Cardiff City came from behind to earn a late 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Wayne Rooney gave United the lead early on before Fraizer Campbell equalised for the hosts on 32 minutes.
Patrice Evra then headed the visitors back in front at the end of the first half, but substitute Kim Bo-Kyung popped up in injury time to secure Cardiff a share of the spoils.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the action unfolded in South Wales.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League encounter as Cardiff City play host to champions Manchester United. We should have some team news for you shortly.
There is one other fixture currently taking place in the Premier League today and it has not been a good afternoon for Tottenham Hotspur. They are currently losing 5-0 at Manchester City with about 20 minutes to play. We'll bring you that result as soon as the full-time whistle goes at the Etihad Stadium.
CARDIFF: Marshall; Taylor, Caulker, Turner, Theophile-Catherine; Medel, Whittingham, Mutch, Cowie, Odemwingie; Campbell
Hosts Cardiff have made two changes to their side after losing to Aston Villa two weeks ago as Jordon Mutch and Fraizer Campbell replace Craig Bellamy and Aron Gunnarsson.
MAN UTD: De Gea; Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Fellaini, Cleverley; Valencia, Rooney, Januzaj; Hernandez
Meanwhile, United have made five changes to their starting XI. However, the big news is that Robin van Persie is not even in the squad for today's match. Rio Ferdinand, Marouane Fellaini, Tom Cleverley, Adnan Januzaj and Javier Hernandez all come in.
CARDIFF SUBS: Lewis; Hudson, Cornelius, Kim, Noone, Gunnarsson, Bellamy
MAN UTD SUBS: Lindegaard, Buttner, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Young, Welbeck
There's plenty at stake for both sides in today's match. A win for Cardiff would see the them climb up to 11th place in the table, while United can muscle their way into the Champions League places if they come out on top. To be precise, David Moyes's side will go fourth if they claim the three points.
Cardiff have been in indifferent form as of late, taking four points from their last three games. However, they have got some decent results against some good teams this season, including wins over Manchester City and Swansea City. They seem to be embracing the fact that their home form is likely to be key in terms of their survival.
UPDATE: The full-time whistle has just gone at the Etihad Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur have been thrashed 6-0 by a rampant Manchester City. The Blues are now up to fourth place in the table, but they will be replaced by local rivals Manchester United if the Red Devils win today.
While Cardiff have been inconsistent, United seem to have clicked into gear in the last few weeks. David Moyes's side are on an unbeaten run of five matches in the league, with three wins coming in their last three games.
RECENT FORM:
CARDIFF: WLLDWL
MAN UTD: WWWWDW
HEAD TO HEAD: Interestingly enough, this is the first meeting between these sides since 1975. In terms of the overall record, it's United who have the edge with 13 wins to Cardiff's six. Meanwhile, there have been seven draws.
That last match 38 years ago ended with United claiming a 4-0 win at Old Trafford in the old Second Division. How times have changed...
UPDATE: If you're keen to read our match report following Manchester City's 6-0 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur, then you can find it right here. As long as you promise to come back.
Looking more closely at the Premier League table, defeat for Cardiff today would see the Bluebirds very much part of the relegation scrap that is starting to develop. Malky Mackay's side currently sit two points above the drop zone.
The same could be said of United. The visitors may be able to move into fourth place with a win, but a defeat would see them slip eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal. They're know for making the impossible possible, but that would be a big deficit to make up considering how this season is panning out.
Around 10 minutes until kickoff and the Cardiff City Stadium is filling up nicely. The hosts will need their fans right behind them today if they are to get under United's skin and cause an upset.
#CARMUN FACT: City chasing back-to-back home wins in the top flight for the 1st time since 1962, when City defeated Birmingham and then WHU.
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) November 24, 2013
PREDICTION TIME: Right, how do we see this one going? Cardiff are sure to give United a hard time this afternoon, but the in-form visitors should have enough to come away with the three points.
The players are coming out of the tunnel to a rapturous reception inside the Cardiff City Stadium. Kickoff is just moments away.
The pre-match rituals have been done and it will be Cardiff to get us underway. Here we go!
It's been a fairly scrappy start to the match as both sets of players scrap for the ball, particularly in midfield. However, it's United who have just shaded it in the opening stages. The Cardiff fans are in fine voice.
CHANCE! Nearly the opening goal for Cardiff as Cowie's cross was on its way to Campbell in the centre of the box, but De Gea did well to come off his line and collect the ball. Good goalkeeping there from the Spanish shotstopper.
SAVE! De Gea denies Cardiff again as he saves Mutch's header from Whittingham's cross. The ball is played up the other end and Rooney is shown a yellow card for appearing to kick out at Theophile-Catherine. Both men were battling for possession before the United striker tangled with his man. A booking probably seems fair, though other referees may well have sent him off for that.
Ten minutes played and Cardiff are starting to get a feel for this match now. They're closing United down well when they're out of possession and showing a bit of menace of their own in the final third.
As you can imagine, Rooney is getting a fair bit of stick from the Cardiff fans when he's on the ball. Looking back at that earlier incident, it was very silly of him to lash out so early in the game. You get the feeling that there will be plenty of talk after the match about that if the result goes against Cardiff.
GOAL! CARDIFF 0-1 MAN UTD (ROONEY)
Would you believe it? The man who arguably shouldn't be on the pitch puts United ahead. Valencia picked up possession on the right wing before crossing for Hernandez, who let the ball run through to Rooney behind him. The striker then turned in the box before seeing his shot deflect past Marshall in the Cardiff goal.
SAVE! Nearly a second goal for United as Januzaj's free kick is met by Fellaini at the back post, but the midfielder's header is pushed away by Marshall. The visitors are starting to really crank up the pressure on Cardiff.
Something of a half-chance for Cardiff as Odemwingie's cross goes inches behind the waiting Mutch before the former blazes the ball well over from about 12 yards. United may be ahead, but the hosts are not panicking at the moment. They look quite happy to stay patient and plug away at the champions.
Cardiff continue to ask questions of the visiting defence. This is probably the home side's best spell of the match so far as they look to get the ball out wide and then into the opposition area.
There's not a great deal to separate these two teams at the moment, though it's United who look that bit more threatening on the attack. No one is really dominating possession right now.
This match has been heavily-contested in midfield during the last 10 minutes or so. Both sides are struggling to create any decent opportunities, finding it difficult to break through the opposition defence.
GOAL! CARDIFF 1-1 MAN UTD (CAMPBELL)
Put that one down to the commentator's curse. Cardiff are level and it's former Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell with the goal! Whittingham found Mutch in midfield before the latter threaded a wonderful ball through to Campbell. He then ran at goal before slotting it past De Gea with calm authority. Game on!
Around 10 minutes until the half-time whistle and the Cardiff fans are singing their hearts out. This match is very much in the balance now.
CHANCE! Campbell comes close to snatching a second goal for Cardiff, but he can only fire over from close range following Caulker's knockdown from Whittingham's free kick. The hosts have their tails up at the moment.
CHANCE! Nice and direct again from Cardiff as Taylor drills a low cross into the box. However, Cowie's first-time finish sees the ball go well over the crossbar. United are struggling to gain possession and Cardiff are taking advantage.
Five minutes of normal time remaining in this first half and the visitors are looking fairly vulnerable. They need someone to put their foot on the ball, but they're just giving it away as soon as they win it.
GOAL! CARDIFF 1-2 MAN UTD (EVRA)
Talk about scoring against the run of play. United are back in front thanks to Patrice Evra! The visitors earned themselves a corner on the left side, and it was the diminutive full-back who rose highest to head in Rooney's delivery. Meanwhile, there will be one minute of added time.
HALF TIME: CARDIFF 1-2 MAN UTD
Referee Neil Swarbrick blows the half-time whistle and it's Manchester United who lead Cardiff City 2-1 at the break. Wayne Rooney's opener was cancelled out by Fraizer Campbell before Patrice Evra put the visitors back in front late on.
United may have taken the lead, but Cardiff's equaliser was nothing more than the hosts deserved as they performed with real determination and positivity. However, they will be cursing themselves with conceding such a soft goal with just minutes remaining in the half.
Of course, there was a big ol' slice of controversy right at the start of the match as Wayne Rooney kicked out at Jordon Mutch. Should it have been a red card? Replays would suggest that he's probably lucky to still be on the pitch, though he only received a booking for the incident.
What are the respective managers likely to say to their players during the break? Well, Malky Mackay will probably urge his side to keep on doing what they've been doing - pressing their opponents off the ball and playing directly when in possession. Meanwhile, David Moyes is sure to want more balls fed into Rooney so he can give Hernandez a bit more service.
Anyway, the players are out for the second half and it will be the visitors to get us back underway.
United start the second half positively with a couple of corners in quick succession, but Cardiff do well to stand firm and deal with the danger.
Cardiff have recovered well from that early pressure to assert themselves a bit more in this second half. The Bluebirds are passing the ball around with plenty of purpose, though they're still not showing any signs of panic as they look to get back in this game.
YELLOW CARD: Steven Caulker goes into the book for the hosts after a robust challenge on Januzaj. The resulting free kick is met by the head of Fellaini inside the box, but Marshall manages to tip the ball away.
OFF THE WOODWORK! So close for Cardiff! Campbell's deft chip over De Gea looked to be heading into the top corner before coming back off the crossbar. There was a matter of inches in that. Meanwhile, Peter Whittingham goes into the book for Cardiff for breaking up a United counter-attack.
United are finding it very hard to establish any sort of rhythm at the moment. The visitors are seeing plenty of the ball but they can't keep hold of it for prolonged periods. They got a lot of joy down the wings during the first - something which they most certainly haven't since the restart.
We've now had an hour played and this game could really go either way, despite United's lead. However, another goal for the away side and it could well be curtains for Cardiff. That said, the hosts are still plugging away in search of an equaliser.
Great defending there from Turner as he showed good speed and strength to muscle Hernandez off the ball with the Mexican through on goal.
SUBSTITUTION: Cardiff make the first change of the match with Peter Odemwingie coming off for Craig Noone. Odemwingie has been a busy presence up front for the hosts today, but his finishing has often been below par.
SUBSTITUTION: Here comes a swap for United now as Danny Welbeck is introduced in place of Adnan Januzaj. It's been another impressive performance for the Belgian youngster, who looks perfectly at home in the top flight of English football.
CHANCE! So very nearly an own goal from Cleverley there as he heads Whittingham's free kick inches over his own crossbar! Cardiff look to make the resulting corner count, but the United defence get rid of the danger.
SUBSTITUTION: A second change for United sees veteran Welshman Ryan Giggs come on for Javier Hernandez. It's a bit of a mixed reception for Giggs, who was born in Cardiff before moving to Manchester as a youngster.
CHANCE! Almost an instant impact from Giggs as he plays Welbeck through on goal, but Marshall is quick off his line to gather the ball. That was a wonderful pass from Giggs.
SUBSTITUTION: Another swap for Cardiff here as Kim Bo-Kyung us brought on in place of Jordon Mutch. Cardiff have just over 10 minutes to salvage something from this match. Can they do it?
Whittingham floats a free kick deep into the United penalty area before Turner and Caulker both try to reach the ball. However, it's the latter who eventually gets to it and heads over. The visitors then break up the other end, but Welbeck can only fire wide from the edge of the box.
SUBSTITUTION: A final change for Cardiff sees Andreas Cornelius come on for the injured Fraizer Campbell.
Five minutes of normal time left to play at the Cardiff City Stadium and the visitors still hold a slender 2-1 lead. The hosts are sure to throw men forward as time ticks on, leading to a nervy end to the game.
YELLOW CARD: Tom Cleverley is the latest player to go into the book following a reckless challenge on Whittingham. Not the smartest thing that the United midfielder has done today.
Not long to go now as United try to shut up shop and claim a fourth consecutive win in the Premier League. However, Cardiff will feel as if there is still hope for them to get something out of this.
Four minutes of added time...
GOAL! CARDIFF 2-2 MAN UTD (KIM)
Incredible scenes at the Caridff City Stadium as the hosts look to have earned themselves a point! Whittingham whipped a delicious free kick into the box and there was Kim Bo-Kyung to head in past De Gea.
CHANCE! What is Rooney doing? The striker was through on goal but decided to try to square for Welbeck. However, he got the pass all wrong and Cardiff clear. Plenty of late drama in the Welsh capital.
CHANCE! Another glorious opening for United as Giggs's free kick finds Smalling, but the defender can only fire wide from inside the box.
FULL TIME: CARDIFF 2-2 MAN UTD
Referee Neil Swarbrick blows the full-time whistle and it has ended 2-2 between Cardiff City and Manchester United. United looked on course for the three points before Kim Bo-Kyung's late header saw the hosts earn a share of the spoils.
Anyway, that's all from me but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from today's games right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company and we hope to see you again soon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
