Cardiff produced a stunning fightback to make it three wins from four against struggling Bristol City.
Whittingham the hero as Cardiff down Robins
Cardiff produced a stunning fightback to make it three wins from four against struggling Bristol City, who have recorded just one victory in their opening 11 matches of the season.
Peter Whittingham's brace was enough to secure a remarkable comeback for the home side, who trailed by two goals after just eight minutes of play.
The Bluebirds midfielder got his team back on level terms within the first minute of the second half, before scoring a superb free-kick 12 minutes from time, to consolidate his side's position in the top two of the Championship standings.
Keith Millen's side had turned the formbook upside down early in the first half by roaring into a two-goal lead in the first eight minutes thanks to efforts from on-loan Tottenham teenager Steve Caulker and Jon Stead, before Jay Bothroyd pulled one back for the home side.
Michael Chopra returned for Cardiff after a two-month lay-off due to ankle ligament damage, but there was no Craig Bellamy, who has ongoing knee trouble.
Flying start
New dad Danny Haynes returned for the visitors to partner Stead in attack, but it was defender Caulker who ensured the Robins made a flying start, rising highest at the far post to head home Jamie McAllister's left-wing cross in the sixth minute.
The visitors stunned the home faithful two minutes later when they doubled their lead from another set-piece.
Marvin Elliott headed on Cole Skuse's corner and when the ball broke to Stead six yards out the big striker lashed the ball into the top corner for his third goal of the season.
But in a storming start Bothroyd settled home nerves in the 12th minute, applying a clinical finish from 12 yards after collecting Chopra's ball into the penalty area.
Bothroyd forced a fine save from former England goalkeeper David James shortly before the break and Mark Hudson headed Whittingham's corner just over the crossbar.
But Cardiff were rewarded for their pressure just a minute into the second half thanks to a stunning effort from Whittingham, who rifled the ball into the bottom corner from 30 yards.
Threat
James pulled off another top-class save to keep out Chris Burke's close range effort, but the visitors still carried a threat on the counter-attack.
McAllister's 30-yard bullet was save tipped round the post by Cardiff goalkeeper Tom Heaton and Albert Adomah's angled shot was blocked by defender Gabor Gyepes.
Bothroyd volleyed wide from close range and Whittingham pulled his effort wide as Cardiff chased a third goal before the Robins responded again through midfielder Elliott, whose thumping drive was brilliantly kept out by Heaton.
But Cardiff maintained their momentum and edged their noses in front in the 78th minute.
Visiting skipper Louis Carey fouled Whittingham 25 yards from goal and the Cardiff midfielder picked himself up to curl the subsequent free-kick beyond the flailing James into the top corner.
Caulker then headed narrowly wide at the other end as the Robins tried to salvage a point, but despite Danny Rose's superb 30-yard volley, Cardiff closed the game out comfortably, with successive shots from substitute Jason Koumas blocked by visiting defender Liam Fontaine.
