cardiff city vs afc wimbledon — Bluebirds cruise to 4-1 win to stretch lead

Cardiff City put on a commanding display to defeat AFC Wimbledon 4-1 on 17 February 2026 (ET), stretching their unbeaten league run to 12 matches and consolidating a four-point lead at the top of League One. A polished performance featured a first-half opener from Joel Colwill and a dominant second-half sequence that settled the contest.

Control established early, Colwill opens the scoring

From the outset, Cardiff dictated the tempo. An early spell of fluent passing and probing movement put Wimbledon on the back foot, with right-back Perry Ng even finding space to shoot as the hosts probed down the flanks. The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute when Alex Robertson clipped a low corner toward the edge of the box and Joel Colwill met it with a rising, first-time strike that nestled inside the near post.

Wimbledon, who had shown some promise in pockets, hit back in stoppage time before half by exploiting a set-piece. Steve Seddon's free-kick found substitute Matty Stevens unmarked and he volleyed home to level, a reminder that the tie was not settled despite Cardiff's control in the opening 45.

Second-half surge settles the outcome

Any hopes of a Wimbledon comeback were extinguished early in the second period. Within 16 minutes of the restart Cardiff produced two quick goals that underlined the gulf in form between the sides. Tanner whipped a corner into the box for Ng to meet with a powerful header and, scarcely three minutes later, Ng returned the favour by teeing up Ollie Tanner. Tanner's quick turn inside the area and composed finish restored the hosts' lead and shifted the match firmly in Cardiff's favour.

Wimbledon offered the odd anxious moment and came close late when Seddon headed against the post, but Cardiff's control was comprehensive. Substitute Callum Robinson played in Omari Kellyman in the 87th minute and Kellyman drilled a calm finish into the bottom corner to wrap up the scoring and punctuate a stylish team performance.

Wider implications and squad momentum

The victory was Cardiff's eighth success during their current 12-game unbeaten run and pushes the gap to the play-off places further out of reach. The Bluebirds now sit four points clear at the summit, a margin that will give the squad confidence as the season progresses. The manager highlighted the intense competition for places within the squad, a factor that has helped maintain form and freshness across the campaign.

Individual contributions stood out: Colwill's first-time strike showcased his timing in the box, Tanner continued a purple patch of creativity with another goal and assist involvement, while Ng's aerial threat and delivery proved decisive. The late Kellyman goal underlined the depth available off the bench and will be welcomed as fixtures begin to pile up.

For Wimbledon, the result ends a brief unbeaten run and leaves them short of climbing the table, but their set-piece quality and intermittent threat on the break offered encouragement. The visitors will need to shore up defensive lapses and convert sporadic chances into consistent pressure if they are to move away from the lower half of the table in the coming weeks.

Cardiff now prepare to build on this momentum as the title race enters its crucial phase, while Wimbledon will look to regroup and address issues highlighted by a visit to a top-of-the-table side on home turf.