Neil Warnock salutes Cardiff response in 'great' Brighton win

Cardiff beat 10-man Brighton 2-1 to secure second Premier League win of the season

Saturday 10 November 2018 18:20, UK

Neil Warnock believes Cardiff side were due some luck after Sol Bamba's late winner was allowed to stand in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Brighton.

Centre-back Bamba lashed the ball home in the final minute to break 10-man Brighton's resolve and secure the Bluebirds' second win of the season.

"We haven't had much fortune this year," Warnock told Sky Sports. "We've hit the bar and post that many times.

"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, it was there from everyone. That's why the fans are still with us. The fans have been unbelievable, they kept us going.

"We've earned the win today, we've worked really hard and I'm delighted for everybody."

Lewis Dunk capitalised on some lax defending by the eventual match-winner Bamba to head Brighton in front inside six minutes in south Wales.

Cardiff responded through Callum Paterson's 28th-minute equaliser before Dale Stephens' red card for a lunge on Greg Cunningham swung the game in the Bluebirds' favour.

"It didn't look like we could break them down - they have shown why they are where they are, they are resolute and the backline is very solid," Warnock added.

"[The win] was great after the disappointment of going down. We knew it was going to be difficult with the two centre halves.

"Sol [Bamba] sleeps for the goal but fortunately the lads made up for that and Sol came in for the winner so it's a great result for us."

Asked for his thoughts on Stephens' dismissal, Warnock said: "Stephens is a whole-hearted player but the tackle was very dangerous if I'm honest. I can see why he gave the red."