Saturday 20 October 2018 18:56, UK
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock was a relieved man after seeing his side record their first Premier League win of the season with a 4-2 victory over Fulham on Saturday.
The result, secured thanks to first-half goals from Josh Murphy and Bobby Reid, before Callum Paterson and Kadeem Harris strikes sealed the three points after the break, also saw Cardiff move off the foot of the table.
It was his players' response to falling behind early to Andre Schurrle's long-range effort, however, that most pleased Warnock.
"We have played well the last few games really, without any reward," he said. "We made silly mistakes, even today we made silly mistakes.
"But all credit to the boys, they have played some good stuff today, good goals, could have had more and just great to get that three points. It is such a thing on your back, especially with all the pundits, so we needed a win.
"Everybody knew that and I thought the character shone through in the second half, which I was delighted with."
The Cardiff boss revealed how he and his players had been perfecting their game plan all week long, so much so that Warnock named his starting line-up back on Monday.
"I told them the team last Monday, even though Bruno [Ecuele Manga] and Harry Arter were away and we worked at it all week," he said. "We thought we could expose certain areas, but we did not expect a world goal like the first one, a worldy to go in!
"I thought we had a lot of character today, coming back from…. not knockout blows, but disappointments. And we did not let it get us down, we kept going and like I said, I thought we deserved the win.
"I thought Paterson was absolutely brilliant today up front, he caused no end of trouble and everybody played their part. Bobby Reid and Murph [Josh Murphy], I thought Victor Camarasa was very good as well.
"So all the way through there were some really good performances."
Warnock was even able to laugh off a missed possible sending off after 19 minutes when Fulham defender Calum Chambers pulled back Murphy when through on goal.
"We thought so (it was a red card), but he [Kevin Friend] said he [Murphy] had not got control of it, but he is through on goal, so you get some and you do not. We have not had many this season, I must admit," he said.
But overall the 69-year-old was delighted that the club's fans were able to see their side win a Premier League game for the first time since April 2014.
"It gives everybody a lift," Warnock said. "We have Liverpool next week, but I think our home games will decide what we do this season and we should have had six or seven points this season here.
"So we are disappointed, but you heard the crowd today, they were magnificent and they have been all season and I am pleased for them and the Chairman, who is here today.
"So it has been a great day all round and good to have some goals to celebrate and the fans will go home happy tonight."
