Mackay uses cover of derby win to take aim at Tan

Cardiff City 1 Swansea 0

Steven Caulker returned to haunt his former club as his powerful header gave Cardiff the bragging rights in the Premier League’s first south Wales derby, while Gary Medel and Kevin Theophile-Catherine were among other signings made with Moody’s aid to feature strongly.

A game of few clear chances failed to live up to the hyped build-up at Cardiff CityStadium with Michu missing Swansea’s best opportunity in just the fifth minute, but Cardiff emerged victorious as Caulker, who spent a season on loan at Swansea, rose to score the winner.

Swansea, who had keeper Michel Vorm sent off in stoppage time, started the game strongly, but Michael Laudrup’s side gradually faded.

Amid all the recent furore caused by the exit of Moody and the appointment of his acting replacement Alisher Apsalyamov, the uncertainty over Mackay’s future and the motives of controversial owner Tan will be briefly forgotten by Bluebirds’ fans.

The Scot said afterwards he had yet to talk to the owner and went on to praise the quality of the players who have joined the club during his time in charge, all of whom were brought in with Moody at his side.

“I am delighted about the performance and the three points for our fans, our staff and our players as they have had a tough three or four weeks to endure,” he said.

“For us to come out with a performance like that and three points and put a smile on the face of everyone in Cardiff is something that really pleases me more than anything else.

“We have worked hard here for two-and-a-half years, in terms of my staff and the players we have brought to the club to get to a point like this.

“We want to make sure we are here next year in this division because it is fantastic.”

CARDIFF: Marshall, Theophile-Catherine, Caulker, Turner, Taylor, Medel (Kim 88), Cowie, Mutch (Gunnarsson 54), Whittingham, Bellamy, Odemwingie (Campbell 75).

SWANSEA: Vorm, Rangel, Chico, Williams, Taylor, Britton (Pozuelo 71), Shelvey, Dyer, de Guzman, Routledge (Vazquez 81), Michu (Bony 65).

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).