Stoke 3-0 Cardiff

Sidibe scored the third goal for Stoke

Three second-half goals inside five minutes sealed victory for Stoke as Cardiff lost top spot in the table.

Bluebird Michael Chopra blew the best first-half chance, and on 60 minutes Liam Lawrence found substitute Ricardo Fuller, who fired in a precision shot.

Poor defending at a corner let Lawrence smash in his first goal for the Potters, before Mamady Sidibe squeezed in a shot from the edge of the area.

Cardiff's Stephen McPhail then saw red for pushing Lee Hendrie in the face.

I've seen my five-year-old grandson stick a better right hook on someone, but Hendrie went down like he was pole-axed Cardiff manager Dave Jones

On-loan Aston Villa midfielder Hendrie exchanged angry words with Bluebirds manager Dave Jones when he was substituted moments later.

The victory was the Potters' fifth successive win - all without conceding a goal.

The result ends the Bluebirds' two-and-a-half month stay at the top, Preston moving ahead of them after a 1-1 home draw with Coventry.

To add to the Bluebirds' misery, Republic of Ireland midfielder McPhail faces a three-match ban, increasing the pressure on their threadbare squad.

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Cardiff manager Dave Jones:

"I can't defend Stephen McPhail - but I certainly won't defend Lee Hendrie.

Hendrie's reaction to McPhail infuriated Jones

"I've seen my five-year-old grandson stick a better right hook on someone, but Hendrie went down like he was pole-axed.

"If Stephen is going to be suspended for three games I'd rather he'd given him a good right hand because what he did deserved it - it's not something that's in my game, never has been.

"We were our own worst enemies, though, and two bad decisions cost us the first goal.

"Stoke didn't have to work hard for the win, but full credit to them - they took it.

"The players let themselves down, but we'll take it on the chin, regroup and come again - there's a long way to go this season."

Stoke manager Tony Pulis:

"In the first half I thought we looked a little anxious with a few players trying too hard to impress the crowd.

"But in the second half we upped our game and were by far the better side.

"We have a very good home record and teams are going to come here with a lot of respect.

"It's up to us to keep things simple and keep getting the results.

"It's a great win because Cardiff are a strong side, but we have to keep our feet on the ground."

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Stoke: Simonsen, Hoefkens, Duberry, Higginbotham, Griffin, Hendrie (Brammer 87), Russell, Diao, Lawrence (Berger 68), Sidibe, Pericard (Fuller 52).
Subs Not Used: Hill, Buxton. Booked: Duberry.

Goals: Fuller 60, Lawrence 63, Sidibe 65.

Cardiff: Alexander, McNaughton, Purse, Johnson, Wright, Ledley (Kamara 66), Scimeca, McPhail, Parry, Chopra, Thompson (Campbell 75).
Subs Not Used: Howard, Cooper, Gunter.

Sent Off: McPhail (85).

Booked: Thompson, Chopra.

Att: 15,039

Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).