Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Coventry 1 Luton 0 - 30/01/2007

Coventry 1 Luton 0 - 30/01/2007

Coventry City: Luke Steele, Marcus Hall, Andrew Whing, David McNamee, Isaac Osbourne (Kevin Thornton 72), Christopher Birchall (Leon McKenzie 63), Jay Tabb, Stephen Hughes, Dele Adebola (Kevin Kyle 63), Michael Mifsud, Colin Hawkins
Subs not used: Arran Lee-Barrett, Adam Virgo
Booked: David McNamee 81, Kevin Kyle 89, Colin Hawkins 90
Goals: McKenzie 76

Luton Town: Dean Brill, Sol Davis, Kevin Foley, Lewis Emanuel (Adam Boyd 82), Russell Perrett, Dean Morgan, Keith Keane, Steve Robinson, David Bell, Matthew Spring, Andrew Talbot
Subs not used: Steven O'Leary, Zach Barrett, Richard Langley, Asafu-Adjaye

Attendance: 18781
Referee: M Clattenburg

Teamtalk
Leon McKenzie's deflected 75th-minute goal earned Coventry a 1-0 home win over Luton, the Sky Blues' first victory in eight Championship games.

The substitute striker had been on the field little more than 15 minutes before making the telling contribution at the Ricoh Arena, having time to turn inside the box following great work from fellow sub Kevin Thornton, before his shot deflected off Hatters defender Russ Perrett and past the off-balance Dean Brill.

It was no more than the home side deserved after a much-improved second-half performance, with both sides failing to sparkle in a first half short on chances.

Luton, themselves without a league win in five, came closest to taking an early lead.

Barely a minute had passed before a Coventry defence which had conceded 14 goals in their previous five games showed signs of vulnerability, with Andrew Whing making a hash of Luton skipper Steve Robinson's lofted free-kick.

But Morgan failed to capitalise, hooking his shot from the right-hand side of the box agonisingly wide of the left post.

Sky Blues skipper Robert Page and vice-captain Michael Doyle were both left out of the 16 following last week's training-ground bust-up.

Both sides looked unsurprisingly short of firepower having both sold their top scorers - Luton's Rowan Vine signing for Birmingham and Coventry's Stern John joining Sunderland - during the transfer window.

Coventry right-back David McNamee's delightful one-two with Dele Adebola down the right channel developed an opening after 15 minutes.

The hesitant Hatters defence backed off giving McNamee, 20 yards out, time to pick his spot, but he elected to square the ball and the move broke down.

Soon afterwards Adebola's clever turn enabled him to roll his defender, but rather than shooting he again opted to pass, much to the home fans' frustration, before Jay Tabb's cross was cleared to safety.

Coventry resorted to long-ball tactics, a punt from defence which almost found Adebola stirring the sullen supporters from their slumber.

But the Sky Blues were much improved in the final quarter, with Coventry caretaker-manager Adrian Heath reaping the rewards for his double substitution.

Kevin Kyle replaced Dele Adebola and Chris Birchall was swapped for McKenzie, whose arrival sparked a big cheer among the home fans.

It was Kyle who almost made an immediate impact when the ball fell to him on the edge of the area, but the Scot dragged his shot wide of the right post.

Luton, 20 years without a win at Coventry, served a reminder that Coventry still had a contest on their hands, with Matthew Spring heading Morgan's cross inches over the right-angle of Luke Steele's crossbar.

But McKenzie pounced with 15 minutes left on the clock, much to the relief of the home support.

Thornton almost turned creator 10 minutes later when his free-kick found the unmarked Marcus Hall, whose header was somehow saved by Brill.

Lacklustre Luton, now 11 without a win on their travels, only began to turn the screw during a nervous five minutes of injury-time for the home fans, but City held on for a welcome victory.

CCFC
Leon McKenzie came off the bench to score the only goal of the game and earn Coventry their first win in 10 matches.

Michael Mifsud made his full Coventry City debut, partnering Dele Adebola up front in his first City start, after Stern John's departure to Sunderland.

There was also a debut for new centre-back Colin Hawkins, who replaced Robert Page, while Isaac Osbourne was named in the starting XI in place of Michael Doyle.

Luton made the early running and Hawkins was forced into a couple of timely interventions as well as playing a neat ball out of defence which nearly set Mifsud free. The Irishman showed a no-nonsense attitude which will be welcome as City try to turn their poor form around.

City gradually started to stamp their authority on the game and David McNamee was proving to be a useful attacking outlet, at one point creating a shooting opportunity from 20 yards after a powerful run through the middle, only to be let down by a lack of left foot.

With 30 minutes gone neither side had created a genuine chance and it was clear that both teams were lacking in confidence. Luton sat three points below the Sky Blues at kick-off and were in need of a win just as much as City who were looking to end a run of nine matches without a victory.

Adebola got City's first shot on target in the 42nd minute, although his tame effort was easily gathered by Hatters keeper Dean Brill.

Adrian Heath will have been happy with City's first half defensive display but will presumably have encouraged his charges to show more as an attacking outlet in the second period.

In the 63rd minute, with little change in the flow of the match, Heath made two changes, bringing on Kevin Kyle for Adebola who had picked up a knock and Leon McKenzie for the quiet Chris Birchall.

The two new introductions had an instant impact, linking well 20 yards from goal only for Kyle to pull his shot badly wide. The Scotsman had another attempt, this time from much closer in, which forced Brill into action as City enjoyed their first prolonged spell of pressure in the game as the 70th minute ticked by.

With 73 minutes gone Kevin Thornton replaced Osbourne who had done a good job in midfield, keeping hold of possession neatly and providing the back four with protection.

And it was the youngster who started the move for the winning goal, putting his foot on the ball 25 yards out, before playing a ball out to Mifsud who showed great vision to turn down a shooting opportunity and instead play a throughball into McKenzie's feet. The substitute's shot lacked power but deflected past Brill to give Coventry a 76th minute lead, much to the delight of the Sky Blue Army.

With seven minutes remaining Marcus Hall nearly doubled City's advantage with an excellent downward header at the far post from Thornton's free-kick, but Brill produced a brilliant save to keep Luton in it.

The visitors put the Sky Blues under some severe pressure towards the end, but City defended stoutly to ensure the Hatters could not get through and hold out for a much-needed three points.

4thegame
Coventry earned their first win in ten games to improve caretaker manager Adrian Heath's chances of getting the job permanently.

The omens did not appear bright in the build-up to this game against fellow strugglers Luton Town as the Sky Blues played at home for the first time since Micky Adams was sacked a fortnight ago.

With leading scorer Stern John sold earlier this week to Sunderland and captain Robert Page and Michael Doyle deemed not in the right state of mind to play following last week's training ground bust-up, Heath looked to his players to give the club a much-needed pick-me-up.

Instead a desperately poor first half was served up for their long-suffering fans as neither keeper was fully tested in an awful advert for Championship football.

Luton, who were decimated by injuries, created the first chance within the opening minute. Sol Davis lofted a free-kick from the halfway line into the box, and when Andrew Whing failed to cut out the danger, striker Dean Morgan sent a shot from an acute angle flashing wide of the far post.

David McNamee attempted to inject some life into the home team's play when he ran half the length of the field only to be crowded out by defenders as his shot from the edge of the area was blocked.

At the other end Colin Hawkins - returning to the club he left a decade ago - was able to monitor Morgan without too much fuss.

Whing's long punt was headed back towards keeper Dean Brill by defender Keith Keane and Dele Adebola latched onto the ball but the 21-year-old was alert to the danger.

After the break, the Sky Blues went in search of a breakthrough when Chris Birchall's 46th minute strike was blocked.

The tempo of the game remained downbeat although the home team did finally to start to show some attacking instincts.

Adebola released strike partner Michael Mifsud and when he exchanged passes with captain Stephen Hughes, the Maltese striker fired in a low 15-yard shot wide of a post.

Heath threw on Kevin Kyle and Leon McKenzie in the 63rd minute for Birchall and Adebola and Kevin Thornton followed for Isaac Osbourne nine minutes later as the home team tried desperately to find a way past Luton.

Mike Newell's men had a chance when Lewis Emanuel's cross was headed over the bar by new signing Matthew Spring on his return to the club he left for Leeds.

The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute. Thornton's pass reached McKenzie inside the box and his 10-yard shot took a deflection off defender Russ Perrett to deceive the keeper and land in the net for his fifth goal of the season.

Heath said: "There were a few pleasing things but it was not the most entertaining of games. But I think we had worked so hard over the past 10 or 12 days on not conceding goals that we never really got going as a forward unit in the first hour.

"After that we started to look a little like our old selves and I have spoken to the lads about the fact that this is a squad game.

"I thought the three subs came on and changed the game and were the difference." Newell said: "We are bitterly disappointed - we worked very hard with only a patched up side and I just could not fault their effort.

"They will not go too far wrong if they keep competing like that. There was not a lot in the game and it was a soft goal - it was a fluke!"

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Plymouth 3 Coventry 2 - 22/01/2007

Plymouth 3 Coventry 2 - 22/01/2007

Plymouth Argyle: Luke McCormick, Gary Sawyer, Hasney Aljofree, Paul Connolly, Marcel Seip, David Norris, Akos Buzsaky (Sylvan Ebanks-Blake 81), Peter Halmosi (Scott Sinclair 76), Lilian Nalis, Barry Hayles (Rory Fallon 81), Kevin Gallen
Subs not used: Lee Hodges, Luke Summerfield
Booked: Gary Sawyer 90, Hasney Aljofree 73
Goals: Gallen 18, Buzsaky 32, Hayles 48

Coventry City: Luke Steele, Marcus Hall, Andrew Whing, Robert Page, David McNamee, Christopher Birchall (Kevin Thornton 62), Stephen Hughes, Jay Tabb (Michael Mifsud 61), Michael Doyle, Dele Adebola, Stern John
Subs not used: Arran Lee-Barrett, Kevin Kyle, Adam Virgo
Booked: Andrew Whing 33, Robert Page 4, Michael Doyle 36, Dele Adebola 75, Kevin Thornton 88
Goals: Birchall 22, Mifsud 70

Attendance: 9841
Referee: S Tanner

Teamtalk
A Barry Hayles-inspired Plymouth defeated Coventry 3-2 and showed that life without Micky Adams promises to be no easier following his sacking.

After a 15-minute delay due to floodlight failure, Ian Holloway's Argyle side were gifted first-half goals for Kevin Gallen and Akos Buzsaky by shocking City defending before Hayles curled home a superb third after the break.

Chris Birchall's tap-in kept the Sky Blues in touch at the interval, but despite a first goal in English football for recent signing Michael Mifsud to reduce the arrears, Argyle held on for a deserved three points from an entertaining encounter.

In cold and blustery conditions, the home side produced what little good football there was early on and they gained their reward in the 18th minute when they took the lead.

Robert Page and Marcus Hall failed comically to deal with a routine long ball, allowing Hayles to steal in and pass to strike partner Gallen who turned inside and slotted home via the weak outstretched arm of goalkeeper Luke Steele.

But Coventry, led for the first time by caretaker manager Adrian Heath, were level four minutes later when Stern John's floated cross-field ball found Jay Tabb, who crossed for Birchall to stab home from close range under pressure.

Dele Adebola had a chance to put City ahead in the 27th minute after a great run and through ball from David McNamee, but Luke McCormick was off his line quickly to avert the danger.

Argyle made the most of that let-off to retake the lead in the 32nd minute.

Hungarian midfielder Buzsaky seemed to be going nowhere as he dribbled wide on the edge of the area before cutting back inside.

But the City defence failed to put in a meaningful challenge, allowing him to fire into Steele's bottom-left corner from 20 yards.

If the Sky Blues were hoping the interval would bring a change in fortunes they were sadly mistaken, as Hayles made it three less than three minutes into the second half.

Collecting the ball on the left angle of the Coventry box, the veteran picked his spot and curled a delightful effort into the far corner beyond Steele's despairing dive.

Hayles was inches from making it four in the 65th minute when he headed David Norris' outstanding right-wing cross wide from 10 yards.

But out of nowhere City were handed a lifeline in the 70th minute when substitute Mifsud lashed home a fantastic first-time volley on the full after Argyle failed to clear a right-sided free-kick - the Maltese winger's first goal for the club.

Moments later, the visitors were almost level when another substitute, Kevin Thornton, forced McCormick into an athletic parry with a deflected 25-yard free-kick.

Argyle gave a 10-minute debut to record signing Rory Fallon but he had little chance to shine as his new team held on.

CCFC
The Sky Blues go down 3-2 to Plymouth Argyle in a thrilling encounter in front of the Sky cameras. A first Coventry goal for Michael Mifsud was not enough to condemn City to defeat at Home Park.

On a cold evening on the south coast, the Sky Blues found themselves 1-0 down when Kevin Gallen hit a low shot past Steele on 18 minutes. Minutes later Chris Birchall levelled the score with a simple tap in after good work from Jay Tabb and Stern John. Coventry then fell behind again when Akos Buzsaky hit a great shot from the edge of the penalty area to make the score 2-1 in favour of Plymouth.

Minutes after the restart the Pilgrims took a 3-1 lead through Barry Hayles and with 20 minutes left on the clock Mifsud hit a delightful volley to give the Sky Blues hope but it was not enough to claim a draw.

Caretaker boss Adrian Heath made four changes to the side that lost against Bristol City.

David McNamee returned to the Coventry side after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since October, the former Livingston player replaced Ben Turner. The change saw McNamee come in at right-back and Marcus Hall switch to centre-back alongside Robert Page. Andrew Whing played at left-back.

Stephen Hughes replaced Isaac Osbourne in central midfield and Birchall came in for the injured Leon McKenzie, who is suffering from a slight thigh strain.

Up front for the Sky Blues was the pairing of Stern John and Dele Adebola, the combination saw Kevin Kyle drop to the bench.

Michael Mifsud returned to the bench after being ineligible for the cup tie against the Robins.

With the match being delayed by 15 minutes due to power failure it was taking both sides a while to get into the game but the first attempt at goal went in the way of Plymouth. Former Sky Blue Lilian Nalis hit a long range effort wide with 11 minutes on the clock.

Seven minutes later the Sky Blues went 1-0 nil down when debutant Gallen found the back of the net with a weak shot which somehow went under the body of keeper Luke Steele. The former QPR player was picked out by striker Barry Hayles who turned and found Gallen on the edge of the six-yard box.

Minutes later City were level when John found Jay Tabb with a beautiful cross field ball, Tabb picked out Birchall with a square pass across the penalty area and the Trinidad and Tobago international coolly slotted the ball home from six yards out.

The match was beginning to liven up and flow nicely from end to end before Adebola went close on 27 minutes when McNamee charged forwards from defence and found Adebola with an acute through ball but the pass just had too much weight on it which the goalkeeper comfortably dealt with on the edge of the area.

Disaster struck for City on 32 minutes when Buzsaky finished with aplomb from the edge of penalty area. The Hungarian international had plenty of time and space to pick his spot and made no mistake with a low shot to the left of Steele.

The referee was beginning to get somewhat card happy when he booked Whing and Doyle in quick succession. Plymouth were beginning to take the game by the scruff of the neck and nearly took a 3-1 lead when Buzsaky dispossessed Page and consequently found Gallen but the striker could only fire his shot over the bar on 41 minutes.

Moments later Birchall nearly levelled the score when he forced McCormick into a great save, the midfielder struck a fierce shot which forced the shot stopper into a diving save.

The Sky Blues began the second half badly when Hayles made the score 3-1 to the Pilgrims after two minutes of the restart. Some neat build up play from Plymouth and in particular Buzsaky found the striker who struck a fantastic shot from the edge of the penalty area into the top right hand corner which left Steele could do nothing about.

The goal prompted Adrian Heath into making a double substitution with Mifsud and Thornton replacing Tabb and Birchall on 62 minutes. City were beginning to feel the force of Ian Holloway's men and Hayles came close to getting his second of the evening when he headed wide of goal after escaping his marker.

A comeback was on the cards when Mifsud bagged his first goal for Coventry City with 20 minutes left on the clock. The Maltese striker struck a fine volley from just inside the area to make it 3-2. The diminutive player had been a constant threat and reaped his reward with the sweet strike.

The double substitution was certainly proving to be inspired one when Thornton went agonisingly close with a long range free-kick on 74 minutes. The match was getting lively and Norris forced Steele into a point blank save after Plymouth counter attack.

Ian Holloway handed debuts to Rory Fallon and Scott Sinclair respectively on 76 and 81 minutes in place of Halmosi and Buzsaky.

A late rally from Coventry came and went but there was no way through a resilient Plymouth defence.

4thegame
Plymouth Argyle held off a strong fight back from Coventry to inflict defeat on Sky Blues caretaker-manager Adrian Heath in his first game in charge.

Goals from home debutant Kevin Gallen, Hungary playmaker Akos Buzsaky and veteran striker Barry Hayles were enough to see Argyle take a clear lead, even though visiting midfielder Chris Birchall had briefly levelled Gallen's opener.

A late goal from Malta international striker Michael Mifsud just minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute reduced Coventry's arrears to just a single goal and a free-kick from Kevin Thornton was brilliantly saved by Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick to ensure the three points went to Plymouth.

The victory lifted Argyle to 11th in the Championship with a FA Cup fourth round visit to League Two Barnet to come at the weekend.

Holloway started with Hayles and Gallen up front, keeping out record £300,000 signing Rory Fallon and on-loan Chelsea starlet Scott Sinclair.

And it was Hayles' persistence that set up Gallen for a left-foot shot that opened the scoring.

Almost immediately, Stern John crossed for Jay Tabb to tee up Birchall for a tap-in to level matters despite the best efforts of Hasney Aljofree to keep the ball out.

Coventry-born Argyle goalkeeper McCormick then denied recalled forward Dele Adebola before Buzsaky made Coventry pay by wriggling free on the edge of the box and spearing home a low left-foot drive.

Three minutes into the second half, Buzsaky, Paul Connolly and Gallen combined to set up Hayles, who netted a sublime chip from 25 yards that caught Coventry goalkeeper Luke Steele off his line.

A fine volleyed goal by Mifsud gave Coventry hope and, only a fantastic save from McCormick after Thornton's long-range free-kick had been deflected by Connolly's attempted headed clearance, kept Argyle ahead.

Plymouth Argyle boss Ian Holloway said: "Barry (Hayles) is a born winner. If it's tiddlywinks, he wants to win and I think he is showing that. I don't know what I would do without him.

"It was not the best of conditions, but I thought my lads were superb." Coventry caretaker-manager Adrian Heath added: "I couldn't ask any more from the players. It was just sloppy goals and individual errors which cost us again as they have been doing.

"A lot of the players out there showed the desire to win. It is dispiriting but we need to pick ourselves up."

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Coventry 2 Crystal Palace 4 - 13/01/2007

Coventry 2 Crystal Palace 4 13/01/2007

Coventry City: Luke Steele, Marcus Hall, Andrew Whing, Robert Page, Adam Virgo (Christopher Birchall 45), Isaac Osbourne, Jay Tabb, Stephen Hughes, Leon McKenzie (Michael Mifsud 71), Stern John, Kevin Kyle
Subs not used: Ben Turner, Dele Adebola, Arran Lee-Barrett
Booked: Robert Page 23
Goals: McKenzie 45, Kyle 57

Crystal Palace: Scott Flinders, Darren Ward, Mark Hudson, Leon Cort, Matthew Lawrence, Carl Fletcher, Jobi McAnuff, Mark Kennedy, Stuart Green (Tom Soares 75), Dougie Freedman (Paul Ifill 66), Shefki Kuqi
Subs not used: Clinton Morrison, David Wilkinson, Danny Butterfield
Goals: Fletcher 19, Kuqi 27, Cort 28, McAnuff 39

Attendance: 16582
Referee: G Laws

Teamtalk
Coventry boss Micky Adams faces an uncertain future after his side's first-half capitulation in a miserable 4-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace.

City, now seven games without a win, were ravaged inside 20 first half minutes, as Carl Fletcher, Shefki Kuqi, Leon Cort and the outstanding Jobi McAnuff netted for the merciless Eagles.

Leon McKenzie pulled one back for Coventry on the stroke of half-time and Kevin Kyle netted in an improved second-half performance, but the defeat left Adams' position at the club under serious threat.

Coventry had been the brighter side in the opening exchanges and Palace were caught off guard when Jay Tabb broke down the left flank at pace and flicked the ball to Marcus Hall, who crossed for Stern John to send a right-footed volley inches wide of the post.

McKenzie's trickery and good close control caused Palace's Matthew Lawrence problems and the home defence had been untroubled when a ball from McAnuff picked out the advancing Fletcher.

City were caught flat-footed at the back and Fletcher struck a shot from just inside the penalty area that beat Coventry goalkeeper Luke Steele and found the bottom corner of the net.

Invigorated after taking the lead, Palace continued to break quickly and City's afternoon worsened when defender Stephen Hughes failed to deal with Mark Kennedy's corner and Kuqi's weak header looped over the head of Steele and into the net.

The Palace attack showed no signs of easing the mounting pressure on Adams and, after a great piece of skill on the left, McAnuff left Tabb grounded and crossed to Cort who netted with simple header for 3-0.

McAnuff made it four when he ghosted into the box and met Dougie Freedman's cross with a simple header past Steele and there were few smiles on the faces of Coventry players or supporters when McKenzie was teed up by Tabb to slot home and make it 4-1.

Adams' only half-time change saw Adam Virgo replaced by Chris Birchall but Coventry showed few signs of improvement early in the second half.

Stuart Green's snapshot from 20 yards almost caught Steele off guard and the goalkeeper could only parry away to safety.

Slowly Coventry's midfield began to come to life and, with 12 minutes played in the second half, Kyle pulled a second goal back for the Sky Blues.

It was a cross from the right from McKenzie, who had looked dangerous earlier in the first half, that allowed Kyle to direct a header low into the net from close range and give the home side slim hopes of a comeback.

City's fans even mustered some enthusiasm as they sensed the possibility of a dramatic turnaround, while Palace boss Peter Taylor introduced new signing Paul Ifill in place of Freedman for the final 25 minutes.

Adams brought of McKenzie and sent of Michael Mifsud as he urged his side forward, but the Palace defence had locked the gates and restricted City to a speculative 25-yard volley over the crossbar from Tabb.

Ifill looked lively but was closely marked by Page and Palace appeared to be tiring with 10 minutes remaining.

Coventry's Andrew Whing tested Flinders' reactions with a volley from 18 yards but found the goalkeeper alert to the danger, as he was to Mifsud's low drive from 25 yards moments later, and he ensured Palace held their two-goal lead and all three points.

CCFC
The Sky Blues conceded three goals in the space of nine first half minutes on the way to a disappointing home defeat to Crystal Palace.

Carl Fletcher, Shefki Kuqi, Leon McCort and Jobi McAnuff netted in the opening period and strikes from Leon McKenzie and Kevin Kyle either side of the break were not enough for the Sky Blues.

Marcus Hall returned to the team at left-back while Jay Tabb replaced the injured Colin Cameron on the right-hand side of midfield, while Stephen Hughes started in the middle of the park for the suspended Michael Doyle. Up front, Stern John replaced Dele Adebola, with new signing Michael Mifsud starting on the bench.

City started confidently, passing the ball around smartly and keeping the visitors on the back foot, without really testing goalkeeper Scott Flinders although a great move in the ninth minute almost gave the Sky Blues the lead with Hall whipping in a delightful low cross that John got a flick onto, only for his effort to go narrowly wide of the far post.

But in the 19th minute Palace went ahead with their first shot on goal as Fletcher burst through the middle and managed to reach the ball before Virgo, to stab his shot past Luke Steele, who got something on it but could not prevent the ball from going on.

Two minutes later and City were unfortunate not to be on level terms when Kyle rose to head an accurate McKenzie cross onto the crossbar.

But in the 26th minute Palace went 2-0 up through Kuqi, who responded quickest to a fine point blank save by Steele after Virgo had headed towards his own goal, and headed into the roof of the net. And it took just another two minutes for the Eagles to go three up, this time Leon Cort heading Jobi McAnuff's cross home, with City's defence at sixes and sevens.

It was a remarkable turnaround as the Sky Blues had bossed the vast majority of the opening 20 minutes, but once again raised serious question marks about the strength of City's defence, which shipped three goals in seven minutes last week and three in nine today.

It really looked like it wasn't Coventry's day when Kyle hit the woodwork again with ten minutes remaining in the first half, this time connecting with a Hughes corner.

And once again, City's fragility was exposed when Palace broke upfield rapidly and McAnuff headed a fourth from a precise Stuart Green cross.

Just before half time McKenzie pulled a goal back for the Sky Blues to give them some glimmer of hope. They had shown an ability to battle back last week at Ashton Gate and would have to demonstrate even greater resolve if they were to get their way out of this mess.

At the interval Micky Adams brought Chris Birchall on for Virgo who had really struggled to come to terms with the pace of the game. It meant a re-shuffle with Birchall coming in at right-back, Whing swapping to the left and Marcus Hall slotting into the centre of the rearguard.

And in the 56th minute, Kyle pulled another one back for the Sky Blues, heading home from McKenzie's ball into the six yard box, for a goal that the Scotsman definitely deserved after his poor luck in the opening 45.

With 20 minutes left on the clock Adams made another switch, bringing on new boy Mifsud for McKenzie. He instantly showed a calmness in possession allied with a good touch as City looked for another goal.

Whing tested Flinders with an acrobatic scissor kick from 18 yards before Kyle did well to nod a deep cross back into the six-yard box only for there to be no teammate available to tap the ball in.

Mifsud then had a decent shot from all of 30 yards which Flinders gathered well.

On the positive side, City battled well after going four goals down, but the priority for Micky Adams and the players will be to eradicate the defensive errors which can see the Sky Blues go from a team in control to one trailing heavily in such a short space of time.

4thegame
Coventry City's dreadful form continued as they slipped to another defeat thanks to a disastrous opening 45 minutes which saw them concede four goals against Crystal Palace.

Carl Fletcher, Shefki Kuqi, Leon Cort and Jobi McAnuff did the damage as the Eagles threatened to run riot.

Leon McKenzie and Kevin Kyle scored what turned out to be consolations as Coventry put in a vastly improved second-half performance.

But it was too little too late as the south London side secured back-to-back victories in the league for the first time this season.

Coventry started the brighter of the two sides forcing three corners in the first seven minutes.

But it was Palace who took the lead with their first real effort on goal in the 18th minute.

The Eagles' captain Fletcher played a one-two with McAnuff before despatching a shot which flew beyond goalkeeper Luke Steele's despairing dive.

The Sky Blues almost gave an instant response as Marcus Hall delivered another excellent ball from the left, but Kyle directed his header on to the post and it bounced to safety.

Without a win since the beginning of December, the goal against the run of play clearly affected Coventry's confidence as the away side started to dominate.

Palace doubled their lead in the 26th minute as Mark Kennedy's cross was almost put into his own net by on-loan Celtic player Adam Virgo. His header was parried by Steele, but Kuqi was on hand to put the ball into an empty net.

Things went from bad to worse for Coventry as they went 3-0 down two minutes later. This time McAnuff easily beat Jay Tabb on the left before delivering an inch-perfect cross for defender Cort to head home.

With Coventry fans starting to chant "what a load of rubbish" the Sky Blues almost responded in the 36th minute as a Stephen Hughes corner was headed on to the angle of post and bar by the unlucky Kyle, with the ball rebounding into the grateful arms of keeper Scott Flinders.

But just as the home fans thought things could not get any worse - it did. This time Fletcher broke down the right and his cross was headed home by McAnuff, who beat Andrew Whing to the ball.

Coventry finally did respond in the 44th minute as Tabb fed the on-rushing McKenzie, who coolly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper.

A half-time rollicking by Sky Blues manager Micky Adams did the trick as Coventry came out firing on all cylinders in the second half.

They were rewarded in the 57th minute as McKenzie's cross found Kyle whose header this time nestled in the corner of the net.

With the fans now behind them, Coventry grew in confidence and Tabb and substitute Chris Birchall both went close with long-range efforts, but the damage had already been done in the opening 45 minutes.

Palace manager Peter Taylor said: "I think our first-half performance was the best away from home that we have produced all season.

"Coventry started the better side, but we got into our stride and scored four excellent goals that were all very well taken.

"Give Coventry credit, the came back well from 4-0 down, but my players did brilliantly and I am delighted for them." Sky Blues boss Micky Adams added: "It is a definite possibility that I will try to bring in a defender and I will speak to the chairman and the board as soon as I can.

"Elliott Ward is out injured and we are missing him so bringing someone in has to be a possibility.

"We were undone by individual errors which you can never legislate for and to be fair we never gave up and kept going."

Monday, January 01, 2007

Leeds 2 Coventry 1 - 01/01/2007

Leeds 2 Coventry 1 - 01/01/2007

Leeds United: Neil Sullivan, Robbie Elliott, Hayden Foxe, Manuel Rui Marques, Eddie Lewis, Frazer Richardson (Ian Westlake 61), Kevin Nicholls, Jonathon Douglas, Robert Blake (Jonathan Howson 75), David Healy, Ian Moore (Tresor Kandol 73)
Subs not used: Sebastien Carole, Tony Warner
Booked: Kevin Nicholls 54, Jonathon Douglas 68
Goals: Healy 15, Douglas 53

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Elliott Ward, Andrew Whing (Darren Currie 69), Robert Page, Isaac Osbourne, Christopher Birchall (Leon McKenzie 55), Jay Tabb (Dele Adebola 56), Michael Doyle, Kevin Kyle, Adam Virgo
Subs not used: Colin Cameron, Stern John
Booked: Andrew Whing 27, Robert Page 13, Kevin Kyle 65
Goals: Virgo 43

Attendance: 18158
Referee: M Pike

Teamtalk
A new year gave new hope to Leeds as Jonathon Douglas' winning strike in a 2-1 win over Coventry breathed new life into their relegation fight.

The midfielder chose the perfect moment to score his first goal of the season with a 53rd-minute strike which handed the fallen giants three precious points.

David Healy's 15th-minute opener was cancelled out by Adam Virgo on the stroke of half-time but Leeds showed impressive character to grind out victory.

It was a first win in eight games for Dennis Wise's men, who went into the game on the back of a disastrous seven-match sequence which yielded just two points.

With further additions set to be made to their squad during the transfer window, Leeds at least now have hope that relegation to the third tier for the first time in their history can be avoided.

They remain in deep trouble in the relegation zone but there was a resilience about Wise's men in the second half that should serve them well in the coming months.

The Leeds boss swung the axe in the wake of his side's recent run and most notable among his changes were the inclusion of Robbie Elliott and Neil Sullivan.

Elliott was handed a debut at left-back following his arrival from Sunderland while Sullivan returned in goal in place of Tony Warner.

A line-up which included Healy, Robbie Blake and Ian Moore offered Leeds plenty of attacking impetus and Coventry came under pressure from the first whistle.

In the second minute, Douglas dispossessed Marcus Hall and raced to the byline before cutting a dangerous low ball across the face of goal.

No Leeds player was on hand to profit but the breakthrough arrived with 15 minutes played.

An Eddie Lewis corner from the right was flicked on and found its way to the unmarked Healy at the far post.

The Ulsterman, who has been linked with a move to Premiership sides Charlton and Wigan, collected possession and cleverly engineered the space to rifle a low shot into the far corner.

It was Healy's first goal in seven games and just the start Leeds needed.

Coventry's first real attacking threat came in the 18th minute when Virgo fired into the side netting, but Leeds were largely dominant.

Shortly before the half hour mark Blake hit a delightful free-kick from 22 yards which bounced back off the crossbar.

Six minutes later, a sickening sense of deja vu engulfed Elland Road as Lewis produced an equally impressive free-kick which also smacked the crossbar.

Having rode their luck, Coventry were level two minutes before the break when Kevin Kyle hit a hopeful-looking cross into the box and Virgo arrived to sidefoot home from six yards.

However, Leeds responded in style by reclaiming the lead eight minutes after the restart following good work from Lewis.

The USA international carried the ball deep into Coventry's half and found Healy with a neat pass inside the 18-yard box.

Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall raced off his line to avert the danger but his parry fell straight to Douglas, who gleefully fired home the loose ball from 10 yards.

Coventry's response was impressive and they enjoyed spells of sustained pressure but substitute Dele Adebola spurned their best chance when he blazed wide from six yards in the 86th minute.

There was still time for Kyle to head against the post in the final minute but Leeds held on for victory.

CCFC
Coventry City suffered their third defeat in four games when they lost 2-1 against Leeds United on New Years Day. Adam Virgo had leveled the score for the Sky Blues after David Healy's opener but a goal from Douglas secured all three points for Dennis Wise's men.

Micky Adams made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Southend United. The back four was unchanged but Isaac Osbourne came into the team for Stephen Hughes, who was not in the 16. Jay Tabb replaced Darren Currie on the left wing, while Virgo came in for Leon McKenzie and started up front with Kevin Kyle. Matt Heath was not allowed to play in the fixture as part of the loan agreement between the two clubs.

Leeds had the best chance to open the scoring in the third minute when Jonathan Douglas caught Marcus Hall in possession and crossed into the box - forcing Andy Marshall to palm away ahead of the lurking Moore.

Page produced a great challenge on Moore with seven minutes on the clock, before the Sky Blues' skipper went into the book for dissent on 13 minutes.

By this time, the home team were having the majority of possession and it was no surprise - although a little disappointing - when they took the lead on 15 minutes. From Lewis' corner, the ball came out to the Northern Ireland international, who found enough space to turn in the area and finish into the bottom corner.

It prompted the Sky Blues to try and get back on level terms and at the other end, Tabb played the ball through to Virgo, who struck the ball well but only into the side netting.

Ward shot into the arms of the keeper from a Birchall corner, before the Sky Blues had a golden opportunity to score, when Kyle shot at the near post, only for the ball to hit Sullivan and trickle wide.

Whing went into the book for pulling back Lewis on 26 minutes and from the resulting free-kick, Robbie Blake rattled the crossbar with a thundering shot before Coventry cleared their lines.

It was a case of déjà vu seven minutes later, when Osbourne was adjudged to have fouled Nicholls and Lewis stepped up to the set-piece, only to hit the crossbar again.

But it was to be Coventry City who would score next on 43 minutes - courtesy of utility man Virgo. Kyle was the provider as he crossed it into the danger area and the on-loan Celtic man made no mistake as he finished with aplomb from six yards.

Leeds began the second period of play brightly when Lewis broke down the left-hand side and found Moore who fired a low shot towards the far corner, the Sky Blues 'keeper saved with relative ease.

Disaster struck on 52 minutes when Leeds again took the lead, Lewis found Healy who forced a good save from Marshall however the ball squirmed loose when Coventry failed to clear their lines and Douglas coolly slotted the ball home.

The goal forced Micky Adams into a double substitution with Leon McKenzie coming on for Birchall and Dele Adebola replacing Tabb on 56 minutes. The switch saw Virgo drop back into midfield and Adebola partnering Kyle up front.

Adebola made an instant impression with the former Crewe man setting up Virgo who hit a low shot from the edge of the area straight at Sullivan. The Sky Blues made their final change of the afternoon with Darren Currie replacing the limping Whing on 69 minutes, the switch saw Virgo reverting to right-back.

Coventry began to take the game by the scruff of the neck when Kyle went close with a header but the Scottish international could only direct his header wide of goal before Currie tested Sullivan with a long range free-kick in the 78th minute.

With less than five minutes remaining on the clock, City began to press the Leeds goal and Adebola came the closest to leveling the score when he shot into the side netting from a Currie cross.

The fourth official indicated a minimum of four minutes additional time and Kyle nearly made the score 2-2 when the former Black Cats man agonizingly headed against the post from a McKenzie cross.

4thegame
Jonathan Douglas' first goal since February settled a tension packed contest as Leeds collected their first win in eight matches.

David Healy gave Leeds a rare lead, only for Adam Virgo to equalise just before half-time, but Douglas pounced for the 53rd minute winner after Healy had tried to bundle the ball over the line.

Kevin Kyle hit a Leeds post in injury time but Dennis Wise's men held out.

There was much more purpose and zest from Leeds than they had shown for many weeks as they chased their first win in eight matches. Coventry had been booed off in successive games against Ipswich and Southend and their confidence was at a low ebb.

Wise signed Sunderland left-back Robbie Elliott on an initial month's loan and handed him a debut.

Keeper Neil Sullivan came in for his first start since October, former Maritimo central defender Manuel Rui Marques made a rare appearance and skipper Kevin Nicholls brought much needed power and imagination to the midfield on his return from a three-match suspension.

Coventry boss Micky Adams reacted to Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Southend by replacing Darren Currie, Stephen Hughes and Leon McKenzie with Jay Tabb, Isaac Osbourne and Virgo.

Leeds were much quicker to settle and they scored the first goal for the first time in nine games. With 15 minutes gone, Coventry failed to clear Eddie Lewis' corner from the right, Healy controlled the ball beyond the far post, turned and drilled his shot into the bottom far corner for his seventh goal of the season.

Nicholls tried his luck with a powerful 30-yard drive which was only just too high.

Coventry at last began to show their attacking teeth and, after Virgo had wasted a good chance by shooting into the side-netting, Sullivan had to make a point-blank save to deny Kyle an equaliser.

Robbie Blake struck Coventry's bar with a 25-yard free-kick after Lewis had been brought down by Andy Whing in full flight, and the bar foiled Leeds again from Lewis' free-kick after the lively Nicholls was fouled by Osbourne.

Despite taking a back seat for so long, Coventry equalised in the 43rd minute. Marques made a weak headed clearance, Kyle whipped the ball into the goalmouth from the left and Virgo gave Sullivan no chance, shooting home from six yards.

However, Leeds' winner arrived when Lewis made one of his many runs, Healy was blocked by keeper Andy Marshall and Douglas lashed the loose ball into the net.

After the win Leeds manager Dennis Wise hailed David Healy's return to form, saying: "It was like having a new player. He was fantastic and I was chuffed to bits for him that he scored.

"He's gone through a barren spell and responded in the right manner. Obviously when he plays like that I don't want to lose him. He had an extra yard of pace today and that's what we want from him." Wise added: "It was a good performance from us in the first half and we could have been three or four up.

"We hit the bar twice and they scored from their first effort and I thought 'here we go again'. But we came out for the second half and battled well, showing good character to get the win." Coventry manager Micky Adams accused some of his men of playing 'powder-puff football.' He said: "It isn't good enough. Things are not going well at the moment.

"When results go against you, obviously you're under pressure. It would be naive of me to say otherwise, but I've been in this situation before at Coventry and got through it.

"Will I be given time? You're asking the wrong person that question, but I'll go out of this football club kicking and screaming. The next game can't come quickly enough."