cardiff city vs afc wimbledon — Bluebirds surge to 4-1 win as unbeaten run hits 12
Cardiff City produced a dominant performance to beat AFC Wimbledon 4-1 and maintain a four-point lead at the top of League One. The victory extended Cardiff's unbeaten run to 12 matches and underscored the depth and momentum of Brian Barry-Murphy's squad.
Match summary: control restored after late first-half setback
Cardiff took control early with an intricate, attacking display that culminated in a smart finish from Colwill in the 22nd minute. A low corner from Alex Robertson was met with a first-time strike that nestled inside the near post and put the hosts ahead. Wimbledon, however, hit back in first-half stoppage time when substitute Matty Stevens volleyed in from a set-piece to level against the run of play.
The equaliser proved only a brief interruption. Into the second half Cardiff reasserted themselves with two quick goals in the space of three minutes. Perry Ng climbed to head in from an Ollie Tanner corner and then turned provider himself, laying the ball on for Tanner to twist and finish with composure. That sequence re-established Cardiff's dominance and effectively settled the contest.
Late on, Omari Kellyman capped the win by calmly rolling a low finish into the bottom corner after being found by substitute Callum Robinson, sealing a convincing 4-1 victory and demonstrating the squad's attacking variety.
Context and wider implications
The result keeps Cardiff four points clear at the summit and pushes the gap between them and the play-off positions to double figures. The Bluebirds have now gone 12 matches unbeaten, a run that includes eight wins, and the competition for places in the side remains intense. Squad rotation has been a feature this season, with fresh legs continuing to make decisive contributions.
Individual form has been a major factor: Tanner’s influence is particularly notable — he has provided eight assists and scored once in his last seven games, underpinning Cardiff’s creative threat from wide areas and set plays. The balance between experienced campaigners and younger attackers has given the side options late in matches, as seen with Robinson’s assist for Kellyman.
For Wimbledon, the defeat ends a brief three-match unbeaten spell and leaves them midtable. Despite a momentary resurgence just before halftime, defensive frailties were exposed after the break and the visitors struggled to contain Cardiff’s movement and delivery into the box. A late headed chance that struck the post summed up Wimbledon's limited threat after the interval.
Managerial and tactical takeaways
Cardiff’s manager has overseen a team that presses intelligently, recovers possession quickly and shifts the ball with speed into wide areas. The set-piece routine that created the opener and the corner deliveries that led to the second goal highlighted a coherent attacking plan. Rotation has not diluted quality; substitutes have impacted the match in significant ways and reinforced the manager’s talk of fierce internal competition for starting spots.
Wimbledon will need to shore up defensive organisation and look for greater cohesion in transition if they are to climb the table. Their reliance on moments from set pieces and counter chances was not enough against a side with a clear plan and depth of options.
Updated February 17, 2026, 5: 02 PM ET.
