Out of the drop zone and on a roll

Both teams have had a difficult season, spending more time than they would like sitting in the relegation places, meaning this game was all the more important as all three points for either side would have taken the winners out of the drop zone.

The teams were equal to each other until Sunderland’s Connor Wickham managed to get on the end of a corner to give his side the lead.

In the 45th minute a mistake by defender Juan Cala saw him sent off and the Black Cats awarded a penalty, which Fabio Borini duly put away.

Two goals down and with only 10 men on the pitch Cardiff had too much to do in order to get back into the match.

Another two goals by Gus Poyet’s men only served to confirm that the Bluebirds have run out of ideas to keep themselves up, while the 4-0 victory means Sunderland finally climb out of the relegation zone for the first time in months.