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The Championship table has moved around this weekend, but Cardiff City remain firmly in the race for the Premier League.
After a thrilling performance as the Bluebirds hosted Nottingham Forest, goals from Sean Morrison and Aron Gunnarsson took Neil Warnock's side to 2-1.
With just a few games to go until the end of the season, here is how the table looks and what Cardiff need to do to go up...
How the Championship table look after Cardiff v Nottingham Forest
Of course, Wolves are top with 98 points - but are already through to the Premier League so we don't have to worry about them.
Cardiff are second in the table after a busy weekend of Championship fixtures after a 2-1 win at home against Forest brought them up to 86 points.
Fulham are on 85 points after an emphatic 3-0 win away at Millwall, meaning the Cottagers had managed to knock Cardiff off the second place spot in the table on Friday before the Bluebirds regained their spot again on Saturday.
Aston Villa are on 82 points after a 4-0 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday.
What Cardiff now need
Cardiff now sit second in the table with 86 points, which means there is just one point separating them from Fulham and a slightly more comfortable four points separating Cardiff from Villa.
Cardiff still have a game in hand on both Fulham and Villa.
If Fulham win both of their remaining matches, that would take them to 91 points.
If Villa win both of their remaining matches, their points tally would rise to 88.
So, with three games left for the Bluebirds, they could go up to 95 points if they win each of those.
But two wins from their final three matches against Derby, Hull City and Reading will be enough for the Bluebirds to seal automatic promotion into the promised land of the Premier League.
The remaining fixtures
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It felt, at times, like one of those nights when promotion hopes could be dashed and anxiety would permeate Cardiff City; yet it will be forever remembered for Aron Gunnarsson's first goal of a golden 2017/18.
An acrobatic 75th minute strike from the Icelandic midfielder secured a precious three points for the Bluebirds, which brings the Premier League looming even larger into view.
As with so many Cardiff games this season, it could have been different, despite Sean Morrison's headed opener.
Cardiff showed character. They were seriously rocked by a five-minute second half spell in which Kenneth Zohore came within inches of doubling the Bluebirds lead, and then Liam Bridcutt silenced a rowdy home faithful with a counter-attacking equaliser.
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Despite Neil Warnock's pre-match defence of Gary Madine, it was no surprise to see him usher back the Norwich goal hero Zohore for this Saturday night fixture.
Madine, still yet to find the net in a blue shirt, was included on one of the strongest Cardiff benches of the season alongside the (partially) stricken Sol Bamba - who endured a shaky night by his standards - goal machine Callum Paterson and super-sub Anthony Pilkington. Joe Ralls made a welcome return from a hamstring injury and weighed in with the assist for Morrison's goal.
Forest certainly came to play, their ginger-haired midfield duo of Jack Colback and Ben Watson enjoying plenty of the ball in the first half.
Joe Lolley was presented with the game's first major chance on eight minutes, slaloming through two Cardiff tackles but blazing over.
Morrison was a threat from set-pieces throughout, first nodding into Stefanos Kapino's bread basket, before two important Cardiff blocks kept it goalless. That would become the theme of the night, with a late brave Craig Bryson block as vital as either goal in securing the win.
A stop-start opening 20 minutes was marked by knocks to both Warnock's full-backs.
First Joe Bennett was the recipient of a sharp Forest elbow, then Lee Peltier took a whack to the wrist. Both continued but it was their defensive teammates, Morrison and Neil Etheridge, who were heavily involved soon after.
Morrison dallied in possession, allowing Forest to stream forward, but Cardiff's captain was bailed out by a sprawling Etheridge who denied Liam Bridcutt when the goal was gaping.
Gunnarsson then latched onto Ralls' corner after 32 minutes yet could only guide it straight at Kapino. His first big chance of the night.
Yet it wasn't long before one of Ralls' dead-eyed deliveries paid dividends for the Bluebirds. This time the totemic Morrison, completely unmarked, headed past Kapino to spark jubilation.
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
They were still celebrating the opener when Hoilett curled just past the post, Cardiff sensing apathy among the players of mid-table Forest whose safety was confirmed earlier in the day thanks to other results.
Still, Aitor Karanka would have seen promise in his troops' first half display. They threatened on the flanks through Lolley and Matty Cash yet just couldn't deal with the Bluebirds' muscular threat from set pieces and counter attacks, like so many other sides who have come to South Wales this season.
Morrison won countless headers, another one going close just before the break when Bennett clipped in a well weighted diagonal.
With the lead established, Warnock had the luxury of introducing Bamba - the only Cardiff player named in the PFA's Championship team of the season - for Peltier at the break.
It was then so nearly 2-0.
Gunnarsson's through ball for Zohore was delightful, as was the striker's dinked finish which struck the inside of the upright before Danny Fox scrambled off the line.
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
(Image: PA)
In that five-minute period, the game - and possibly automatic promotion - swung away from Cardiff. Lolley's ball dissected the home defence, Ben Osborn made the lung-busting run from left-back and Bridcutt did no err this time, prodding beyond Etheridge.
If the atmosphere was bouncing after kick off and Morrison's opener, it was decidedly tense at times in that second half. Noisy at others though, the home faithful willing the ball to go in.
Maybe the context of what had transpired 24 hours earlier, with Fulham swatting aside Millwall to keep the pressure on Cardiff, was playing its part.
The Cottagers had performed with an unerring combination of style and substance in that second half at The New Den. Now, the ball was in the Bluebirds' court.
And they replied as only this 2017/18 vintage can.
It was Gunnarsson, that hero of Cardiff's 2012/13 promotion, who popped up at the perfect time to restore the Bluebirds' precious lead. Bamba won the knockdown from Hoilett's free kick and the Ice Man coolly hammered into the far corner.
More noise. Even more tension. But the bottom line is the win which put Warnock's side a point ahead of Fulham with a game in hand. Three to go.
Cardiff City: Etheridge; Peltier (Bamba, 46), Manga, Morrison (capt.), Bennett; Gunnarsson, Ralls, Bryson (Paterson, 86); Mendez-Laing (Wildschut, 71), Hoilett, Zohore
Subs not used: Murphy, Grujic, Pilkington, Madine.
Nottingham Forest: Kapino; Lichaj, Figueiredo (Mancienne, 60), Fox, Osborn; Watson (capt.), Colback Bridcutt (Guedioura, 71); Cash, Lolley (Vellios, 81), Brereton
Subs not used: Smith, Dowell, Darikwa, Bouchakalis.
Yellow cards: Mancienne, Watson, Colback
Goals: Morrison (35), Bridcutt (50), Gunnarsson (75)
Referee: Peter Bankes
Attendance: 21,310
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Football writer Ian Mitchelmore rates the Cardiff City players from the Bluebirds' win over Nottingham Forest.
Cardiff City v Nottingham Forest LIVE: Score updates as Forest equaliser takes score to 1-1
Neil Etheridge 7
Had little to do early on but raced off his line midway through the first half to thwart Liam Bridcutt when the Forest man was played through on goal. Routine save to deny Jack Colback later in the opening half and quick reactions saw him deny Joe Lolley in the 57th minute.
Lee Peltier 6
Solid showing from the defender who was in constant communication with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on the right. But the right-back took an almighty whack just before the break and was withdrawn at half time.
Bruno Manga 6
Started in the centre of defence in the absence of Sol Bamba but moved to right-back after the change at the interval that saw the Ivorian replace Peltier. Looked more comfortable in the latter half following the tactical switch.
Sean Morrison (CAPT) 7
Lost possession in the middle of the park and Forest almost capitalised through Bridcutt eaarly on. But the centre-back was otherwise very impressive, and headed the Bluebirds in-front 10 minutes before the break in emphatic style. Won everything in the air and was a constant threat at the top end of the pitch.
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Joe Bennett 7
Threw his body on the line, and took an elbow to the face early on for his troubles, although the left-back was fine to continue. Carried a greater threat in attack as the game wore on, and the defender was - by and large - untroubled on the left.
Aron Gunnarsson 8 - Star Man
Won the majority of his aerial duels and played inch perfect through balls to Zohore either side of the interval, the second of which saw Zohore strike the post. Very impressive showing from the Iceman who is edging back to his best following a lengthy injury lay-off, and he struck an acrobatic winner to earn his side another vital three points. Heroic block to deny Colback in the 82nd minute too. Magnificent.
Joe Ralls 7
Looked like he'd never been away and slotted seamlessly back into the Bluebirds' midfield after almost two months out of action. Delivered the corner for Morrison to open the scoring.
Craig Bryson 6
Yet another energetic shift from the midfielder who will be ineligible to face parent club Derby County at Pride Park on Tuesday night. Got to grips with the threat of Lolley and others after a nervy start. Taken off late on.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 5
Was unfortunate as little fell his way in the opening half. And it was pretty much the same story after the break. To his credit, the wideman put in a shift defensively, but he wasn't able to replicate his recent run of form in attack while his first touch let him down on more than one occasion. Replaced in the 71st minute.
Junior Hoilett 7
Started brightly and caused Forest right-back Eric Lichaj plenty of problems. The visitors soon doubled up on the Canadian and his influence waned slightly, although his work-rate remained as high as ever. Became more effective again as the match opened up in the final half an hour.
Kenneth Zohore 7
Was isolated early on, but the Dane grew in confidence and really started to bully the Nottingham Forest defence. Hold up play was impressive while his link up play with Hoilett and Mendez-Laing helped the Bluebirds get a foothold. Almost made it 2-0 three minutes after the restart, although his chipped effort struck the frame of Forest's goal. But overall Neil Warnock will be delighted with the forward.
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Subs
Sol Bamba (for Peltier) - Unable to close down Ben Osborn who crossed for Bridcutt to equalise for Forest after the restart. Headed back into the mixer for Gunnarsson's goal but almost gifted Forest an equaliser with a loose pass late on. 6
Yanic Wildschut (for Mendez-Laing) - Very lively cameo from the Dutchman who played a few inch-perfect long balls to Zohore. 7
Callum Paterson (for Bryson) - Too late to make an impact.
Cardiff City: Etheridge; Peltier (Bamba 46), Manga, Morrison, Bennett; Gunnarsson, Ralls, Bryson (Paterson 86); Mendez-Laing (Wildschut 71), Hoilett, Zohore.
Subs not used: Murphy, Grujic, Pilkington, Madine.
Goals: Morrison 35, Gunnarsson 74
Nottingham Forest: Kapino, Osborn, Fox, Figueiredo (Mancienne 60), Lichaj, Bridcutt (Guedioura 71), Watson, Colback, Cash, Lolley (Vellios 82), Brereton.
Subs not used: Smith, Dowell, Darikwa, Bouchalakis, Dowell.
Goal: Bridcutt 50
Yellow cards: Mancienne 74, Watson 74, Colback 90+2
Referee: Mr P. Bankes
Attendance: 23,310
Welcome to Saturday’s LIVE Nottingham Forest blog.
It’s the best day of the week – matchday! The Reds make the trip to face Cardiff City, and whilst we’ve got to wait a little longer for the action to get underway today – with the televised Championship clash kicking off at 7.45pm – that just means more time to enjoy all the big match build-up!
We’ll be bringing you plenty of that, followed by live updates from the game and all the post-match reaction.
Can Aitor Karanka’s side make it two in a row after ending their winless and goalless streak against Ipswich Town last weekend?
They take on a Bluebirds team who dropped to third in the table as a result of Fulham’s thumping of Millwall on Friday night. Can Forest put another dent in their hosts’ hopes of clinching automatic promotion?
Follow the action with us right here, and we’ll also keep you up to date with the latest Reds news, transfer rumours and developments from the City Ground throughout the day.
