West Brom 1-1 Cardiff: Robinson cancels out Collins' opener in draw
West Brom 1-1 Cardiff: Callum Robinson cancels out James Collins’ opener to earn a share of the spoils for 10-man Baggies after Alex Mowatt’s straight red
- With 10-men West Brom managed to hold out for a 1-1 draw with Cardiff
- James Collins opened the scoring for the visitors after 34 minutes played
- Striker Callum Robinson pulled the Baggies level minutes into the second half
- Alex Mowatt was shown as red card in the closing stages of the match
Here, the final whistle only served to usher in another wave of chaos. Two red cards, one manager on the pitch and no few handbags – all after time.
All as this pulsating draw descended into chaos after 90 frantic minutes. The beginning of the end had come when Conor Townsend tumbled under a challenge from Marlon Pack and West Brom demanded a last-gasp penalty.
Valerien Ismael led their protests only for referee Thomas Bramall to say no – and then blow up. The West Brom boss stormed on to the pitch and had to be held back from confronting the referee.
Soon all hell broke loose. Aden Flint and Sam Johnstone were at the centre of scrapping between staff and players. Both saw red.
With a deft finish Callum Robinson lobbed the goalkeeper to pull West Brom level in the tie
The striker peels away in celebration after giving the Baggies a lifeline in the match
It took several minutes for the pitch to clear, leaving the few remaining Cardiff fans to toast a point rather manically earned.
Madness had threatened to reign long before. The game’s first goal came after half an hour. The first sending off came 14 minutes from time.
At the end of it all, a share of spoils that proves how the Cardiff ship has steadied and why West Brom’s promotion push has stalled.
It could have been worse for Ismael’s side had Cardiff held on to their lead – afforded them by James Collins’ header. Or had Callum Robinson been flagged offside before netting the Baggies equaliser. Or had the visitors capitalised on Alex Mowatt’s late red card for a horrible challenge on Will Vaulks.
By then, though Steve Morison’s side were probably grateful for a crucial point that edges them slightly further from danger – particularly given how their charitable backline had clung on during the second period.
Alex Mowatt was shown a red card in the later stages of the match but West Brom held firm
A far cry from when the first chants of ‘Ole’ went up as the visiting pocket of Bluebirds began to enjoy themselves. ‘Cardiff City, we’re taking the p***,’ the visiting support cried only 15 minutes in.
A fair assessment of the early running? Hardly. But Morison’s side were at least stroking the ball around with confidence and this bunch haven’t had much to enjoy recently.
So you can forgive the gallows humour. You can certainly understand why bedlam ensued when the visitors actually put a dent in West Brom.
For all of Cardiff’s early rhythm – and their success at stifling the home side – the visitors carried little threat until, on the half hour, Joe Ralls poked the ball into the side netting.
There were some premature celebrations from those hard of sight in the away end. But they didn’t have long to wait – from the resulting corner, Collins headed home and, in a flurry of limbs, some fans slid down the sheets separating supporters.
Elsewhere at The Hawthorns, frustrations soon boiled over. Ismael’s side were booed off after 45 minutes in which they lacked fluidity – even while creating the clearest openings.
Earlier, James Collins was mobbed by team-mates after putting Cardiff ahead in the first half
Karlan Grant fired across goal before Robinson’s curling shot forced Alex Smithies into a terrific save. The Baggies had more half chances shortly before falling behind. Alas both fell to defenders. And both fluffed their lines – Kyle Bartley headed over before Matt Clarke missed his kick from 10 yards out.
Fortunately for West Brom, their first opportunity of the second half fell to more obliging feet and Robinson netted his fifth of the season with a neat clipped finish.
The home side were lucky, too, that no flag arrived despite replays suggesting the striker had strayed offside.
From there, West Brom began to bang down the visitors’ door. Bartley and Grant both went close before substitute grady Diangana was denied twice – first by Smithies and then from the rebound by Aden Flint.
But the visitors looked to have weathered the storm even before Mowatt saw red. Alas, that proved only the appetiser to the real madness to come.
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