Bleary-Eyed Statto

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Alright, I'll admit it. I've gone a bit over the top with my title for this entry. Saying that Cardiff City is top the table after only one game may be a little much. The thing is, though, that it's true, thanks to a rousing 4-0 win over Scunthorpe United at Cardiff City Stadium. Two goals from Michael Chopra and one from Jay Bothroyd had City up 3-0 at the break and a Peter Whittingham penalty in the 90th minute of play secured the most impressive four-goal margin of victory.

Not only did City kick off the new season with three points and a big +4 in the goal-difference column, but they did it on a very special occasion indeed, their very first game at brand new Cardiff City Stadium. Making things even more delightful was the collection of results from around the division. Only two of the other 10 games so far have produced winners, with only City, Derby County and Leicester City picking up three points apiece. Derby and Leicester won by only a goal each so City have just about as big a lead as you're likely to see after one game. You want to say, "They'll never catch us," though it might be best to wait a few weeks before getting too delirious!

There's good reason to be excited about today's big win, of course. The 4-0 scoreline matches City's best-ever opening-day result and this was the 83rd lidlifter in Bluebird history. The only other time City won an opener by such a margin came back on August 18, 1951, when the club pasted Leicester City 4-0 at Ninian Park. City would go on to win promotion to the First Division that season, their first back in the top flight in 23 years.

In his match report at his Bluesy's Blues blog, Nigel Harris summed up the day as a "superb afternoon, brilliant entertainment and what a start to the season." He added, " A great start in which every man played very well although Whittingham wasn’t that influential, Hudson could be a concern against better attacking sides. On the plus side, Quinn had an excellent match but the plaudits today should go to our attacking talent who put Scunnie to the sword."

Paul Davies, in his report at Urban75.com, rhapsodised wonderfully as follows: "Exceeding the wildest hopes of even the most driven and deluded optimists, Cardiff City officially unveiled their new stadium and kick-started a new era with a perfect display of at times dazzling football which tore the game but hapless Irons to shreds in a torrid 30 minute maelstrom." As usual, Mr. Davies's report comes complete with a fine set of pictures from the ground and environs (like that sad shot of Ninian Park, which by the looks of it must have suffered a very rough summer indeed).

The Wales Online report, penned by Simon Kendal-Williams, offers this: "Four goals, some delightful football, a bumper crowd – heck, even the weather was perfect. City’s new home could not have wished for a more emphatic baptism." This report includes a sharp set of a dozen shots of the occasion. Check it out.

Speaking of pictures, City fans have posted some awesome sets of photos from the glorious day. Try here here and here.

A few more sets of stats before signing off. Ready? Here goes:

* This is the first time City have netted four in an opener in 24 years. The Bluebirds beat Notts County 4-1 at Meadow Lane to kick off the 1985/86 season. It's only the fifth time City have scored as many as four goals in an opener. The previous four occasions include a 5-2 win at Stockport County to open the 1920/21 season, the aforementioned 1951/52 lidlifter, a 4-4 home draw with Newcastle to begin the 1962/63 campaign, and that 1985/86 win at Meadow Lane.

* In scoring twice in an opener, Michael Chopra becomes the 12th Cardiff City player to net two in a season opener. No City player has had an opening-day hat trick, though Chopra came oh so close to becoming the first today. Jimmy Gill is the only Bluebird to net two twice, in 1920 and 1923. Others to turn the trick include Hughie Ferguson (1926), Ralph Williams (1930), Alex Hutchinson (1933), Wilf Grant (1951), Johnny McSeveney (1955), Barry Hole (1962), Brian Clark (1971), Derek Showers (1976), and Tony Bird (1995).

* Here's one more vaguely interesting stat. Today's win gives City 23 opening day wins to go with 30 draws and 30 defeats. For the decade, they close accounts with a record of 6-2-2 (wins in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2008 and 2009). This means that City have collected 26% of their opening-day wins in this decade!

Predictions for the New Campaign