anger. For me it's a comfortable and easy decision to make."

Man of the match - Kadeem Harris

On his first Premier League start, 25-year-old Harris gave Cardiff added bite on the attack, helping create the first goal and nearly scoring a stunner of a second after the break.

Harris also made a team-high three key passes, and challenged Brighton's backline with five crosses, more than the entire Brighton side.

What's next?

Cardiff now go to Everton after the international break on Saturday, November 24 at 3pm, while Brighton host Leicester on the same day in the Premier League.

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