Cian Ashford scored the decisive goal as Cardiff City pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, eliminating the Blades from the FA Cup in the third round.
Ashford, making just his eighth senior start, delivered a composed finish in the first half to secure a memorable win for the struggling Sky Bet Championship side, who are currently battling relegation. The match was played in front of a modest crowd of 6,126, with Cardiff defying expectations to advance.
Sheffield United, missing key players due to injuries, came close to equalizing late on when Harrison Burrows hit the post, but the hosts couldn’t find a breakthrough. Manager Chris Wilder, who had described his depleted squad as “running on empty” during the busy festive period, made seven changes to the team that defeated Watford 2-1 on Saturday. The starting XI included debutants Billy Blacker and Jamal Baptiste, while three teenagers were named on the bench.
Cardiff manager Omer Riza also opted for significant rotation, making seven changes and relying heavily on academy players to fill out the squad. Despite their precarious league position, the Welsh side showed grit and resilience to claim a rare and morale-boosting victory in the cup.
