West Brom striker Rob Earnshaw was welcomed back to Cardiff

Rob Earnshaw is a former Ninian Park hero, while Darren Purse and Jason Koumas have only just left West Brom.

Kanu put Albion in front on 14 minutes, seizing on Toni Koskela's poor backpass to slot past Tony Warner.

The visitors' win was made safe in the 71st minute when Thomas Gaardsoe added a second, tapping home after Zoltan Gera had flicked-on a corner.

The game began with a standing ovation for Earnshaw from the Bluebirds fans, showing their appreciation for the service he gave before last year's switch to the Hawthorns.

"It was nice to be back at Ninian Park - that was special, the ovation, the fans were great," Earnshaw told BBC Wales.

"As soon as I stepped on the pitch there were tingles, I was almost a little bit nervous."

It wasn't for me to score today Rob Earnshaw

Although Kanu made the most of a blunder, the general level of defensive work from both sides was high.

Thomas Gaardsoe and Neil Clement were efficient at the back for West Brom, while Purse also looked steady at the other end.

The Bluebirds' fans must have been warmed by the assured performance of their new �850,000 central defender, who came close to scoring late in the half when his header went narrowly wide of Tomasz Kuszczak's post.

In the second half Earnshaw came close to a memorable goal, his curled free-kick hitting the bar as more chances came and went.

"As soon as I hit it I thought it was going in, but it wasn't for me to score today," Earnshaw added.

"It's all about getting the fitness in and peaking in two weeks' time."

Kuszczak was called into action to save Andrea Ferretti's long-range drive after Gera was denied at the other end by Neil Alexander.

Diomansy Kamara came off the bench to make his Albion debut, while Koumas - loaned out by West Brom to Cardiff for a year - was also introduced to the fray.

Gera was unlucky to see his free-kick 'goal' disallowed for offside, but the victory was complete when Gaardsoe added West Brom's second.