CHOPS FIRES ANOTHER IN CITY STROLL; Second Severnside success as Rovers are rolled over.

Byline: Simon Kendal-Williams

HOW Cardiff City must wish they could play teams from Bristol every week. Another Severnside derby, another comprehensive victory at the Cardiff City Stadium.

And yet another goal from the country's in-form striker. Michael Chopra set the ball rolling with his eighth goal of the season as City marched into the third round of the Carling Cup.

And, a shaky 10-minute second-half spell aside, this was every bit as impressive as last Sunday's 3-0 win over Bristol City.

Boss Dave Jones made five changes from the starting XI which had beaten Rovers' arch-rivals.

As expected, David Marshall made way for Peter Enckelman and Tony Capaldi returned from suspension at left-back.

That meant Paul Quinn reverted to right-back, while Gabor Gyepes and Stephen McPhail replaced Mark Hudson and Joe Ledley, McPhail taking the captain's job.

Most significantly, on-loan Kelvin Etuhu made his first start for the rested Jay Bothroyd.

Rovers, flying high in League One, made three changes following the 1-0 win over Huddersfield.

Dominic Blizzard came in for Aaron Lescott, the injured older brother of hot topic Joleon, Danny Coles made way for Steve Elliott and Welsh goalkeeper Rhys Evans took over from Fraser Forster.

Given their start to the season, it was no surprise to see City begin with a swagger. Such was their dominance in the opening 20 minutes, that the Pirates barely crossed the halfway line.

Chopra fired a couple of looseners from outside the area which narrowly missed either post, while Peter Whittingham, again putting himself about, saw a shot blocked by Elliott. Chris Burke was having a field day on the right flank against Jeff Hughes.

And when a jinking run ended in him being scythed down, Whittingham's free-kick was met by a firm Gyepes header back across goal which struck the upright.

Etuhu was settling in comfortably enough, linking well with Chopra and the midfield. But he spurned two chances in as many minutes.

In the 25th minute, a superb slide-rule pass from Whittingham into the left-hand side of the penalty area put the 21-year-old clean through.

But, with Evans advancing, he could only poke a hurried shot wide of the near post. And, in City's next attack, Etuhu again found space after leaving Elliott in a heap on the floor.

He forced a smart save from Evans, but perhaps would have been better served pulling the ball back for the unmarked Chopra.

When the opener came on 34 minutes, it owed to as much to perseverance as skill. Whittingham and Etuhu chased a seemingly lost cause down the left, which Carl Regan looked favourite to win.

Etuhu's outstretched foot diverted the ball into the defender's path, and he was unable to check his run in time to stop himself inadvertently playing an inch-perfect pass into Chopra's path.

For a striker in white-hot form, a one-on-one from 12 yards was only going to end with a bulging net. And, after a single touch, Chopra lifted the ball over Evans, this time, keeping his right boot on.

It was no less than City deserved and the home fans settled back for a comfortable evening.

But they had to wait until halfway through the second half to start dreaming of a glamour third-round tie. Before that, the match had threatened to peter out.

Rovers showed little adventure in pushing for an equaliser and City were guilty of over-elaborating in the final third.

The heat was turned up by a challenge on Burke on the touchline, a decision which so incensed Chopra that he ran 35 yards to remonstrate with referee Roger East.

When he got there, all he got was a yellow card. The resulting free-kick produced nothing, but a minute later, Evans could only parry a low Burke shot into Whittingham's path, and the midfielder duly obliged with his third strike in six games.

Injury-plagued midfielder Riccy Scimeca was given a huge ovation on replacing Gavin Rae for his first appearance of the season, but just after that, Rovers suddenly burst into life. And in the 76th minute, they grabbed an unlikely lifeline.

A rare attack forced a corner, and there was Elliott - unmarked - to head home Campbell's delivery from 12 yards. Suddenly it was the Pirates with the initiative.

Indecision from Enckelman forced Anthony Gerrard into evasive action as substitute Andy Williams threatened to nip in, and Campbell missed a glorious chance from 12 yards when he could only spoon over.

As City began to wobble just a little, it was left to one of their young guns to calm the nerves.

Burke was again the provider, crossing into the box where youth product Josh Magennis was on hand with a diving header for his first senior goal.

"WE had to be at our best - it doesn't matter who you play.

In the first half we didn't get our rewards. I was really pleased with our passing and movement.

With a bit more luck and a bit more care, we could have made it easier.

Second half, we allowed them back into the game, we gave them hope. Maybe we thought it was all done and dusted, and we got done from a set-play, which we weren't happy about.

It was similar to the game against Dagenham &Redbridge in the last round - we had to step it up and go and get another goal.

Kelvin Etuhu did well. He's not had many games, but I thought he looked bright and sharp enough - and he'll only get brighter and sharper. He can be pleased, and a bit more match sharpness and he could have got himself a goal.

Josh Magennis did score, and that'll do him the world of good. We'll keep his feet on the ground, don't worry. And it was good to see players like Gabor Gyepes, Steve McPhail, Riccy Scimeca and Aaron Wildig get some game time."

HOW THEY RATED BY SIMON KENDAL-WILLIAMS PETER ENCKELMAN A bystander before the break, not totally convincing thereafter and took a knock to the head. Little chance with Elliott's goal. 6 PAUL QUINN In his preferred right-back role and comfortable enough. Could maybe have been expected to get forward more, given Rovers' lack of cutting edge. 6 GABOR GYEPES Marshalled Kuffour well in his first start of the season, but will be disappointed not to have found the net from a host of headed chances. 6 ANTHONY GERRARD Solid enough and slotted in well with his new centre-half partner. Possible question marks over marking for Rovers' goal, though. 6 TONY CAPALDI Back after suspension, the Ulsterman gave a decent performance. Assured on the flank, but looked less confident when venturing inside. May face pressure from Kennedy for his place at Doncaster. 6 CHRIS BURKE Echo man of the match Enjoyed himself, particularly in the first half. A constant threat and created the second and third goals. Another shrewd Jones acquisition. 8 GAVIN RAE Looking better than ever this season, the Scot may not have carried the attacking threat of Sunday's Severnside derby, but anchored the midfield well. 7 STEPHEN McPHAIL (capt) Returning from injury, McPhail was his usual self - short, simple passes and plenty of workrate. Unlikely to start when Ledley comes back, though. 7 PETER WHITTINGHAM Proving the first few games of the season were no flash in the pan, Whitts was once again a bundle of energy and endeavour. The best form of his City career. 8 KELVIN ETUHU Should have got off the mark in the first half, but no faulting his work-rate or willingness to go for goal. Fears he could be another Eddie Johnson are unfounded. 7 MICHAEL CHOPRA Another game, another goal. On top of his game and infectious with his confidence. Shame he had to spoil it by becoming the first City player booked in their new home. 7 Substitutes: D Blake, M Comminges, M Kennedy, D Marshall (gk) Not used: R Scimeca (for Rae 72), J Magennis (for Etuhu 79), A Wildig (for Burke 87) Bristol Rovers: Evans; Regan, Elliot, Anthony, Hughes; Pipe (Reece 90), Campbell (c), Blizzard (Swallow 62), Lines; Duffy (Williams 69), Kuffour. Subs not used: Coles, Hunt, Richards, Kayford.

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CAPTION(S):

Peter Whittingham celebrates his goal with Michael Chopra Cardiff's Michael Chopra chips over Bristol Rovers keeper Rhys Evans to score the first goal of the match PICTURE: Huw Evans Agency