- Forest fall to defeat in South Wales
- Hugill and Davies goals end Reds' four-game winning run
Head Coach Steve Cooper made one change from 3-0 victory against Barnsley in midweek with Max Lowe restored to the starting XI and Keinan Davis dropping to the bench after being ill in the week.
Forest started the match in a 4-2-3-1 formation with James Garner in the central position off Lewis Grabban.
After just five minutes, Cardiff took the lead. Scott McKenna’s pass was intercepted by Perry Ng in Cardiff territory and the centre half immediately released The Bluebirds' new loan signing from Norwich, Jordan Hugill, who travelled unopposed on Brice Samba’s goal and steered the ball into the right-hand corner of the net.
Forest, playing in their distinctive third kit, offered their first threat when Lewis Grabban’s crossed dangerously and, after forcing a corner from Djed Spence’s cross, Brennan Johnson was just unable to connect at the far post from the flag kick.
Spence was getting plenty of the ball on the right for Forest, and from his cross after a quarter of an hour, Jack Colback shot wide with referee David Webb giving a goal-kick despite the midfielder's protests of a deflection.
After 20 minutes, Max Lowe made a vital tackle when Ng broke free in the Forest box but the Sheffield United loanee got a toe on the ball before the defender could shoot.
The Reds nearly equalised after 26 minutes when Spence released Johnson on the right. The Welshman cut inside Alfie Doughty and accelerated along the touchline before his cut back was sliced under his own crossbar by Cody Drameh at the far post before Alex Smithies punched clear.
Shortly afterwards, Jack Colback was shown the first yellow card of the afternoon when he fouled the debutant Hugill in midfield. Hugill then threatened for the hosts from a left-wing corner but Forest managed to clear.
Just after the half hour, Joe Ralls swerved a 25-yard volley wide of Samba’s post after Forest failed to clear their lines in midfield.
Forest were enjoying more than three-quarters of the possession but, 10 minutes before the break, Samba was required to get down smartly to save from Hugill’s volley from 10 yards from Manchester City loanee’s Doyle’s right-wing cross. Shortly afterwards, James Garner shot wide for Forest from outside the box.
Joe Ralls was fortunate to escape at least a booking from referee Webb for a late tackle on Ryan Yates but, despite more patient possession in the three minutes of injury time, The Reds went into the break a goal down.
HALF-TIME: Cardiff City 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Brice Samba failed to collect Scott McKenna’s back pass as The Reds conceded an early corner in the second period.
After three minutes of the half, Djed Spence released Ryan Yates in the box but his driven cross against goal was cleared in the six-yard box by Perry Ng.
After 51 minutes, Cody Drameh became the first Cardiff player booked by referee David Webb for sliding into Scott McKenna near halfway.
Shortly afterwards, James Garner slipped Sean Morrison on the left and his slide rule cross just evaded the outstretched Brennan Johnson arriving in the six-yard box.
At the other end, Scott McKenna blocked Jordan Hugill’s shot before Cardiff manager Steve Morison made his first change 10 minutes into the second half when forward Isaak Davies replaced Max Watters.
Steve Cooper then also made his first substitution when Aston Villa loanee Keinan Davis replaced Philip Zinckernagel with Lewis Grabban moving to the left of the attack.
Cardiff doubled their lead 20 minutes into the second half when substitute Isaak Davies was on hand to walk the ball home when Joe Ralls' curling effort from 20 yards hit the inside of the post following a dangerous cross by Jordan Hugill.
Midway through the half, Xande Silva replaced Jack Colback as Grabban dropped behind Davis and Silva moved out left.
Goalscoring debutant Hugill was then replaced by James Collins with 20 minutes left as the rain started to swirl around the Cardiff City Stadium.
Spence shot over when well placed after Johnson’s shot was blocked as Forest looked to find a way back into the match.
However, Cardiff were also still pressing and Collins headed over before Ryan Wintle shot wide with fifteen minutes left.
With 10 minutes to play, Cafu replaced Steve Cook and Ryan Yates dropped into centre half alongside Scott McKenna.
Will Vaulks replaced Joe Ralls for Cardiff as Steve Morison made his final change of the afternoon. Wintle was then booked for delaying a restart as The Bluebirds looked to hold on to their two-goal advantage.
With five minutes left, a neat one-two between Davis and Xande Silva released the former West Ham man but he skewed his shot over the bar with just Alex Smithies to beat.
Lewis Grabban hobbled off after taking a knock on the ankle as Forest finished the match with 10 men.
Deep into added time, The Reds pulled a goal back through Keinan Davis, who nodded in Garner's corner at the far post for his second goal in two games.
Forest sensed a late comeback, but the final whistle blew shortly after as Cardiff held on to complete the double over The Reds.
FULL-TIME: Cardiff City 2-1 Nottingham Forest
MATCH STATISTICS
Cardiff City (5-3-2): Alex Smithies; Cody Drameh, Perry Ng, Sean Morrison, Mark McGuinness, Alfie Doughty; Tommy Doyle, Joe Ralls (Will Vaulks 82'), Ryan Wintle; Jordan Hugill (James Collins 69’), Max Watters (Isaak Davies 56’)
Substitutes not used: Dillon Phillips, Joel Bagan, Aden Flint, Marlon Pack
Goals: Jordan Hugill 6’, Isaak Davies 65’
Bookings: Cody Drameh 52’, Ryan Wintle 83'
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Brice Samba; Djed Spence, Steve Cook (Cafu 79’), Scott McKenna, Max Lowe; Jack Colback (Xande Silva 68’), Ryan Yates; Brennan Johnson, James Garner, Philip Zinckernagel (Keinan Davis 59’); Lewis Grabban
Substitutes not used: Ethan Horvath, Tobias Figueiredo, Gaetan Bong, Oli Hammond
Goals: Keinan Davis 90'
Bookings: Jack Colback 27’
Referee: David Webb
Attendance: 18,866 including 1,376 Forest supporters
Possession: 32%-68%
Shots: 10-6
Shots on target: 4-1
Corners: 3-2