Cardiff City climbed to the top of League One with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Northampton Town at Sixfields, marking a crucial turnaround after consecutive league defeats and a slump in the Bluebirds' performances as of late.
A Lightning Start Pays Dividends
The Bluebirds made a dream start to proceedings, striking in the seventh minute through Joel Colwill. A smart pass from Ronan Kpakio just inside the box found Joel an turned sharply and unleashed an effort from a difficult angle that beat the outstretched Cobblers keeper, Ross Fitzsimons, and into the far-left corner. The strike marked Colwill's third goal of the season, his first in the league - continuing an impressive breakthrough campaign for the Cymru youngster.
Colwill's early finish appeared to have gifted Cardiff the ideal platform to build upon, yet the Cobblers responded with considerable pressure that threatened to overwhelm Brian Barry-Murphy's side. Michael Forbes headed wide after a promising set-piece opportunity, while Tom Eaves struck the post during a sustained period of Northampton pressure. Nathan Trott made a crucial save to deny Jack Perkins as the home side's attacking intent grew increasingly dangerous.
Cardiff's early momentum dissipated further when vice-captain Rubin Colwill, Joel's older brother, was forced off with an ankle injury inside the opening 20 minutes. The departure of such a key creative presence disrupted Cardiff's rhythm considerably, with David Turnbull introduced as a replacement. Despite this setback, Cardiff managed to reach half-time with their slender advantage intact, with Trott's outstanding goalkeeping proving instrumental to the Bluebirds.
What a way to score your first league goal for your club! ☝🏻
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 22, 2025
Joel Colwill gets Cardiff City underway to move top of the table 🔝
Watch EFL highlights on ITVX 📺 pic.twitter.com/l4cAQO80Wx
A Reversal of Fortunes
The second half saw Northampton emerge with renewed vigour, and their persistence was rewarded when Ethan Wheatley struck the equaliser in the 57th minute. The on-loan Manchester United teenager demonstrated impressive composure, racing down the left flank before cutting inside and curling a delightfully struck effort beyond Trott to level the match.
What followed proved devastatingly brief for Northampton. Within three minutes of restoring parity, the hosts were undone by their own misfortune when Wheatley converted a Joel Bagan corner into his own net whilst attempting to clear the ball. The Manchester United loanee, who had moments earlier given Northampton hope with his brilliant equaliser, now found himself on the wrong end of a cruel twist of fate that handed Cardiff a 2-1 advantage.
Northampton tried to find a way back into the game, but it appeared that Wheatley's own-goal had 'knocked the stuffing' out of the home side, with Barry-Murphy's side pushing to take advantage of this. Ryan Wintle saw an effort cleared off the line after a Bagan corner, whilst goalkeeper Nathan Trott produced two sensational saves in quick succession to deny both Wheatley seeking redemption for his own goal and Elliott List, who spurned a golden opportunity to grab an equaliser for Northampton.
🎯Plenty to be positive about today despite the result, inclduing this superb goal from Ethan Wheatley.@ManUtd #ShoeArmy 👞 pic.twitter.com/g1vTyq3osU
— Northampton Town (@ntfc) November 22, 2025
Willock Seals a Dramatic Conclusion
As the match entered stoppage time with Northampton still pressing for an equaliser, Cardiff delivered the knockout blow on the counter-attack. Ronan Kpakio surged down the right, evading Dean Campbell and Micheal Forbes with impressive dribbling before finding Chris Willock free on the edge of area, who curled a stunning finish into the top corner to make it 3-1.
Willock scoring from the edge of the box. Shock.
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) November 23, 2025
📺 Highlights ➡️ https://t.co/zFW8d5LR6u#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/rzRwOHWqwp
Looking Ahead
The victory at Sixfields represents exactly the type of away performance that could deliver Cardiff the league title - grinding the win out when you're not at full steam. Following this defeat, the Cobblers have dropped to 17th, following their third defeat in five league games. Securing the three points sees Cardiff leapfrog several competitors to the summit of League One. The Bluebirds also carry a game in hand or more on Bradford, Lincoln and the remaining teams currently sat in the play-off spots.
The Bluebirds' next fixture sees them travel to Mansfield Town, with the Cardiff faithful hoping that the injury to Rubin Colwill, isn't too serious. The playmaker has been a vital part of Barry-Murphy's team this season, pulling the strings behind Yousef Salech.
