Cardiff City scored three goals in ten first-half minutes to help them record a comfortable win at the New York Stadium, their second away win in a row. The Millers remain six points clear of the Championship’s trap door after another loss, their fourth in six games whilst Cardiff have eased any lingering fears of a second successive relegation by going thirteen points clear of Wigan Athletic.
The Millers started off well and should have gone in front within thirty seconds, but Danny Ward wasn’t quick enough to latch on to a Ben Pringle pass which would have put him through on goal. Despite the home sides early dominance it was was Cardiff who took the lead. Joe Ralls found an unmarked Bruno Ecuele Manga from a corner and he powered his header past Adam Colin. Rotherham capitulated after that and gifted the Blue Birds another two goals. Macheda’s sublime volley found the bottom corner after the Millers had failed to clear their lines and then just minutes later Connor MaCalney benefited from more generous defending to make it 3-0 at half time. The Millers were much improved in the second half and pulled a goal back ten minutes from time when Danny Ward placed his header brilliantly after a good ball in from Adam Hammill, but it was too little too late.
| Adam Colin: Couldn’t prevent any of the goals conceded and also had to deal with a few heavy back passes from his defenders. Made a good double save to stop the scoreline becoming embarrassing. | 6.5 |
| Jack Hunt: None of the goals were really down to him. Looked decent going forward and didn’t have a bad game at the back either. | 6.5 |
| Kirk Broadfoot: Very poor. Missed a countless number of headers where his positioning was horribly wrong. His lack of pace was exposed too. | 5.0 |
| Kari Arnason: Also very poor. Struggled to clear his lines for the third goal and doesn’t look the same player alongside Broadfoot. He was better but not by much. | 5.5 |
| Zeki Fryers: Two goals came from down the left and to be honest he was poor all night. Takes too long on the ball and it seems very easy to get passed him. | 5.0 |
| Conor Newton: Another player who had a poor game. Constantly drifted in to the centre of the park offering nothing on the right. Never took on his man and beat him either, offered nothing. | 5.0 |
| Paul Green: A lot of Rotherham’s play came from him but he had some bad moments in the middle too. A few slips and missed timed tackles made it a bad day for him. | 6.0 |
| Richard Smallwood: Becoming a regular occurrence this but once again Rotherham’s best player. Passing and tackling spot on in an otherwise forgettable day for his team. | 7.0 |
| Ben Pringle: Like Smallwood he tried to make things happen and was all over the pitch. Can’t fault his effort but not a lot really came off for him. | 6.5 |
| Matt Derbyshire: Had a goal controversially ruled out for offisde, aside from that he was well marshalled. | 6.0 |
| Danny Ward: Similar to Derbyshire. Took his goal well though. | 7.0 |
Substitutions
| Adam Hammill: He’d be the first name on my team sheet. Looked lively when he came on and created a goal. Offered everything Newton didn’t and is wasted sat on the bench. | 7.0 |
| Conor Sammon: Didn’t really offer anything when he came on. | 6.0 |
Cardiff City
| David Marshall: Didn’t have a shot to save, substituted at half time. | 6.5 |
| Lee Peltier: Solid, probably had it way too easy on his flank. | 6.5 |
| Sean Morrison: Marshalled the defence very well, a threat in both boxes. | 7.0 |
| Bruno Ecuele Manga: A side from a scary moment at the end he was outstanding. Never lost a header and a very well taken goal. | 7.5 |
| Matthew Connolly: Had it way to easy in the first half, Hammill gave him something to think about in the second. | 6.5 |
| Matthew Kennedy: Very accomplished game in the midfield, his energy and drive in midfield created various Cardiff attacks. | 7.0 |
| Aron Gunnarson: Solid and assured presence on and off the ball throughout. | 7.0 |
| Joe Ralls: Another accomplished performance, work rate was exceptional throughout. | 7.0 |
| Federico Macheda: Very well taken goal and a nuisance for the Rotherham defence throughout. | 7.5 |
| Alex Revell: Did what everyone expected him to do on his return to the NYS. Won plenty of header, worked hard and put himself about. | 6.5 |
| Conor McAlney: Well taken goal and a constant threat throughout the game. | 7.0 |
Substitutions
| Simon Moore: Pulled off a good save from Hammill but was lucky when he fumbled the ball into the path of Green only for the referee to blow up for a foul. | 6.5 |
| Eoin Doyle: Was kept largely quiet in the second half with the game already over. | 6.0 |
| Kenwyne Jones: Didn’t really have much time to make an impact. | N/A |
Man of the Match
| Bruno Ecuele Manga: Aside from a hairy moment at the death he was solid throughout the game. A powerful header to open the scoring capped off a fine performance in both penalty areas for the defender. | 7.5 |
