Cardiff secured their first victory since returning to the Championship with a 3-1 win over Charlton Athletic on Saturday, ending a seven-game winless streak. The Bluebirds, who had frequently dominated previous fixtures without finding the net, took an early lead against one of the division’s stronger sides, breaking the deadlock in the eighth minute through Republic of Ireland international Jack Moylan.

Cardiff’s opening goal was the product of a well-constructed move that began on the left flank with Chris Willock and involved a quick interchange before Moylan found the net at the right-hand corner. Shortly after, Moylan set up Yousef Salech for the team’s second goal in the 24th minute, delivering a precise pass across the six-yard box which Salech converted with ease.

Charlton responded in the 29th minute when Tyreece Campbell capitalized on a through ball from Tyler Bindon, beating Cardiff goalkeeper Nathan Trott in a one-on-one situation. This goal briefly tightened the scoreline and suggested a possible momentum shift, but Cardiff maintained composure.

The second half featured a crucial moment in the 62nd minute when Moylan once again showcased his influence. Starting with a pass to Ollie Tanner on the right edge of the penalty area, Moylan received a quick return pass and struck a powerful shot into the top-right corner, extending Cardiff’s lead and effectively putting the match beyond doubt.

Charlton goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo made several notable saves, including a close-range effort from Salech before halftime, but his team struggled to match Cardiff’s overall intensity and creativity.

Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy acknowledged the challenge his side faced but praised his team for their persistence. “We knew the game was going to be tough but we played a great game, created good chances and today we took enough of them to win. Jack Moylan’s goal came at a really good time for us as it gave us breathing space,” he said.

In contrast, Charlton manager Nathan Jones expressed disappointment in his side’s performance, describing it as uncharacteristic. “It’s an unrecognisable performance to what we normally do. We got out-worked, out-battled, out-ran, out-passed and out-thought. We were inept today,” Jones said.

With this victory, Cardiff halt their winless run and demonstrate their capability to challenge higher-ranked opponents in the Championship. Charlton, who entered the game sitting sixth with only one league loss, now face a test as they look to regain their earlier form.