Cardiff striker Meite gets backing after biting back at critics

Under fire Cardiff City striker Yakou Meite has been backed by interim boss Omer Riza after delivering an answer to critics at Coventry.

The Ivory Coast frontman scored his first goal of the season in the 2-2 draw with the Sky Blues – and his first in almost eight months.

The 28-year-old celebrated his early stooping header by putting his fingers to his lips, in what was perceived to be a silencing of the social media stick he has received during his goal drought.

With only three goals since signing last summer, the former Reading forward later posted himself, referencing the criticism, writing on X: "Some of you can still try to make me responsible for everything when it’s not going well, but I will always give 100% till the end with the smile on my face. Thanks for the support always."

And Bluebirds acting boss Riza threw his support behind Meite, saying he seized his chance with his performance in the stalemate against Frank Lampard’s side.

"I’m really happy for Yak," Riza said. "Sometimes things haven’t gone right for him, but he hasn’t once shirked responsibility or attitude or not shown character at any stage.

“Hopefully the fans can see what energies he’s put into the game because I thought he was one of our best players."

On the social media issue, Riza added: "I’m sure he’ll have read it, but for me what’s important is that we know our players, we know how hard they work, how hard they try.

“I think it was important for him to get the opportunity and I think he took it."

After a controversial late penalty denied Cardiff victory at the CBS Arena, Meite will hope for the chance to build on his goal – and seek his first at Cardiff City Stadium – when the Bluebirds host Watford on Saturday.