Watford 0-1 Cardiff City: Bowler goal earns Bluebirds win at Watford

Josh Bowler's goal was his third of the season

An excellent goal by Josh Bowler helped Cardiff City end their winless run as the Bluebirds dented Watford's play-off hopes with a 1-0 win at Vicarage Road.

Bowler's superb strike at the end of the first half put Cardiff ahead as he beat two defenders and curled home.

Cardiff suffered some nervy moments in the second half but Watford's best effort saw Ismael Kone hit the post.

The Bluebirds rise to 13th in the Championship, a point and two places behind Watford, who slip to 11th.

After a tough spell, this win will mean a lot to Cardiff and their manager Erol Bulut, who has continually pushed for the Bluebirds to be active in the transfer window.

The Bluebirds entered this contest in rotten form, having lost their last three games, conceding 10 goals in the process.

Cardiff were active in the final days of the transfer window and named four new signings among their substitutes on a bench also featuring Wales captain Aaron Ramsey on his return from a three month injury lay-off.

Watford boss Valerien Ismael made just one change to the side that drew at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek as the Hornets bid to put a run together than can see them make up ground on the play-off spots.

Unbeaten in their last five league games - albeit with four draws and one win - Watford were looking to continue their good form at home against a Cardiff side lacking in confidence.

However, was the Bluebirds who had the better of a first half of few chances, with Bowler firing wide and Rubin Colwill shooting just over the crossbar as the hosts struggled for inspiration.

Watford's best opportunity in the first half fell to Yaser Asprilla, but he delayed from close-range when he should have shot first-time and allowed Cardiff goalkeeper Jak Alnwick to clear the ball.

Alnwick also got down well to save from Ryan Andrews' shot after Matheus Martins' pinpoint pass found him in space, but the hosts never really seemed to click into gear.

They were punished just before the break as Bowler's fantastic strike flew past Watford goalkeeper Ben Hamer after he cut inside and beat two defenders before bending a shot into the top corner of the net.

The hosts had scored in each of their last 13 home games in all competitions, but they struggled to find a rhythm as Cardiff applied the heavier pressure in the early stages the interval with Perry Ng's freekick curling just wide and Emmanouil Siopis scuffing an effort that was easy for Hamer to save.

Watford came close on 57 minutes, but Kone's deflected effort hit the outside of the post after Jamal Lewis' cross found him in space, while at the other end Dimitrios Goutas headed over from Ryan Wintle's freekick.

Cardiff did a good job of restricting chances for the hosts but Watford continued to press for an equaliser and Wesley Hoedt's shot deflected just wide as they pinned Cardiff back.

It seemed inevitable a big chance would come for the Hornets as Cardiff nerves grew as the clock ticked towards full-time and it duly did as a defensive mix-up presented Emmanuel Dennis with a massive chance, but he blazed over the crossbar as the Bluebirds held on.

Watford boss Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Three Counties:

"It was a game we should win especially if we want to stay in the [promotion] race.

"It is frustrating, we are disappointed with the result and the performance in the first half.

"We started the game without a spark, it was more about safety. It was tough to watch.

"We don't want to use the schedule as an excuse, but it is clear that could be one of the reasons (Watford lost)… we needed more energy. You feel it is a game we should win."

Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut told BBC Radio Wales Sport:

"In the first 20 minutes of the second half we should make the second one (goal) to finish the game, but we couldn't manage it and then in the last 10 minutes there is pressure, which is normal.

"The new players have only had two days training with the team and in the weeks coming they can help us more.

"This few days we had off gave us all individually some good time at home to think about what we have to do to play better and get wins.

"So it was good for the team that they could come back fresh, we showed good team spirit and worked really hard, especially in the second half."