Jack Moylan celebrates Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
Image caption,

Jack Moylan scored his second goal since joining Cardiff from Lincoln

ByGareth Vincent
BBC Sport WalesAtCardiff City Stadium

Cardiff City and Sheffield United remain winless - but also unbeaten - in the Championship this season after an entertaining 2-2 draw at Cardiff City Stadium.

There were three goals in a chaotic opening seven minutes, with Jack Moylan putting Cardiff ahead only for a Tom Cannon penalty and Callum O'Hare's neat finish to turn the game around.

Cian Ashford drew Cardiff level before half-time and the Welsh side looked much more likely to find a second-half winner, with United ultimately happy to avoid defeat after Perry Ng struck the bar late on.

The Bluebirds and Blades are alongside each other in the middle of the early-season table having each taken three points from three games.

The opening goal came inside 80 seconds, with United appeals for a foul in midfield ignored as Ashford spread the ball left to Moylan and he cut inside before beating goalkeeper Michael Cooper at his near post.

Cardiff had barely finished celebrating when Alex Robertson was penalised for a pull on Cannon and he drove home United's first league goal of the season from the spot.

The breathless start was not over, with a long ball forward undoing Cardiff as Patrick Bamford fed O'Hare to sweep United in front.

Cannon might have extended the lead but was denied by goalkeeper Nathan Trott, and with that Cardiff took control.

Ollie Tanner was central to the equaliser, the winger dancing his way into the box and unleashing a shot which was kicked away by Cooper only for Ashford to sweep home the rebound.

Tanner had another effort saved after the break before Ng came closest to finding a winner with a drive from outside the area which cannoned off the bar six minutes from the end.

Callum O'Hare celebrates Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
Image caption,

Sheffield United conceded in the Championship for the first time this season - but also scored their first league goals of 2026-27

Analysis: Decent starts, but both sides left looking for more

Cardiff were formidable opponents on this ground in the third tier last season having endured a desperate run on their own patch as they were relegated from the Championship in 2024-25.

If Cardiff are to have a happier time on their return to the second tier, home form must be better this time around.

Draws against United and Wrexham represent a decent start, particularly when you consider Cardiff trailed in both matches.

But better results will be required as the season unfolds - and the same can be said for their opponents.

With the threat of a 12-point deduction hanging over Bramall Lane, three draws and two Carabao Cup wins represents a decent start to the campaign for United, but manager Chris Wilder will be looking for better - and soon - with back-to-back home fixtures to come next.

Player of the match

Number: 8 J. Moylan
Average rating 7.19
Number: 8 J. Moylan
Average Rating: 7.19
Number: 45 C. Ashford
Average Rating: 6.94
Number: 10 R. Colwill
Average Rating: 6.88
Number: 3 J. Bagan
Average Rating: 6.73
Number: 1 N. Trott
Average Rating: 6.73
Number: 5 K. Bielik
Average Rating: 6.65
Number: 11 O. Tanner
Average Rating: 6.64
Number: 4 G. Osho
Average Rating: 6.38
Number: 9 Y. Salech
Average Rating: 6.16
Number: 18 A. Robertson
Average Rating: 6.13
Number: 38 P. Ng
Average Rating: 6.12
Number: 16 C. Willock
Average Rating: 5.71
Number: 39 Isaak Davies
Average Rating: 5.55
Number: 27 J. Colwill
Average Rating: 5.51
Number: 47 C. Robinson
Average Rating: 5.37
Number: 23 C. Scanlon
Average Rating: 5.28

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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