Republic of Ireland forward Callum Robinson has five goals in six games for Cardiff
Cardiff City overcame Leyton Orient in an utterly captivating, seven-goal League One thriller to bounce back from successive home defeats in spectacular fashion.
Callum Robinson gave Cardiff a first-half lead against the run of play as he latched on to Chris Willock's fine pass, but Richie Wellens' impressive visitors equalised when Gabriel Osho's woefully underhit back-pass gifted Aaron Connolly the time and space to finish.
Dylan Lawlor restored the Bluebirds' advantage as he strode forward from the halfway line and fired in from 20 yards for his first senior goal, only for Idris El Mizouni to hit back immediately with a shot that took two deflections on its way in.
Dom Ballard then curled a beautiful left-footed strike into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area to put Orient ahead for the first time – but deservedly so – after an hour.
That was not the end of the drama, though. Far from it.
Cardiff equalised when Yousef Salech headed in from Rubin Colwill's cross and, less than two minutes later, they were back in front as a sweeping, coast-to-coast counter-attack was finished off by Robinson.
That goal sparked wild celebrations at Cardiff City Stadium, yet still there was more to come as another Osho error played in Connolly, who was thwarted by one of Nathan Trott's many brilliant saves on the day.
Victory moves Cardiff up to third in League One, two points behind leaders Stevenage, while Orient remain 17th.
Analysis: Wellens and Orient live up to Barry-Murphy's praise
Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy had described his Orient counterpart Wellens as this division's best manager in the build-up to this game.
It was not only that Wellens had guided the club to promotion from League Two in 2023 and then the League One play-off final last season, but that he had done it with a distinctive and "adaptable" style of play, Barry-Murphy said.
Orient were quick to impose themselves on this game, forcing their opponents into numerous mistakes and creating a host of early chances.
It says much about the away side's performance that Cardiff goalkeeper Trott was a leading candidate to be named man of the match.
He made a string of outstanding saves to deny the likes of Connolly and Ballard, and it is no exaggeration to suggest Orient could have been out of sight were the FC Copenhagen loanee not in such inspired form in the Cardiff goal.
Osho's mistakes were indicative of a sloppy defensive display from the hosts, who had slumped to defeats against Bradford City and Burton Albion in their two previous home games.
But under Barry-Murphy, this young Cardiff side are full of enterprise, none more so when they are on the attack.
There is no doubt they will have to tighten up and eradicate those lapses in concentration if they are to accomplish their mission of making an instant return to the Championship.
But if the Bluebirds continue to play with the ambition and spirit they demonstrated here, their bid for promotion will certainly make for an entertaining ride.
Barry-Murphy: It was a very ‘stressful’ game
Wellens: 'We were the better team.'
