Tottenham Hotspur returned to second position in the Premier League table courtesy of a 3-0 win over Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium.
All three of Tottenham's goals came in the first period, with Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min registering for Mauricio Pochettino's side on New Year's Day.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
4.32pmGood afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Cardiff City and Tottenham Hotspur from Wales. Cardiff recorded a 1-0 win at Leicester City last time out to move into 16th spot in the table. Neil Warnock's side are now three points clear of the relegation zone, which is occupied by Burnley, Fulham and Huddersfield Town. Tottenham, meanwhile, dropped to third after suffering a surprise 3-1 home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 29, which was their fifth league loss of the campaign. Stay tuned for live coverage of the action!
4.34pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Wales. Both managers had injury concerns ahead of the match. Let's have a look...
4.36pmTEAMS!
CARDIFF: Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Cunningham; Arter, Gunnarsson, Camarasa; Murphy, Paterson, Reid
SPURS: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose; Winks, Sissoko; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane
4.38pmSo there we have it. Cardiff boss Neil Warnock has made just the one change from the team that started the 1-0 win over Leicester last time out. The alteration comes in the final third as Bobby Reid takes the place of Junior Hoilett, meaning that Callum Paterson leads the line once again. In-form Victor Camarasa continues in the middle of the park for the Bluebirds.
4.40pm
Happy New Year, #Bluebirds! 🍾#CityAsOne 🔵⚽️🔵⚽️ pic.twitter.com/4gnz4Qw2PL— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) January 1, 2019
4.42pmAs for Tottenham, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has also made one change to the team that started the 3-1 defeat to Wolves last time out. The alteration comes in defence as Danny Rose takes the place of Ben Davies, but Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane all keep their positions in the XI. Pochettino will be looking for a response from his players this afternoon.
4.44pmJust a quick update of what has happened elsewhere in the Premier League today. Leicester recorded a 1-0 win over Everton earlier this afternoon, with Jamie Vardy scoring the only goal of the match. Arsenal, meanwhile, currently lead Fulham 4-1 with 86 minutes on the clock.
4.46pm
📍 🏴 2019 begins at the Cardiff City Stadium! #COYS pic.twitter.com/behlidC2IO— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 1, 2019
4.48pmCardiff will enter this match off the back of an impressive 1-0 win at Leicester last time out. The result has left the Welsh outfit in 16th position in the table, three points clear of the relegation zone. Fulham losing to Arsenal this afternoon is certainly good news for Cardiff.
4.50pmFive wins, three draws and 12 defeats - that is how Cardiff have performed in the Premier League this season. It has brought them 18 points, and a win here would move them into 14th position. Cardiff actually won three straight home Premier League matches between November 10 and December 8, but their last home game was the 5-1 defeat to Manchester United.
4.52pmCardiff have not actually beaten Tottenham since an FA Cup clash in January 1977. Tottenham have won each of their three Premier League meetings 1-0, including the first ever Premier League match between the two teams in Wales back in September 2013.
4.54pmCardiff will have been encouraged by their performance against Tottenham at Wembley in October 2018, however, with Eric Dier scoring the only goal of the match. The Welsh outfit defended well on that afternoon and will be looking for a similar display in this match.
4.56pm
#CARTOT | #CardiffCity team news!
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) January 1, 2019
Brought to you by @1xbet_Eng...#CityAsOne 🔵⚽️🔵⚽️ pic.twitter.com/4mYuU1zqYh
4.58pmIn terms of what is ahead for Cardiff, the Welsh club will travel to Gillingham in the FA Cup at the weekend, before returning to Premier League action at home to Huddersfield Town on January 12. It is a big January for the Bluebirds when considering that they also have trips to Newcastle United and Arsenal in the Premier League. Kickoff is just about 30 minutes away here!
5pmAs for Tottenham, Pochettino's side will enter the match off the back of a 3-1 home defeat to Wolves. Harry Kane sent the London side ahead, but last season's Championship winners hit back with three unanswered goals to record a very, very impressive win at Wembley Stadium.
5.02pmTottenham entered the clash with Wolves off the back of five straight Premier League wins, which had moved them above Manchester City into second spot in the table. Spurs are back down to third, but would go into second with all three points in Wales this afternoon.
5.04pm
Let's get to work! #COYS pic.twitter.com/glIal7UXqb
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 1, 2019
5.06pmTottenham have actually not drawn a single Premier League match this season. Indeed, their record is won 15 and lost five, bringing them 45 points. They are currently two points off second-placed Man City and nine points off leaders Liverpool. Chelsea in fourth, meanwhile, are just two points off Tottenham. Arsenal beat Fulham to move onto 41 points, while Manchester United are on a roll at the moment, which makes the race for the top four very, very interesting indeed.
5.08pmIn terms of what is ahead for Tottenham, the capital outfit are in FA Cup action away to Tranmere Rovers on Friday night, before the small matter of the first leg of their League Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Tottenham's next Premier League match, meanwhile, is at home to Man United on January 13. The big games are coming thick and fast for the club, that is for sure.
5.10pm
🇧🇷 @paulinhop8 struck a 90th minute winner the last time we visited the Cardiff City Stadium! 🙌 #COYS pic.twitter.com/55VzklgMDs
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 1, 2019
5.12pmWhat are Tottenham's ambitions this season? Are they going to challenge for the Premier League title? It is difficult. There is no question that Spurs will want to secure another top-four spot, but Arsenal and Man United will have something to say about that. There are also concerns over Pochettino, who will surely be tempted by the Red Devils at the end of the season.
5.14pmJust a reminder of the two starting XIs this afternoon...
CARDIFF: Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Cunningham; Arter, Gunnarsson, Camarasa; Murphy, Paterson, Reid
SPURS: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose; Winks, Sissoko; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane
5.16pmCallum Paterson will again lead the line for Cardiff this afternoon. Paterson is the team's leading scorer in the Premier League this season with four, while Victor Camarasa and Josh Murphy have contributed three each. Bobby Reid also has two league strikes this term.
5.18pmNo real surprises in the Tottenham XI this afternoon, with Kane again leading an attack which also includes Alli, Son and Eriksen. Harry Winks will hold the midfield with Moussa Sissoko as Mousa Dembele is still on the sidelines. It is a very strong Tottenham team in Wales.
5.20pm
14 - Cardiff have lost their last 14 Premier League matches against the 'big six' sides, conceding 45 goals across those matches, with 22 of those goals conceded coming in their six defeats this season. Worry. pic.twitter.com/RULVOSIfDi— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 1, 2019
5.22pmIt must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. The Tottenham fans will be expecting a win this afternoon, but Cardiff had been in good form at home before the 5-1 mauling by Man United. Little under 10 minutes until kickoff at the Cardiff City Stadium.
5.24pmPREDICTION! I fancy Tottenham. Cardiff will make it difficult for the visitors, but Spurs just have so much in the final third of the field. Kane to score in a Tottenham win.
5.26pmEight goals this afternoon would be nice....
🎆 A New Year's Day to remember in 2015! 💥 #COYS pic.twitter.com/toDro8X8Wq— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 1, 2019
5.28pmHere we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at the Cardiff City Stadium. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute coverage of the action!
0 minKICKOFF: Cardiff kick things off on home soil...
2 min... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. Cardiff are in their normal blue here, with Tottenham in white shirts and dark blue shorts. Spurs make some good ground down the left in the early stages, but Rose cannot force a pass into Son.
3 minPass, pass, pass from Tottenham in the early stages as they look to gain early control of the ball. Cardiff are quick across the pitch, however, and Arter bites into Winks in midfield.
3 minGOAL! CARDIFF 0-1 TOTTENHAM (KANE)
4 minOh what a mess. Tottenham take the lead in the third minute as Morrison pokes the ball against Kane inside the Cardiff box and the ball drops into the bottom corner. It was a real mess inside the Cardiff penalty box when a low cross came into a dangerous position.
6 minFar from terminal for Cardiff, but it is exactly the start that Cardiff boss Warnock would have not wanted. The pressure is now on the home side to press players forward.
8 minThe Cardiff fans are doing their best to raise their team, but Tottenham are full of confidence as they zip the ball around in the final third. Spurs want to double their lead ASAP here.
10 minCardiff break down the left through Cunningham and the ball is worked into Reid, but the striker cannot turn away from Winks, who immediately plays a through ball for Son.
11 minMurphy delivers a dangerous low cross into the Tottenham box, but Alderweireld beats Reid to the ball. Much better from the home side as they start to cause some problems.
12 minSuper defending from Rose to clear a cross from Murphy; Paterson was pretty much there, but Rose cleared at the far post. It has been a really good response from the home side.
12 minGOAL! CARDIFF 0-2 TOTTENHAM (ERIKSEN)
13 minTottenham double their advantage as Eriksen picks out the bottom corner from just inside the Cardiff box. Too easy for Spurs, who are already well on their way to three points.
15 minCardiff are doing their best to force the issue, but they keep getting caught on the break, and Tottenham look like scoring each time that they commit players in the final third of the field.
17 minPossession football from Tottenham as they continue to dominate the football.
19 minCamarasa is penalised for a high boot and smashes the ball away in disgust. Probably a touch fortunate to escape a booking there. Tottenham are still in utter control of this match.
21 minNot too much happening at the moment as Cardiff continue to huff and puff without really threatening to score. The home supporters need something to shout about here.
23 minThe Tottenham fans are in fine voice at the moment as their team continues to move the ball with pace and purpose. Alli looks very sharp as he buzzes around in the final third here.
25 minYou do get the feeling that Cardiff need a goal back before the interval to stand any chance of getting back into this match. A third for Tottenham, however, and it is goodnight for this one.
26 minPass, pass, pass from Tottenham as they continue tov move the ball. Alli breaks into the Cardiff box, but Bamba does well to make the clearance. Cardiff really need to hold on.
26 minGOAL! CARDIFF 0-3 TOTTENHAM (SON)
27 minAnd there is the third. It is game over in Wales as Son dances past the challenge of Morrison before picking out the far corner with a low finish. Cardiff are in serious trouble here.
29 minSHOT! Son misses the crossbar with a strike from outside the Cardiff box.
31 minIt is safe to say that Tottenham will be returning to second position in the Premier League table ahead of the clash between Liverpool and Man City on Thursday night. Tottenham have lost five Premier League matches this season but are yet to draw a single one.
33 minCamasara delivers a dangerous corner into the Tottenham box, but Rose clears. Nothing much from Cardiff since that decent work from Murphy which created a half-chance for Reid.
35 minMurphy manages to work the ball into Reid, who fires wide of the Tottenham post. The offside flag is raised, but Murphy has proved to be a decent outlet for the home side.
37 minCamarasa looks to slide a pass into Reid, but the weight is just too strong.
39 minCardiff have to concede a corner as Trippier delivers a dangerous cross into the home side's penalty box. It is Tottenham's first corner of the match, but the danger is cleared.
41 minMurphy again looks for Paterson with a cross into the Tottenham box, but the danger is cleared. Decent pressure from Cardiff, although they do not look like scoring here.
43 minThe offside flag goes up once again as Cardiff look to make the most of a free kick in a dangerous area. It does appear that Tottenham's 3-0 lead will stand at the interval here.
45 minI should not imagine that there will be too much added time at the end of the half here.
45+1 minHALF TIME: CARDIFF 0-3 TOTTENHAM
6.16pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Tottenham leading Cardiff 3-0 courtesy of goals from Kane, Eriksen and Son. It has been far, far too easy for Spurs thus far and the capital outfit will return to second spot in the table as things stand.
6.21pmSTATISTICS! Tottenham had 71% of the ball in the first period and scored with each of their three attempts on target. Cardiff, meanwhile, hit the target with their only attempt. No yellow cards to report in the first 45 minutes; it has not really been that type of contest.
6.26pmBENCH WATCH! Tottenham boss Pochettino will surely look to rest players in the second period and it would not be a surprise to see the likes of Lucas Moura, Skipp and Walker-Peters play a part in the second period. Cardiff manager Warnock will have similar thoughts in mind, meanwhile, and Hoilett, Mendez-Laing and Ralls could see some football in the second half.
46 minKICKOFF: Tottenham resume the action here...
46 min... CARDIFF SUB! Hoilett replaces Murphy at the break.
48 minNo changes from Tottenham at the interval, but Pochettino will think about giving some of his stars a rest as play develops here. Cardiff need a goal back very quickly indeed.
50 minNot too much to report in terms of attacks in the second period, and the onus is certainly on Cardiff to press players forward. Tottenham can cruise through the second 45 if they like.
52 minCHANCE! Big chance for Cardiff as Hoilett climbs above Trippier to meet a loose ball inside the Tottenham box, but Lloris is on hand to make the save. Better from the home side.
53 minYELLOW CARD! Bamba (Cardiff) is booked for a poor challenge on Son.
54 minSon gets to his feet after a period on the deck; that was a sore one.
56 minPossession football from Tottenham as they pass and probe in Cardiff's half of the field.
58 minCardiff are going to be forced into change here and it is a big blow as Camasara, who is probably their most talented player, has picked up an injury. Ralls could enter here.
59 minCARDIFF SUB! Ralls replaces Camarasa for the home side.
61 minHoilett fails to pick the right pass in the final third as Cardiff take advantage of some poor Tottenham defending. Kane then fires over the crossbar down the other end of the field.
63 minCHANCE! Two good blocks from Bamba as Kane twice has shots inside the Cardiff box.
65 minWe are entering the stage of the match where Tottenham boss Pochettino will be thinking about alterations. That said, not many of this XI will be playing against Tranmere.
67 minSAVE! Smart save from Etheridge to keep out a strike from Son, who was found by Kane inside the Cardiff box. Not sure about some of the defending from the home side there.
69 minPossession football from Tottenham as we head for the final 20 minutes of action.
71 minSAVE! Lloris has to tip an awkward Hoilett effort over the crossbar.
73 minCARDIFF SUB! Mendez-Laing replaces Reid for the home side.
73 minCHANCE! Huge chance for Cardiff as Gunnarsson flicks a header towards the Tottenham goal, but Lloris is on hand to make the save. Should have found the back of the net.
75 minCardiff have caused problems during stages of this match, but there is no question that Tottenham could take it up another level if they needed, which is what happened in the first period.
77 minTOTTENHAM SUB! Skipp replaces Son for the away side.
79 minLittle over 10 minutes of the second period remaining at the Cardiff City Stadium.
80 minAlli has a shot blocked inside the Cardiff box as the visitors look for a fourth.
82 minPENALTY APPEAL! Cardiff want a penalty as Skipp appears to pull Gunnarsson to the ground, but the referee is not interested. There was some shirt-pulling in there somewhere.
84 minSHOT! Little over five minutes of the second period remaining and Cardiff are on the front foot at the moment, with Hoilett cutting inside before firing over the crossbar.
86 minEriksen drives through the heart of Cardiff before finding Rose, but the left-back's low cross is blocked behind for a corner. Llorente is going to enter the field for the away side.
86 minTOTTENHAM SUB! Alli is replaced by Llorente for the away side.
89 minA lot of the Cardiff fans have left the stadium as we head for the final moments.
90 minSHOT! Sissoko blasts over the Cardiff crossbar after breaking into the Tottenham box.
90+1 minWe are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the match.
90+3 minMorrison glances a header wide of the Tottenham post as we enter the final moments of this match. It appears that the second half will end goalless at least.
90+4 minFULL TIME: CARDIFF 0-3 TOTTENHAM
7.20pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Tottenham recording a 3-0 win over Cardiff to return to second position in the Premier League table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. See you again soon!
