Coventry 2 Sunderland 1 - 06/08/2006
Coventry 2 Sunderland 1 - 06/08/2006
Coventry: Marshall, McNamee, Heath, Ward, Hall,Birchall (Thornton 74), Hughes, Doyle, McSheffrey (Whing 86),Adebola (Hutchison 67), John.
Subs Not Used: Steele, Tabb.
Booked: Hughes.
Goals: John 71, McSheffrey 78.
Sunderland: Alnwick, Delap, Cunningham, Caldwell,Danny Collins, Miller, Leadbitter (Kyle 80), Whitehead,Lawrence, Stephen Elliott, Murphy (Stead 76).
Subs Not Used: Ward, Wright, Robbie Elliott.
Booked: Lawrence.
Goals: Murphy 52.
Att: 22,366
Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).
Football 365
Coventry striker Gary McSheffrey underlined his growing reputation as he denied Niall Quinn a winning start as Sunderland manager.
McSheffrey rattled in 17 goals last season and has been the subject of transfer speculation all summer with Coca-Cola Championship rivals Birmingham having made a fourth bid for the 23-year-old.
McSheffrey took his place in the line-up after the Sky Blues successfully appealed against the red card he received in the pre-season friendly against Boavista.
He grabbed the winner with 12 minutes left. Coventry caught Sunderland napping in defence and McSheffrey took advantage to rifle the ball into the net with the help of a deflection.
Trinidad and Tobago international Stern John had hauled Coventry level seven minutes earlier, the striker curling home an excellent 18-yard effort via the underside of the crossbar.
It secured a fine come-from-behind victory after Daryl Murphy had opened the scoring for the Black Cats, under the guidance of Quinn for the first time, in the 52nd minute.
Grant Leadbitter had already fired a shot over the crossbar for the visitors when Murphy was guilty of squandering an excellent chance in the fourth minute.
Sunderland caught Coventry out with a quick throw-in and Tommy Miller's cross was headed over the bar from close range by Murphy.
Coventry created their first opening in the 12th minute and it nearly resulted in a goal. A long free-kick from David McNamee found its way to John in the penalty box, the striker poking the ball just wide.
That seemed to spark the Sky Blues into life and they came close again six minutes later. McSheffrey delivered a dangerous ball across the face of the Sunderland goal which just eluded John.
McSheffrey was a constant menace to Sunderland and just after the half-hour he hit the outside of the upright from an acute angle after creating some space in the box.
Only a super stop from goalkeeper Ben Alnwick prevented John from giving Coventry a half-time lead, the youngster keeping out the Trinidadian's effort from eight yards.
Murphy broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute after Coventry failed to clear a corner. When Stephen Elliott hooked the ball back across goal, Murphy - who this week signed a new five-year deal at the Stadium of Light - slid in to poke the ball home.
But John produced an exquisite finish with 19 minutes left and McSheffrey settled matters to the delight of the Ricoh Arena crowd.
CCFC
The Sky Blues kicked-off the 2006/2007 season off in perfect style with a hard-fought two one win over Niall Quinn's Sunderland.
City had to do it the hard way, coming from one nil down against the Black Cats but fine goals from Stern John and Gary McSheffrey ensured that it was a winning start for Micky Adams' men.
Micky Adams awarded starts to four new faces this afternoon. Former Ipswich and Millwall stopper Andy Marshall took his place between the sticks with fellow new boy Elliott Ward playing alongside Matt Heath in the centre of defence.
David McNamee began in the right back berth while Chris Birchall, who only signed late on Friday afternoon also made his first appearance for City on the right hand side of a midfield that also contained Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle and Gary McSheffrey.
Birchall's international team mate Stern John partnered Dele Adebola in attack but it was at the back where there were question marks for the Sky Blues as Daryl Murphy missed a gilt edged chance to give the visitors the lead in the fourth minute. Tommy Miller stole a yard on Marcus Hall and whipped in a dangerous cross but Murphy could not keep his header down and it sailed harmlessly over the bar.
In the twelfth minute Stern John went close with a header as a McNamee free-kick found the striker in the six yard box but he placed it wide.
The opening to the match had been quite frantic as both sides looked to get the season off to the best possible start but it was the Sky Blues who were becoming the stronger as the first half elapsed and another chance presented itself to John as McSheffrey did brilliantly on the right to flash in a low ball that John just failed to connect with.
Around the half our mark McSheffrey and the very lively looking Birchall swapped flanks and it nearly brought instant rewards as McSheffrey rattled the upright with a deflected shot from a tight angle.
With 52 on the clock disaster struck with the visitors grabbing the lead. With the ball sent into the box, Daryl Murphy found himself in enough space to stab the ball past Marshall, the 'keeper wrong footed as Murphy placed it into the far side of the goal.
The goal sparked three or four minutes of frenzied football which culminated in a 22-man brawl in the centre circle after new signing Chris Birchall found himself pole-axed.
Incensed that the visitors failed to put the ball out of play to allow the midfielder to receive treatment City captain was booked as referee Foy was finding it increasingly difficult to keep a lid on proceedings.
City were continuing to push for a way back into the game and on 63 Stern John looked to have weaved his way through the whole of Sunderland's backline before a last ditch tackle by Steven Caldwell denied him a shot at goal.
Micky Adams made his first change of the game with 22 left, the ex-Sunderland man Don Hutchison coming on against his former side in place of the hard-working Dele Adebola.
With 20 minutes remaining City hauled themselves back on level terms in the most spectacular of fashions.
World Cup star Stern John found himself in space on the edge of the Sunderland box before looking up and curling an inch-perfect effort in off the underside of the bar to sent the Ricoh crazy!
City's second change came on73 when highly rated youngster Kevin Thornton was sent on in place of debutant Chris Birchall, who received a standing ovation after an impressive first run-out for the Sky Blues.
Micky Adams' men had been pushing hard for a second and they duly delivered on 78 when Don Hutchison played a quick short free kick to Gary McSheffrey who surged into the box before firing into the goal to give City the lead.
Niall Quinn showed his intention to try and salvage a point from the afternoon's proceedings, throwing on the tall pairing of Jon Stead and Kevin Kyle upfront.
City made their third and final change with defender Andy Whing replacing Gary McSheffrey as the Sky Blues stood firm to hold onto all three points.
4thegame
Gary McSheffrey underlined why Birmingham are still trying to lure him away from the Ricoh Arena.
The Coventry City striker - subject of at least three bids from Birmingham boss Steve Bruce - struck with 12 minutes remaining to send Niall Quinn to defeat in his first game as Sunderland manager.
Coventry had already come from behind through a goal from Stern John after Daryl Murphy had given Sunderland the lead in the 52nd minute, and probably would have settled for a point.
But McSheffrey had other ideas. He collected a quickly taken free-kick from Don Hutchison, cut into the area and unleashed a shot which took a deflection on the way into the net.
It had looked as if Republic of Ireland international Murphy would make it a victorious start for the relegated Black Cats.
The 23-year-old striker capitalised on some poor home defending to slide in a goal which might have brought his reluctant manager three welcome points.
Quinn, who headed a consortium which bought Sunderland in the summer, kept a typically low profile in the dugout as his side took the lead.
The goal may not have been eye-catching but it was in keeping with the quality of the game.
Grant Leadbitter's 52nd-minute corner bobbled about inside the Coventry area before it was hooked back across the box allowing Murphy to get in front of his marker and beat Andy Marshall in the Coventry goal.
City were left appealing for handball but they had failed to deal with the flag-kick and could not have any complaints.
The Sky Blues' equalising goal underlined the class of John.
The Trinidad & Tobago international was expected to move on from the Ricoh after his exploits at the World Cup but no offer was forthcoming.
And how glad, on this evidence, City manager Micky Adams will be about that.
There was little on when John collected the ball on the edge of the area, but he turned and curled a sublime shot in past Ben Alnwick.
John could have added to his tally, but failed to convert two good chances, but at the other end Coventry coped comfortably and held on to take the points following McSheffrey's strike.
The subject of Birmingham's interest in McSheffrey dominated Adams' press conference.
"I only know what I read in the papers that a fourth bid is being prepared but Birmingham must get the gist," said Adams.
"When we say that he is not for sale they may realise that they will not get him.
"We have not received another bid since the one last week. He gets up and down, he gets shots and crosses in - we can't replace that and I am not thinking about it." About the result, the City boss added: "This was a great start for us. Sunderland began by knocking the ball around but after the first five minutes they didn't really hurt us." Quinn was disappointed to have begun his managerial career with a defeat, but was pleased with Sunderland's performance.
He said: "There is a fine bunch of players here who looked a class apart from Coventry at times. We looked like the home team in the first 70 minutes.
"There was nothing we could do about a world-class goal from Stern John and I thought there winner was a giveaway goal.
"I want to get a couple more players here in time for the Birmingham game on Wednesday and before the end of the transfer window I would like two top players fighting for every position."
Coventry: Marshall, McNamee, Heath, Ward, Hall,Birchall (Thornton 74), Hughes, Doyle, McSheffrey (Whing 86),Adebola (Hutchison 67), John.
Subs Not Used: Steele, Tabb.
Booked: Hughes.
Goals: John 71, McSheffrey 78.
Sunderland: Alnwick, Delap, Cunningham, Caldwell,Danny Collins, Miller, Leadbitter (Kyle 80), Whitehead,Lawrence, Stephen Elliott, Murphy (Stead 76).
Subs Not Used: Ward, Wright, Robbie Elliott.
Booked: Lawrence.
Goals: Murphy 52.
Att: 22,366
Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).
Football 365
Coventry striker Gary McSheffrey underlined his growing reputation as he denied Niall Quinn a winning start as Sunderland manager.
McSheffrey rattled in 17 goals last season and has been the subject of transfer speculation all summer with Coca-Cola Championship rivals Birmingham having made a fourth bid for the 23-year-old.
McSheffrey took his place in the line-up after the Sky Blues successfully appealed against the red card he received in the pre-season friendly against Boavista.
He grabbed the winner with 12 minutes left. Coventry caught Sunderland napping in defence and McSheffrey took advantage to rifle the ball into the net with the help of a deflection.
Trinidad and Tobago international Stern John had hauled Coventry level seven minutes earlier, the striker curling home an excellent 18-yard effort via the underside of the crossbar.
It secured a fine come-from-behind victory after Daryl Murphy had opened the scoring for the Black Cats, under the guidance of Quinn for the first time, in the 52nd minute.
Grant Leadbitter had already fired a shot over the crossbar for the visitors when Murphy was guilty of squandering an excellent chance in the fourth minute.
Sunderland caught Coventry out with a quick throw-in and Tommy Miller's cross was headed over the bar from close range by Murphy.
Coventry created their first opening in the 12th minute and it nearly resulted in a goal. A long free-kick from David McNamee found its way to John in the penalty box, the striker poking the ball just wide.
That seemed to spark the Sky Blues into life and they came close again six minutes later. McSheffrey delivered a dangerous ball across the face of the Sunderland goal which just eluded John.
McSheffrey was a constant menace to Sunderland and just after the half-hour he hit the outside of the upright from an acute angle after creating some space in the box.
Only a super stop from goalkeeper Ben Alnwick prevented John from giving Coventry a half-time lead, the youngster keeping out the Trinidadian's effort from eight yards.
Murphy broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute after Coventry failed to clear a corner. When Stephen Elliott hooked the ball back across goal, Murphy - who this week signed a new five-year deal at the Stadium of Light - slid in to poke the ball home.
But John produced an exquisite finish with 19 minutes left and McSheffrey settled matters to the delight of the Ricoh Arena crowd.
CCFC
The Sky Blues kicked-off the 2006/2007 season off in perfect style with a hard-fought two one win over Niall Quinn's Sunderland.
City had to do it the hard way, coming from one nil down against the Black Cats but fine goals from Stern John and Gary McSheffrey ensured that it was a winning start for Micky Adams' men.
Micky Adams awarded starts to four new faces this afternoon. Former Ipswich and Millwall stopper Andy Marshall took his place between the sticks with fellow new boy Elliott Ward playing alongside Matt Heath in the centre of defence.
David McNamee began in the right back berth while Chris Birchall, who only signed late on Friday afternoon also made his first appearance for City on the right hand side of a midfield that also contained Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle and Gary McSheffrey.
Birchall's international team mate Stern John partnered Dele Adebola in attack but it was at the back where there were question marks for the Sky Blues as Daryl Murphy missed a gilt edged chance to give the visitors the lead in the fourth minute. Tommy Miller stole a yard on Marcus Hall and whipped in a dangerous cross but Murphy could not keep his header down and it sailed harmlessly over the bar.
In the twelfth minute Stern John went close with a header as a McNamee free-kick found the striker in the six yard box but he placed it wide.
The opening to the match had been quite frantic as both sides looked to get the season off to the best possible start but it was the Sky Blues who were becoming the stronger as the first half elapsed and another chance presented itself to John as McSheffrey did brilliantly on the right to flash in a low ball that John just failed to connect with.
Around the half our mark McSheffrey and the very lively looking Birchall swapped flanks and it nearly brought instant rewards as McSheffrey rattled the upright with a deflected shot from a tight angle.
With 52 on the clock disaster struck with the visitors grabbing the lead. With the ball sent into the box, Daryl Murphy found himself in enough space to stab the ball past Marshall, the 'keeper wrong footed as Murphy placed it into the far side of the goal.
The goal sparked three or four minutes of frenzied football which culminated in a 22-man brawl in the centre circle after new signing Chris Birchall found himself pole-axed.
Incensed that the visitors failed to put the ball out of play to allow the midfielder to receive treatment City captain was booked as referee Foy was finding it increasingly difficult to keep a lid on proceedings.
City were continuing to push for a way back into the game and on 63 Stern John looked to have weaved his way through the whole of Sunderland's backline before a last ditch tackle by Steven Caldwell denied him a shot at goal.
Micky Adams made his first change of the game with 22 left, the ex-Sunderland man Don Hutchison coming on against his former side in place of the hard-working Dele Adebola.
With 20 minutes remaining City hauled themselves back on level terms in the most spectacular of fashions.
World Cup star Stern John found himself in space on the edge of the Sunderland box before looking up and curling an inch-perfect effort in off the underside of the bar to sent the Ricoh crazy!
City's second change came on73 when highly rated youngster Kevin Thornton was sent on in place of debutant Chris Birchall, who received a standing ovation after an impressive first run-out for the Sky Blues.
Micky Adams' men had been pushing hard for a second and they duly delivered on 78 when Don Hutchison played a quick short free kick to Gary McSheffrey who surged into the box before firing into the goal to give City the lead.
Niall Quinn showed his intention to try and salvage a point from the afternoon's proceedings, throwing on the tall pairing of Jon Stead and Kevin Kyle upfront.
City made their third and final change with defender Andy Whing replacing Gary McSheffrey as the Sky Blues stood firm to hold onto all three points.
4thegame
Gary McSheffrey underlined why Birmingham are still trying to lure him away from the Ricoh Arena.
The Coventry City striker - subject of at least three bids from Birmingham boss Steve Bruce - struck with 12 minutes remaining to send Niall Quinn to defeat in his first game as Sunderland manager.
Coventry had already come from behind through a goal from Stern John after Daryl Murphy had given Sunderland the lead in the 52nd minute, and probably would have settled for a point.
But McSheffrey had other ideas. He collected a quickly taken free-kick from Don Hutchison, cut into the area and unleashed a shot which took a deflection on the way into the net.
It had looked as if Republic of Ireland international Murphy would make it a victorious start for the relegated Black Cats.
The 23-year-old striker capitalised on some poor home defending to slide in a goal which might have brought his reluctant manager three welcome points.
Quinn, who headed a consortium which bought Sunderland in the summer, kept a typically low profile in the dugout as his side took the lead.
The goal may not have been eye-catching but it was in keeping with the quality of the game.
Grant Leadbitter's 52nd-minute corner bobbled about inside the Coventry area before it was hooked back across the box allowing Murphy to get in front of his marker and beat Andy Marshall in the Coventry goal.
City were left appealing for handball but they had failed to deal with the flag-kick and could not have any complaints.
The Sky Blues' equalising goal underlined the class of John.
The Trinidad & Tobago international was expected to move on from the Ricoh after his exploits at the World Cup but no offer was forthcoming.
And how glad, on this evidence, City manager Micky Adams will be about that.
There was little on when John collected the ball on the edge of the area, but he turned and curled a sublime shot in past Ben Alnwick.
John could have added to his tally, but failed to convert two good chances, but at the other end Coventry coped comfortably and held on to take the points following McSheffrey's strike.
The subject of Birmingham's interest in McSheffrey dominated Adams' press conference.
"I only know what I read in the papers that a fourth bid is being prepared but Birmingham must get the gist," said Adams.
"When we say that he is not for sale they may realise that they will not get him.
"We have not received another bid since the one last week. He gets up and down, he gets shots and crosses in - we can't replace that and I am not thinking about it." About the result, the City boss added: "This was a great start for us. Sunderland began by knocking the ball around but after the first five minutes they didn't really hurt us." Quinn was disappointed to have begun his managerial career with a defeat, but was pleased with Sunderland's performance.
He said: "There is a fine bunch of players here who looked a class apart from Coventry at times. We looked like the home team in the first 70 minutes.
"There was nothing we could do about a world-class goal from Stern John and I thought there winner was a giveaway goal.
"I want to get a couple more players here in time for the Birmingham game on Wednesday and before the end of the transfer window I would like two top players fighting for every position."
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 12:49 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home