Newcastle United's Javier Manquillo (left) and Cardiff City's Josh Murphy battle for possession. (Photo by Simon Galloway/PA Images via Getty Images)

Bluebirds Goalie Neil Underlines Number One Status

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Neil Etheridge, the first Filipino to play Premier League football, kept his first clean sheet – and capped an outstanding personal display with an injury time penalty save

He is the first ‘keeper to save penalties in his first two Premier appearances.

The result was 0-0, but Cardiff City should have beaten 10-man Newcastle United and deserved to beat the lacklustre Geordies over the 90 minutes.

The visitors had substitute Isaac Hayden sent off for a disgraceful studs-up challenge from behind on Josh Murphy, while Brazilian Kenedy was lucky not to see red after he kicked Cardiff’s Victor Camarasa.

He could still face a three-game ban if Premier League officials take a retrospective look at the incident, but that won’t help Cardiff.

“The lads didn’t deserved to lose with a penalty like that,” said City manager Neil Warnock.

“Kenedy was a lucky lad [when he kicked out]. 

“There is stuff to work on for us – we were disappointing with our free-kicks.

“No disrespect, but having watched Birmingham last night, thank goodness we came out to a full house to play Newcastle in the Premier League.”

Rafa Benitez said: “It was a difficult game against a physical team and we played a lot with 10 players.

“In the end to get a point, it could be better, but we cannot complain too much.

“It was a poor penalty by Kenedy. He’s not happy he missed a good chance. We win as a team and lose as a team. I am not concerned about the fact he missed a penalty – he has to take responsibility.”

Neil Warnock’s Bluebirds are well organised, play for each other and will throw opponents off their game through sheer tenacity and commitment.

But where are the goals going to come from? Manager Warnock spent wisely during the transfer window and has found some real gems over the last year or so, but scoring is going to be a major problem for City.

They had one shot at Bournemouth and one against Newcastle, although Sol Bamba and Kenneth Zohore should have done better with headed chances.

“It was such a big game and the focus was primarily on that rather than any individuals,” said Harry Arter 

Victor (Camarasa) and I couldn’t get caught up in our debuts. 

“The most important thing is earning points this season however we manage it. As a newly promoted team the first point is always the most difficult. 

“Victor was excellent. For a lad to come over from Spain, to have only been here for a week and play the way he did was excellent and hopefully we can complement each other as the season goes on and play for great football.”

Arter and Camarasa were called in to make their Cardiff City debuts and both look capable of being key players this season.

Arter was in the thick of things, working to contain former Swansea player Jonjo Shelvey and producing some quality moments going forward.

Spanish player Camarasa patrolled the area ahead of Sol Bamba and Sean Morrison, while he was able to get forward time and again.

More than 30,000 spectators, including club owner Vincent Tan, were at Cardiff City Stadium, including 2,500 Newcastle fans, and the home team produced a solid team performance.

There were plenty of positives for the Bluebirds and man of the match Murphy said: “The game was there to be one, we dominated from start to finish.” 

Penalty hero Etheridge said: “We could have won it, but we’ll take the point and move on.

Cardiff City players congratulate goalkeeper Neil Etheridge after he saved a penalty from Newcastle United’s Kenedy (Photo by Simon Galloway/PA Images via Getty Images)

“I’ve saved two penalties in two games, but the player taking the spot-kick can put it anywhere he wants. It’s not easy talking a penalty after 90-plus minutes and this time it went my way.”

This was far from a classic performance by Cardiff with moments of real quality were few and far between from either side. The Bluebirds have a lot of progress to make.

But City have, no question, been competitive in their opening two fixtures this season.

Warnock will demand more, the players want more and they are still searching for that first victory.

Newcastle’s penalty came five minutes into second half injury time when Bluebirds captain Sean Morrison handled a cross from Yoshinori Muto.

However, for a second match in succession, Etheridge saved a spot-kick to prompt jubilant celebrations among Cardiff fans.

Cardiff City’s Harry Arter (left) and Newcastle United’s Kenedy battle for the ball. (Photo by Simon Galloway/PA Images via Getty Images)

Warnock’s team battled and scrapped, throwing Newcastle out of their stride and taking the game to their visitors.

Cardiff worked hard, kept their shape and were well organised, but they have to find that creative edge to turn games their way.

Josh Murphy is already looking, potentially at least, a class act at this level with his pace and trickery. He gave Javi Manquillo a real chasing down the left. The defender simply could not cope with Murphy’s speed and skill.

There is, though, plenty of room for improvement for Murphy, who will surely grow in confidence as the season develops.

Warnock and his coaches will work closely with Murphy on his awareness and final delivery from wide areas.

Newcastle, to be fair, struggled to find any fluency, thrown out of their stride by Cardiff’s all-action team performance and Camarasa’s work closing down Jonjo Shelvey.

There were plenty of positive signs for the Bluebirds in this opening Premier home fixture, while Newcastle struggled to find the levels of quality they produced against Spurs a week ago.

The game ended in dramatic style when, five minutes into second injury time, Sean Morrison threw up an arm to block a cross and referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot.

Kenedy, a player who should have been sent off earlier after kicking out at Camarasa, took the spot-kick and, perhaps fittingly, it was saved by Etheridge.

It was certain a poorly struck penalty, fired down the middle, but Etheridge has now saved two penalties in two matches.

Cardiff City: Neil Etheridge, Bruno Manga, Sean Morrison (capt), Sol Bamba, Joe Bennett, Victor Camarasa (Bobby Reid 77), Joe Ralls, Harry Arter, Junior Hoilett (Callum Paterson 83), Kenneth Zohore, Josh Murphy (Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 77). Subs not used: Jazz Richards, Alex Smithies (gk), Greg Cunningham, Gary Madine

Newcastle United: Dubravka, Manquillo (Hayden 46), Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Ritchie (Jacob Murphy 70), Shelvey, Diamé, Kenedy, Pérez (Muto 64), Joselu. Subs not used: Ki Sung-yueng, Murphy, Rondón, Fernandez, Darlow.

Referee: Craig Pawson

Attendance: 30,720.

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