Frustration, ecstacy, agony and sheer delight – in almost equal measures.
More than 30,000 spectators watched the Bluebirds earn a third successive win and lift themselves to 14th in the table – four points outside the relegation zone.
When the final whistle blew middle aged men in seats just in front of the press box were up and dancing, twirling to the music with their arms in the air.
They were oblivious to anything going pn around them apart from their delight at the win and the music.
City players on the pitch were absolutely thrilled and underlined that in the way they celebrated the victory.
There is no question Cardiff deserved to win, having outplayed their visitors in the first half and created enough chances to have won three matches.
Time and again they wasted opportunities by taking the wrong decision, but the style of football, their tenacious team spirit and the way Cardiff played was great to watch.
Frustration set in when Cardiff wasted too many chances and the goalless half-time scoreline was a surprise. Southampton most have been relieved.
Ecstasy followed when Callum Paterson scored a 74th minute goal to put Cardiff in front, while the agony of those last 15 minutes or so was intense.
Southampton suddenly looked capable of grabbing a goal and it is to Cardiff’s credit they saw the game out with a clean sheet on a wet and wild night at Cardiff City Stadium.
The wind swirled around the pitch, rain fell steadily and conditions made it far from easy for the players.
Cardiff fans sang, chanted and shouted their way through the match, firing up the atmosphere with 3,000 Saints fans trying their best to encourage their team.
“We should have made it more comfortable with the chances that we had,” said manager Neil Warnock. “I criticise referees a lot, but Jonathan Moss is probably the only official who would have played advantage like he did for the goal.
“Credit to him and I have to say a big thank you.
“It’s clear we are going to get most of our points at home. We’ve already surprised a lot of people, but we just need to keep our feet on the ground.”
Moss had a good game and his moment of quality came when Victor Camarasa was taken out by an awful challenge just as he played a pass through for Paterson. The referee stood over Camarasa, who was lying on the ground, ready to blow for the foul, but he watched how Cardiff’s attack developed.
Paterson’s power and pace took him away from Saints defenders and his low finish slid into the corner.
“I was very proud of the whole club ,” said Warnock. “They were horrendous conditions, but the noise level lifted us and spurred the players on.
“There is a long, hard winter to come. We don’t get carried away at a club like ours.
“But it’s a big advantage that the fans here are behind us 100 per cent. That takes so much pressure off players.
“It’s like my dad used to say at Sheffield United. These are working people and as fans they just want players who will give their all. We do that, there are no prima donnas and that’s all I can ask.”