Cardiff City 1 West Bromwich Albion 1
West Bromwich Albion maintained their impressive start to the season but they had to work harder for a point here at Ninian Park last night than they did to secure a victory against Hull City in the previous match.
Albion, looking ominous in all black, began and ended the match well but there was a long period in between when they were forced to defend with fortitude.
Zoltan Gera gave Albion the lead in the third minute but Riccardo Scimeca, the former Albion defender, equalised for Cardiff just after the half-hour mark and the visitors were forced back for much of the time.
The performances of Chris Perry, Steve Watson and Pascal Zuberbuhler did much to ensure this point. Inevitably, Bryan Robson named the same team that started the match at home to Hull.
There was, however, a change on the substitutes' bench, where Russell Hoult replaced Tomasz Kuszczak, who seems set for a move to Manchester United.
There was an Albion feel about the Cardiff team. In addition to their captain, Riccardo Scimeca, Kevin Campbell also played for Albion under Robson. Campbell occupied a place on the substitutes' bench.
There was no place in the team for Darren Purse, another former Albion player, who was suffering with a calf strain. In neither starting line-up was Jason Koumas. The Wales international midfield player is refusing to train with Albion, who have suspended his wages, but he seems certain to join Cardiff once the South Wales club agree to a £2 million deal. The transfer could be completed as early as tomorrow.
He will not be missed. Albion boast a midfield that merges strength with style. It was one of those midfield players, Gera, who opened the scoring with a close-range header in the third minute after Glenn Loovens, the Cardiff defender, headed the ball against his own crossbar.
Gera's next effort was more spectacular but less effective. Midway through the first half, with his back to goal, he attempted a bicycle kick that won him marks for artistic impression but little else.
Albion were impressive going forward and Nathan Ellington came close to scoring in the 29th minute but his fierce volley from just inside the penalty area was tipped over the crossbar by Neil Alexander.
Cardiff enjoyed their fair share of possession, although it was a surprise when they equalised through Scimeca in the 32nd minute. The Cardiff midfield player climbed highest at the far post to head past Pascal Zuberbuhler.
Cardiff were now creating chances. Michael Chopra curled the ball just over the crossbar from 20 yards in the 39th minute and Zuberbuhler produced a fine save from Kerrea Gilbert, whose shot seemed destined for the top corner of the goal.
With Nathan Ellington leaving the field because of an ankle injury, and Cardiff in control, Albion seemed to relish the sound of the half-time whistle. But the break did not diminish Cardiff's momentum. They dominated the early stages of the second half, with Joe Ledley particularly impressive, but Chris Perry was inspirational at right back for Albion. Twice the former Tottenham Hot-spur defender made key tackles to frustrate Cardiff.
Most of the action was at the Albion end of the pitch, where Zuberbuhler was learning about the unique intensity of Coca-Cola Championship football. The Cardiff supporters spent much of the match insulting John Hartson, a former Wales international striker, but there was unity inside Ninian Park when both sets of fans welcomed the arrival of Campbell in the 74th minute.
Zuberbuhler still keep Cardiff at bay, while Alexander saved long-range shots by Gera and Nigel Quashie.
