By Gareth James
Sabri Lamouchi believes Sory Kaba’s “goal of the season” can inspire Cardiff City to remain in the Championship.
The Bluebirds gave their hopes of avoiding relegation a huge boost by coming from behind to win 3-1 at Watford.
Ismaila Sarr gave the Hornets an early lead but their slim hopes of gate-crashing the play-offs were dented by three Cardiff replies in the space of 10 first-half minutes.
Kion Etete and Cedric Kipre quickly turned the scoreline on its head before Kaba posted a goal-of-the-season contender.
The forward, borrowed from Midtjylland in January, chested Perry Ng’s ball into the box up in the air before dispatching a bicycle kick for Cardiff’s third goal in a stunning 10-minute spell.
It was Kaba’s seventh goal in his 13th Bluebirds appearance.
Lamouchi said: “It’s a massive result.
“The beginning was not so good – we didn’t start like we planned to start. I don’t have any explanation for that, we started to play when we scored.
Sory Kaba's stunning overhead strike sealed a vital win for Cardiff City in their Championship survival fight ⚽#BBCFootball
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) April 20, 2023
“Kion scored a good goal and we started to play. Cedric’s goal gave the team power and confidence and after came probably the best goal of the whole season.
“We didn’t control the second half or keep the ball like I asked them but I liked the desire to keep the result.
“I’m proud for the players and very happy for them because they showed one more time the desire to stay in the Championship.”
Watford started brightly and took advantage of some non-existent Cardiff defending to take an 11th-minute lead.
Imran Louza lofted a pass that found Keinan Davis in space on the right of the box and the static visitors could only watch as the on-loan Aston Villa striker nodded the ball across the six-yard box for Sarr to prod home his 10th goal of the season.
Suddenly, after a brief break for players fasting for Ramadan to get some fluids on board, Cardiff were almost level.
Etete headed the ball on and Hornets defender Wesley Hoedt’s attempt to nod back to goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann was seized upon by Kaba, whose lofted effort dropped on to the roof of the net.
It did not cost Cardiff, however, as Etete netted just after the half-hour mark. The summer signing from Cheltenham accepted Andy Rinomhota’s pass on the right of the box and negotiated his way past challengers before slotting across Bachmann from a tight angle.
If you look up “instant Cardiff City cult hero” in the dictionary, it shows you a photo of Sory Kaba.#Bluebirds pic.twitter.com/TsYeaYBwBE
— Ginge Knievil 🏴 (@GingeKnievil) April 19, 2023
Cardiff stunned Watford by taking the lead four minutes later. Ryan Wintle’s drive was blocked by a defender but Kipre was first to the rebound and instantly smashed an unstoppable shot beyond Bachmann from the right of the box.
Watford subsided and allowed Kaba to score an even better goal four minutes before half-time.
Hornets fans immediately turned on their players, chanting ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt’ – and it could have been worse as Mark McGuinness stabbed narrowly wide from a corner just before the break.
The second period began with Watford appealing in vain for penalties, with Cardiff goalkeeper Ryan Allsop also having to punch away from Davis.
Cardiff were no longer a threat, although substitute Connor Wickham sent a tame header straight at Bachmann straight after coming on.
Watford were hardly more clinical as substitute Ken Sema’s shot ended up as a pass to Sarr, who saw an effort of his own saved three minutes from time.
City fans celebrated the final whistle raucously, most home fans had already departed by then.
Watford boss Chris Wilder said: “I want to see a team, supporters want to see a team, everyone wants to see a team.
FULL-TIME! Watford 1-3 Cardiff City #CCFC #Bluebirds https://t.co/paXP8KB1sA
— Glen Williams (@GlenWilliams12) April 19, 2023
“The goal we scored summed it up – it was a team goal – but then all of a sudden everyone wanted to flick it and do their own thing. We basically said to the opposition ‘there you go, get back into the game’.
“I know people talk about shape but it’s about people doing their individual jobs for the team – the team is what people want to come and see.
“Manchester City have got talented players but they play as a team. The best teams in this division have great individuals but they work as a team.
“The teams that will be playing in the play-offs are teams – individuals will be sat on the beach.
“That 10 minutes was completely self-inflicted. They have had three or four chances and scored three goals.
“It has not been a smash and grab, it has been a gift. It epitomised the long-standing issues as well.”