Norwich 1 Coventry 1 - 24/02/2007

Norwich 1 Coventry 1 - 24/02/2007

Norwich City: Paul Gallacher, Mark Fotheringham (Paul McVeigh 75), Gary Doherty, Darren Huckerby, Simon Lappin, Chris Martin, Dickson Etuhu, Adam Drury, Chris Brown (Lee Croft 45), Jason Shackell, Andy Hughes (Youssef Safri 71)
Subs not used: Jurgen Colin, Joe Lewis
Booked: Mark Fotheringham 36, Darren Huckerby 80
Goals: Chris Martin 81

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Stephen Hughes, Andrew Whing, Colin Hawkins, Marcus Hall, Jay Tabb (Khalilou Fadiga 88), Isaac Osbourne (Christopher Birchall 89), Elliott Ward, Michael Doyle, Kevin Kyle, Dele Adebola (Michael Mifsud 72)
Subs not used: Adam Virgo, Luke Steele
Booked: Andrew Whing 49
Goals: Jay Tabb 42

Attendance: 24220
Referee: A D'Urso

Teamtalk
Norwich striker Chris Martin marked his full home debut with his first league goal for the club in a 1-1 draw against Coventry at Carrow Road.

The Canaries academy product, making only his sixth appearance of the season, slammed the ball home from inside the six-yard box after former Sky Blues favourite Darren Huckerby's weaving run towards the byline.

It was just rewards for the hosts who had bossed the second half in an attempt to cancel out Jay Tabb's opener but had been constantly thwarted by one of their former players Andy Marshall in the Coventry goal.

Marshall was making his first return to Carrow Road since his acrimonious summer departure and he was roundly booed by the home supporters every time he touched the ball.

And Marshall further frustrated those who once adored him with a fine double save to deny Huckerby in the eighth minute.

Marshall parried Huckerby's driven 12-yard shot up into the air and it looked like the City striker would react quickest to slot home the rebound but Marshall recovered to pounce on the loose ball.

In the second half Marshall produced a superb one-handed reflex save to deny Martin at the foot of a post before tipping a shot from the same player over the crossbar in the closing stages.

Tabb's goal three minutes before the break handed the Sky Blues the half-time advantage. Dele Adebola received the ball with his back to goal inside the area and held up play before flicking a pass inside Gary Docherty into Tabb's path.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international made no mistake with a low right-footed shot from 12-yards.

In the third minute Chris Brown came close to his first goal for the Canaries but his header from Mark Fotheringham's cross flashed past the near post.

Coventry came close when Tabb flashed a dangerous ball across the six-yard box. Adebola looked set for a simple tap-in but Docherty did enough to make the big striker fluff his kick.

Tabb put Coventry ahead before Martin spurned a chance to immediately equalise when he fired over the crossbar.

Norwich manager Peter Grant restored Dickson Etuhu and Huckerby back to the starting line up after the duo missed the midweek defeat against Preston through suspension. Etuhu replaced Lee Croft while Huckerby came in for Dion Dublin who suffered a calf injury at Deepdale.

Iain Dowie made just one change to the side that got his reign as Coventry boss off to a winning start against Southampton in midweek. Isaac Osbourne replaced David McNamee who missed out with a hamstring injury. New loan signing Khali Fadiga started on the bench.

Norwich began the second half brightly and Fotheringham should have brought them level three minutes after the restart but he screwed Martin's cross wide from six yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Jason Shackell almost notched his second goal of the week but his header from Fotheringham's cross narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Adebola provided the hosts with a timely reminder that Coventry still posed a threat when he went close to doubling his side's lead with a 12-yard volley in the 52nd-minute.

But the second period belonged to Norwich. They continued to apply the pressure but Marshall continued to keep them out. Martin finally made their dominance count when he scored in the 81st-minute.

CCFC
A late goal from Norwich City denied the Sky Blues taking all three points at Carrow Road.

Jay Tabb opened his City account just before half-time when the former Brentford man latched onto Dele Adebola's through ball.

Nine minutes from time Chris Martin earned the Canaries a share of the spoils when the youngster slotted home from six yards out from a Darren Huckerby cross.

Iain Dowie made one change to the side which beat Southampton 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Isaac Osbourne came into the side for David McNamee, who is absent because of a hamstring injury.

It meant Andy Whing - who played right-midfield against the Saints - reverted back to the right-back position in his absence.

Elliott Ward continued as skipper, while there was a place on the bench for new signing Khali Fadiga.

For Norwich, former Sky Blues forward Huckerby returned to the side after suspension, while Dion Dublin was ruled out through injury. Youssef Safri was on the bench.

Kevin Kyle headed over the crossbar on two minutes, before at the other end, Huckerby tried to chip the keeper, only for Marshall to be equal to the shot.

The Sky Blues had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring with 13 minutes player. Tabb produced a delicious ball across the face of goal for Adebola, but the big striker couldn't find the killer touch to put it past Gallacher.

Kyle glanced his header into the arms of the keeper from Tabb's cross on 21 minutes, while Coventry were awarded their first corner of the game four minutes later.

Whing's in-swinging set-piece found Adebola, but the forward could only direct his header wide.

Mark Fortheringham was booked for impeding a free-kick on 34 minutes, and when the set-piece was eventually retaken, Whing struck his shot well but the keeper was equal to it.

But the breakthrough did arrive on 42 minutes for Coventry City in a neat attacking move. Kyle found Adebola, who in turn found Tabb, who kept his composure to give the Sky Blues the advantage.

And the midfielder could have had another moments later, when his shot squirted wide after Norwich had failed to clear their lines.

Norwich made an attacking substitute at half-time with Lee Croft replacing Chris Brown

The home side had a glorious opportunity to level the scores moments after play recommenced when Chris Martin crossed into the middle after a surging break down the left, only for Fotheringham to tap it wide from six yards.

Marshall saved from Martin on 64 minutes, before Doyle unleashed a long-range low effort inches wide of the Norwich goal.

Peter Grant made his second substitution of the afternoon with former Sky Blue Safri replacing Andy Hughes on 69 minutes. Three minutes later Michael Misud came on for Adebola.

City were defending doggedly to prevent a Norwich equaliser but the good work was undone on 81 minutes when Huckerby crossed the ball across goal and Martin slotted the ball home from six yards out.

Moments later an excellent save from Marshall prevented the Canaries taking the lead from a goal mouth scramble.

Fadiga made his Coventry debut with two minutes remaining replacing goal scorer Tabb. The fourth official indicated a minimum of four minutes of additional time but the Sky Blues could not find a way through.

4thegame
Coventry City carried on where they had left off against Southampton in midweek and for 80 minutes it looked as if Iain Dowie would make it two wins out of two since taking charge until Norwich grabbed a late equaliser.

Dowie had to settle for a point when young Canaries star Chris Martin opened his League account with an equaliser to cancel out Jay Tabb's first-half strike.

Norwich kicked off attacking the Barclay End goal. In the eighth minute former Canary, Andy Marshall, did well to save Darren Huckerby's lob with the Coventry defenders standing still expecting an offside flag.

Tabb put in a low cross from the left but Gary Doherty did enough to prevent Dele Adebola from applying the vital touch.

After 21 minutes Paul Gallacher saved Kevin Kyle's glancing header from another Tabb cross. Adebola then got his head to Andrew Whing's left-wing corner but the ball went a foot wide of the far post.

Gallacher saved Whing's free-kick but the inevitable goal for Coventry came after 42 minutes.

A clever pass from Adebola on the edge of the Norwich penalty area released Tabb who shook off Andy Hughes and planted a right-foot shot past Gallacher from seven yards out.

Chris Brown should have done better with a right-wing cross from Andy Hughes, but his volley went high into the Barclay Stand.

Lee Croft replaced the injured Brown for the start of the second half.

Three minutes after the restart Mark Fotheringham fired inches wide of the far post when he failed to get a firm touch on Martin's low left-wing cross and Whing was booked for a foul on Huckerby a minute later.

On the hour a good break out of defence by Norwich ended with Huckerby curling his shot inches wide.

Four minutes later Martin cut in from the right and brought a good save from Marshall with a low left-foot shot.

With 10 minutes left, Huckerby was booked by referee Andy D'Urso for an alleged dive with the home fans calling in no uncertain terms for a penalty.

A minute later Huckerby crossed low from the left and Martin's right-foot half-volley from six yards out flew into the top right-hand corner of Marshall's goal.

Marshall then beat away a deflected shot from Huckerby and despite a few more near misses the visitors ensured the game ended all-square.

After the draw Norwich boss Peter Grant said: "I had to pick the fittest team available. Chris Brown did not do himself justice because he was not really fit enough, suffering with a pulled hamstring.

"I cannot fault the guys for the effort they put in, even if they don't always understand what I want them to do.

"Chris Martin has an old head on young shoulders and is doing a great job for us. He has a naturalness about his game combined with arrogance. I just wish we had the players to put around him.

"The players who missed the game today will still be struggling to be fit for the game on Tuesday night." Sky Blues boss Iain Dowie said: "Some of our football was very good.

"I thought we were going to keep a clean sheet, but a misunderstanding at the back let us down.

"But it was a good away point. We need a little more pace and creativity, but I cannot fault the players out there today, they have given everything.

"We need to become invincible at the Ricoh Arena. It's been a good first week for me."

Coventry 2 Southampton 1 - 20/02/2007

Coventry 2 Southampton 1 - 20/02/2007

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Stephen Hughes, Elliott Ward, David McNamee (Isaac Osbourne 53), Jay Tabb (Leon McKenzie 73), Marcus Hall, Colin Hawkins, Kevin Kyle (Michael Mifsud 81), Dele Adebola, Michael Doyle, Andrew Whing
Subs not used: Adam Virgo, Luke Steele
Booked: David McNamee 12, Kevin Kyle 48
Goals: Adebola 5, Kyle 30

Southampton: Jermaine Wright, Marek Saganowski, Gareth Bale, Claus Lundekvam, Pedro Miguel Pele (Alexander Ostlund 45), Rudolf Skacel (Djamel Belmadi 45), John Viafara, Andrew Surman, Kelvin Davis, Chris Baird, Kenwyne Jones (Grzegorz Rasiak 78)
Subs not used: Bartosz Bialkowski, Bradley Wright-Phillips
Booked: Alexander Ostlund 77
Goals: Saganowski 14

Attendance: 17194
Referee: N Miller

Teamtalk
Kevin Kyle's first-half header ensured new Coventry boss Iain Dowie enjoyed a winning start with a 2-1 win over Southampton at the Ricoh Arena.

City, who had picked up just five points from their last 11 games, put in a much-improved performance for their new boss, with Dele Adebola opening the scoring before Marek Saganowski squared things up.

Dowie's side kicked off with the unenviable record of just one win from their last 13 games, but eased some of the pressure within five minutes thanks to Adebola's fifth league goal of the season.

The City striker raced on to Kyle's flick header before sending the sweetest of strikes past Kelvin Davis, who could only look on as the ball flew in off his near post to give Dowie a dream start to his new job.

George Burley's side, who had lost just one of their last eight away games, were shocked into action and soon began to ask questions of a City defence which has looked vulnerable of late.

Wales international Gareth Bale soon had a chance to deliver one of his devastating trademark free-kicks but the City wall did its job, blocking the ball for a corner.

But Dowie's day was to soon turn sour as Southampton struck an equaliser.

Again it was Bale's wand of a left boot which did the damage, curling a corner in from the left which was initially cleared off the line by David McNamee.

Trinidad & Tobago frontman Kenwyne Jones managed to outmuscle flapping City keeper Andy Marshall to the ball before Polish striker Saganowski poked home his first for the club from close range.

The goal did little to deter the home side, with Kyle's driven cross from the left crying out for a finishing touch.

And soon after it was the Scot who restored the lead, muscling in front of his marker before planting a towering header over Davis from Michael Doyle's whipped cross on the half-hour mark.

In the second half, some impressive interplay from the silky Saints came close to unlocking the Sky Blues' backline but Andrew Whing was able to make a superb recovery tackle.

City had chances of their own, with Hughes inches away from a third with a measured free-kick narrowly sneaking the wrong side of the right post.

But Burley's boys had all the play down the left and it seemed only a matter of time before they forced an equaliser.

Jones somehow pulled his shot over from a yard out after the lively Bale had drilled the ball across the face of goal.

And Saints striker Saganowski almost scored seconds later after cutting in well from the left, but Davis was able to smother the shot.

The Saints' attempts to press for an equaliser left gaping holes in their defence. Substitute Leon McKenzie should have done better after breaking the offside trap, but his cross failed to find Michael Mifsud at the back post.

And with seconds of injury time remaining Marshall was forced into a super save to again deny Bale as City recorded their first home victory over Saints since 1999.

CCFC
The Iain Dowie era began in victory as the Sky Blues claimed a determined victory over high-flying Southampton.

Kevin Kyle grabbed the decisive strike in the 30th minute after Marek Saganowski cancelled out a sublime early strike from Dele Adebola.

The new boss, paraded to a rapturous applause before kick-off, made several changes to the side beaten at Leicester on Saturday, with Elliott Ward returning from injury and taking the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Robert Page.

Marcus Hall returned to the back-line with Andy Whing pushing into a more attacking wide right berth and Michael Doyle returned to partner Stephen Hughes at the centre of midfield.

Kevin Kyle was handed a chance to impress in attack after recovering from a broken hand and immediately set about repaying his new manager's faith.

With the game only five minutes old, the Scottish international flicked on a long ball forward to the feet of Adebola, who left Saints 'keeper Kelvin Davis stranded with an unstoppable volley which flew in off the left-hand post from just inside the area.

However, the visitors reply was instant and they could have equalised three minutes later when Colin Hawkins headed off the line from Kenwyne Jones.

But they did find the net in the 13th minute. City 'keeper Andy Marshall fumbled a Saints corner, with Kyle hacking desperately off the line, but Saganowski was on hand to scramble the ball home.

The home side were soon back in front, though, and this time the influential Kyle turned scorer, leaping above Pele before sending a looping header beyond Davis from a teasing Michael Doyle cross.

Kevin Kyle and Stephen Hughes

Hughes almost added a third shortly after the break with a low free-kick which skimmed narrowly wide of the target, while Jones should have levelled on the hour when he skewed high and wide from two yards out.

Marshall produced fine saves to deny Sagonowski and Gareth Bale as George Burley's promotion chasers attempted to engineer a way back into the game, but City held firm.

And as the Saints poured men forward, they left gaps at the back and they were nearly pounced upon late on when a last-gasp challenge from Bale denied substitute Michael Mifsud as the striker surged through on goal.

Bale almost notched an equaliser when he drove at Marshall from the edge of the area, but it turned out to be the last kick of the game as the Sky Blues earned a morale boosting victory.

4thegame
Ian Dowie celebrated his first match as Coventry manager with a vital win to steer his new club away from the relegation zone at the expense of promotion-hunting Southampton.

First-half goals from strike partners Dele Adebola and Kevin Kyle ensured Dowie's tenure as Sky Blues boss got off to a winning start.

Dowie's first decision was to install the injury-free Elliott Ward as captain instead of Robert Page who was missing with a knee problem.

The new manager had a perfect start when Coventry went in front in the fifth minute.

Andy Marshall's goal kick was expertly headed on by Kyle to Adebola and the striker lashed a powerful strike into the corner of the net from 15 yards.

The fourth-placed Saints put their hosts under pressure when Kenwyne Jones challenged Marshall in the air and when the ball dropped near the line, Colin Hawkins cleared the danger.

David McNamee was harshly shown a yellow card for fouling Jones 30 yards from goal and Gareth Bale stepped up to take the free-kick but the 17-year-old's strike took a deflection off the wall.

Southampton equalised from the resulting corner in the 13th minute. Bale swung the ball over from the right and Jones' header was headed off the line by Kyle. The ball came back into the box, and when Marshall fumbled the clearance, Marek Saganowski prodded in a close-range shot for his first goal for the club.

Coventry continued to attack and played with more energy and vision than in their recent poor spell which has seen the club win just one of their last 13 games.

And they were rewarded by re-taking the lead in the 29th minute. Michael Doyle's fantastic cross from the left fell perfectly to Kyle to arch a superb header over keeper Kelvin Davis.

Doyle started another fine move for the home team by teeing up Andy Whing and his right-wing centre was hit into the side-netting by Kyle.

The visitors responded when Bale released Jones and he went on a mazy run before unleashing a firm shot which was deflected wide.

George Burley made two substitutions at the start of the second half when he replaced Rudi Skacel and Pele with Djamel Belmadi and Alexander Ostlund.

Dowie was forced into a change eight minutes later when Isaac Osbourne came on for the injured McNamee.

Coventry were awarded a free-kick just outside the area and Stephen Hughes curled a low shot beyond the wall and the far post.

Southampton put the Sky Blues under increasing pressure with Bale proving a major threat. He first of all sent over a far post cross which Jones knocked just wide and the teenager then dispossessed Osbourne to unleash a shot which Marshall blocked.

The injured Jay Tabb was replaced by Leon McKenzie and the mis-firing Jones was substituted for leading scorer Grzegorz Rasiak with 12 minutes remaining but Southampton team were unable to prevent Dowie from experiencing that winning feeling just 36 hours after taking over at the Ricoh Arena.

Coventry manager Iain Dowie said: "We have got to talk about the players because their commitment, their spirit and their togetherness was second to none.

"There were a few players out there that have not played a lot and they put in a huge effort against one of the top sides in the division.

"I have crammed a lot in during a day and a half. We had a training session this morning which I think surprised a few of them but the response has been terrific." Southampton manager George Burley said: "I think it was the normal scenario with a new manager and the crowd - it gives everybody a lift. It certainly did in the first half.

"We were very poor in the first half and I was disappointed with the manner in which we played.

"We gave a simple flick-on away after a few minutes and one ball into the box.

"I think Coventry hit the target twice and got two goals. In the first half we deserved nothing because we were poor.

"In the second half we picked it up and took the game to Coventry. We had some opportunities and Marshall made a couple of saves but the first half cost us."

Leicester 3 Coventry 0 - 17/02/2007

Leicester 3 Coventry 0 - 17/02/2007
Leicester City: Levi Porter, Alan Maybury, Andy Johnson, Patrick Kisnorbo, Nils-Eric Johansson, Paul Henderson, Geoff Horsfield (Elvis Hammond 90), Gareth McAuley, Mark Yeates (Richard Stearman 81), Jason Jarrett, Iain Hume (Danny Cadamarteri 84)
Subs not used: Conrad Logan, Darren Kenton
Goals: Horsfield 11, Johnson 18, Horsfield 26

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Colin Hawkins, Andrew Whing, Jay Tabb, Isaac Osbourne, David McNamee, Robert Page, Michael Mifsud (Kevin Kyle 45), Dele Adebola (Adam Virgo 81), Leon McKenzie, Stephen Hughes (Christopher Birchall 69)
Subs not used: Luke Steele, Che Bunce
Booked: David McNamee 23, Robert Page 87

Attendance: 25816
Referee: C Webster

Teamtalk
The Milan Mandaric era opened with a rapturous welcome for Leicester's new owner and a 3-0 victory over Coventry at the Walkers Stadium.

Mandaric, whose £25million Foxes takeover was finalised this week, was treated to a standing ovation from home fans prior to kick-off when he told them he would do "everything humanly possible to take the club to the highest level of football as soon as possible".

And once in the stand, the Foxes' new chairman was soon out of his seat again as on-loan Sheffield United striker Geoff Horsfield scored his first goal for the Foxes.

Midfield team-mate Andy Johnson also scored his first Leicester goal when he headed home to double the hosts' lead ahead of another Horsfield strike giving them a 3-0 interval advantage.

The Foxes had been on the offensive early on and, with Sky Blues defender Colin Hawkins off the field for treatment, should have opened the scoring from Levi Porter's right-wing corner in the fourth minute.

But although Jason Jarrett was presented with the ball unmarked at the back post, poor control mean the eventual shot was blocked by Dele Adebola.

However, Leicester took the lead in the 11th minute as Porter, this time in the left channel, crossed to the far post for Horsfield to send a looping header over goalkeeper Andy Marshall.

And although Stephen Hughes managed a clearance, assistant referee Graeme Atkins indicated the ball had crossed the line.

Leon McKenzie's shot was easily saved by Paul Henderson at the other end before the Foxes went further ahead when Andy Johnson's close-range header left Marshall with no chance following a right-wing centre from Iain Hume in the 18th minute.

And Horsfield was on the scoresheet again in the 26th minute as he controlled a pass from Nils-Eric Johansson and held off Robert Page to fire under Marshall's dive.

McKenzie then headed wide after Andy Whing crossed from the Coventry left.

Caretaker Coventry manager Adrian Heath replaced midfielder Michael Mifsud with striker Kevin Kyle for the start of the second half, but Leicester picked up where they had left off prior to half-time by penning the visitors in their own penalty box.

The Sky Blues' riposte came from Adebola, whose right-foot shot was tipped away by Henderson for what proved an unproductive corner.

Next, Henderson was called on to save a point-blank header from McKenzie close to the post before Leicester reasserted themselves by forcing back-to-back corners.

In the 69th minute Chris Birchall replaced Stephen Hughes in the Sky Blues midfield ahead of the visitors going close again through Adebola, who headed McKenzie's cross-shot a whisker wide of rooted Henderson's woodwork.

With less than 10 minutes remaining Adam Virgo replaced Adebola while Leicester's Richard Stearman was introduced for Mark Yeates with Danny Cadamarteri on for Hume.

Horsfield enjoyed back-slaps when he returned to the Leicester bench after being swapped for Elvis Hammond in stoppage time.

CCFC
The Sky Blues endured a disappointing afternoon in the East Midlands when they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Leicester City.

First half goals from Andy Johnson and a brace from Geoff Horsfield condemned City to defeat and the Foxes to local bragging rights. Coventry faired better in the second half but lacked that killer instinct in front of goal.

Adrian Heath made one change to side that drew 2-2 with Cardiff, Stephen Hughes replaced Michael Doyle who returned to Ireland for family reasons.

Hughes missed the match against the Bluebirds through illness and partnered Isaac Osbourne in the centre of midfield.

Andrew Whing was passed fit after being forced off against Cardiff through injury.

The trip up the M69 came a little too early for Marcus Hall and Elliott Ward.

The Midlands derby got off to a ferocious start with the Foxes enjoying the majority of the possession. Leicester had the first opportunity of the match when Jason Jarrett had his shot from the edge of the area smartly blocked by Dele Adebola on seven minutes.

The Sky Blues went a 1-0 down four minutes later when Levi Porter delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area which was met by Horsfield, who looped his header over Andy Marshall. The ball seemed to take an age to cross the line and David McNamee tried in vain to hook it back but to no avail.

The goal gave the Foxes confidence and Rob Kelly's side doubled their lead on 18 minutes when Johnson powerfully headed home an Iain Hulme cross.

Horsfield was proving to be a real handful for City's defence and the former Leeds United man found himself on the edge of the six-yard box with plenty of room to turn and pick his spot to score his second goal of the game on 26 minutes.

Moments later Leon McKenzie had Coventry's first opportunity of the afternoon when he directed a header inches wide of the Leicester goal.

Marshall produced an excellent save just before half-time to deny Mark Yeates from the edge of the penalty area, the Sky Blues custodian did well to push the powerful shot round the post.

City made one change at half-time with Kevin Kyle replacing Michael Mifsud, the change saw the Sky Blues revert to a three pronged attack with Adebola and McKenzie.

Adrian Heath's side began the second half brightly when Adebola forced Henderson into a top draw save as the former Crewe player turned and shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Henderson again denied the Sky Blues on 54 minutes when the keeper blocked McKenzie's near post header. The striker connected with Kyle's cross but could only direct his header straight at the keeper's body.

Coventry were certainly looking brighter after their poor first-half performance and McKenzie came close to getting a goal back when he tried his luck from range and Henderson pushed the shot round the post.

From the resulting corner, a goal mouth scramble emerged with both Kyle and Page having efforts cleared off the line.

With just over 20 minutes left Chris Birchall replaced Stephen Hughes and the Trinidad and Tobago international combined well with McKenzie who whipped in a teasing cross into the area for Adebola who fired a bullet header agonisingly wide.

The Sky Blues made their final substitution of the game with Adam Virgo coming on for Adebola with nine minute remaining on the clock.

Leicester made their first change of the afternoon with Richard Stearman replacing Yeates and the change nearly had an instant impact when the youngster failed to connect to a teasing ball across the penalty area.

With less than a minute remaining Osbourne tried his luck from the 25 yards but the weak shot summed up the disappointing afternoon for the Sky Blues.

4thegame
Leicester City's new era got off to a stunning start with a comprehensive demolition of near-neighbours Coventry City.

New owner Milan Mandaric was given a rapturous welcome before kick-off and the Serbian-American tycoon then received an instant return on his £25million investment as the rampant Foxes raced into a three-goal lead inside 30 minutes.

The first clear chance of the game fell to the home side after three minutes when a Levi Porter corner reached Jason Jarrett at the far post but the midfielder, on loan from Preston, failed to control the ball and the danger was cleared.

The Foxes continued to press and they were rewarded with the opening goal on 11 minutes when Porter's cross from the left channel was met by Geoff Horsfield. The veteran striker's header looped over the keeper and across the goal-line.

Andy Marshall then did well to push away Iain Hume's long-range shot as Leicester continued to pour forward.

And the flying Foxes doubled their lead on 18 minutes when Hume crossed from the right and Andy Johnson stooped to head home from six yards out.

A third goal after 26 minutes was no surprise with Hume stepping over Nils-Eric Johansson's low cross to allow Horsfield to turn and fire a low shot into the far corner of the net.

Coventry's best retort at this stage was an effort by Leon McKenzie who had pulled away to the far post before heading just wide.

Two minutes before the break Mark Yeates had time to control Porter's cross from the left before stepping inside his marker and crashing in an 18-yard drive which Marshall was grateful to scramble away.

Coventry began the second half in more determined mood with Paul Henderson having to be alert to keep out headers from first Dele Adebola and then McKenzie.

Bolstered by their commanding lead Leicester slackened the pace after the re-start safe in the knowledge that, as Coventry continued to push forward in numbers in a bid to rescue something from the game, gaps would begin to appear at the back for the home side to exploit.

In the 78th minute Adebola headed McKenzie's mis-hit shot just wide before Leicester substitute Richard Stearman was a whisker away from getting a head to a Hume cross.

Then, in the dying moments, Henderson comfortably gathered Adebola's weak shot from distance to cap a miserable afternoon for the visitors.

After the match a delighted Leicester manager Rob Kelly said: "We couldn't have had a better start. There was an air of anticipation around the place this week.

"The bar's been raised and the players reacted to that. There is a new atmosphere and I'm really pleased with the result for both players and supporters.

"I was also pleased with our first-half performance and the fact that we now have back-to-back clean sheets.

"It's been refreshing this week because all the talk has been about football where beforehand we weren't able to focus and our minds would stray wondering what was happening with the takeover.

"That was no good because in this division you can't afford not to concentrate." Sky Blues caretaker boss Adrian Heath said: "We made a terrible start and never got going until the second half by which time the damage had been done.

"Our first-half performance was very poor while Leicester were much more comfortable today.

"The first-half defensive performance was poor. We couldn't handle their two frontmen and allowed too many crosses to come in.

"I thought with the takeover here we would have to go out and try and stifle them but unfortunately that never happened."

Coventry 2 Cardiff 2 - 10/02/2007

Coventry 2 Cardiff 2 - 10/02/2007

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Robert Page, Jay Tabb, Michael Mifsud, Colin Hawkins, David McNamee, Leon McKenzie, Isaac Osbourne, Dele Adebola, Michael Doyle, Andrew Whing (Stuart Giddings 58)
Subs not used: Christopher Birchall, Che Bunce, Luke Steele, Adam Virgo
Booked: Robert Page 45, Jay Tabb 33, Leon McKenzie 28
Goals: McKenzie 8, Adebola 71

Cardiff City: Steven Thompson (Iwan Redan 73), Joe Ledley, Stephen McPhail, Michael Chopra, Glenn Loovens, Kerrea Gilbert (Willo Flood 79), Simon Walton, Paul Parry, Peter Whittingham (Kevin McNaughton 68), Neil Alexander, Roger Johnson
Subs not used: Kevin Campbell, David Forde
Booked: Glenn Loovens 35, Kerrea Gilbert 45
Sent off: Glenn Loovens 67
Goals: Chopra(P) 46, Whittingham 58

Attendance: 17107
Referee: G Poll

Teamtalk
Dele Adebola scored for Coventry to earn a crucial point in a 2-2 draw against Cardiff who finished the game with 10 men.

Adebola, who last found the net against Preston on November 28, was on hand to head home Jay Tabb's right wing cross from inside the six-yard box just four minutes after Glenn Loovens' sending-off.

Loovens was booked in the first half and was shown a second yellow card in the 67th-minute for a foul on Michael Mifsud.

It looked like Cardiff, who had won their last three league matches, would continue to breathe new life into their promotion challenge when Peter Whittingham curled a superb 25-yard shot beyond Andy Marshall and into the top left-hand corner.

Michael Chopra's penalty on the stroke of half-time had cancelled out Leon McKenzie's early opener for Coventry.

Andrew Whing was adjudged to have fouled Roger Johnson and Chopra stepped up to calmly claim his 18th league goal of the season.

McKenzie had taken just eight minutes to open the scoring. Mifsud broke down the right wing before crossing low for McKenzie, who beat Neil Alexander from 12-yards out.

The striker came close to doubling his and Coventry's tally when Alexander spilled Isaac Osbourne's shot but he lifted the rebound over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

Cardiff almost equalised in the 19th minute after Robert Page - the Coventry captain back in the side after being left out against Luton and Sunderland following a training ground bust-up with Michael Doyle - brought down Paul Parry but Chopra curled the resultant free-kick narrowly over the crossbar.

Tabb flashed an effort wide and Mifsud crashed a shot against a post before Chopra struck from the spot.

The second half started brightly and Whittingham flashed a warning shot across Coventry's bow in the 57th-minute before finding the net just moments later.

Mifsud and McKenzie went close before Loovens was shown the red card and the hosts set about making their numerical advantage count with gusto.

Coventry launched wave after wave of attack before they were finally rewarded with Adebola's header. But they did not stop there and went in search of a winning goal.

Alexander produced a fine one-handed save to tip McKenzie's 75th-minute shot around the post before Kevin McNaughton was forced to clear a dangerous-looking cross from David McNamee from under his own crossbar.

Tabb and Doyle both saw shots blocked as the two sides were made to settle for a point that will do little to enhance their respective relegation and promotion challenges.

CCFC
The Sky Blues continued their resurgence under caretaker boss Adrian Heath but had to settle for a point in a fiery affair against 10-man Cardiff at the Ricoh Arena.

Dele Adebola grabbed a 71st minute equaliser after a disputed penalty from Michael Chopra and a Peter Whittingham strike cancelled out Leon McKenzie's early opener.

McKenzie handed City a dream start when he rifled in from ten yards after Michael Mifsud had disposed his marker on the right and cut the ball back from the byline.

The Bluebirds' response saw Chopra, the Championship's top goalscorer, send a free-kick flying over the bar, but the home side continued to dictate the play and could have added a second in the 16th minute.

Michael Doyle's precise through-ball sent Jay Tabb racing through on goal, but the pint-sized midfielder fired straight at Cardiff 'keeper Neil Alexander before McKenzie lifted the rebound over.

The woodwork came to the visitors rescue on the stroke of half-time when Mifsud side-footed against the post.

But referee Graham Poll took centre stage moments later when he awarded Cardiff a penalty after spotting a push on Roger Johnson by skipper Robert Page in the area as the visitors prepared to take a corner.

Chopra stepped-up and coolly dispatched the spot-kick to hand the Bluebirds a route back into the game, albeit against the run of play.

Mifsud tested Alexander shortly after the interval as the Sky Blues looked to build on an industrious first-half display, but it was Cardiff who seized the initiative in the 58th minute.

Winger Whittingham picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and curled a magnificent effort with his left foot beyond a helpless Andy Marshall.

But the game turned on its head again nine minutes later when Poll dished out a second yellow card to Bluebirds centre-back Glenn Loovens for a foul on Mifsud.

And City instantly made their extra-man pay as Adebola stooped to head home Tabb's teasing cross at the far post.

McKenzie then saw two goals disallowed for fouls either side of forcing Alexander into a superb reaction save from point-blank range.

City continue to pile men forward put couldn't make their numerical advantage prevail and were forced to settle for a point.

4thegame
Coventry City battled for a point as they came from behind to earn a share of the spoils against 10-man Cardiff City.

Leon McKenzie and Dele Adebola scored for the home side either side of goals from Michael Chopra - his sixth goal in four games - and Peter Whittingham.

Referee Graham Poll was the busiest man on the pitch as he issued six yellow cards and sent off Bluebirds defender Glenn Loovens.

The result left Coventry with just one win in their last 12 games but brought Cardiff's run of three consecutive victories to an end.

In a tight opening to the game Coventry took the lead with the first real chance.

Michael Doyle picked up the ball in midfield and his long diagonal pass released Michael Mifsud on Coventry's right.

The Malta international beat Cardiff defender Joe Ledley before picking out McKenzie with a pin-point pass.

The former Norwich forward turned to get the ball on his favoured right foot before shooting past the despairing dive of Bluebirds keeper Neil Alexander for his sixth goal of the season.

Coventry almost doubled their lead in the 17th minute as a ball over the top saw Jay Tabb race clear but his shot was parried by Alexander. The ball dropped to McKenzie but he scooped the ball over the top.

Chopra put a 25-yard free-kick narrowly over the top and Paul Parry shot just wide as Cardiff began to show the class that has seen them challenge for a play-off place.

Tabb crossed the ball in the 27th minute and brave Alexander smothered the ball but was clattered by a lunging McKenzie - which earned the Coventry forward a yellow card and led to lengthy treatment for the keeper.

The game started to get scrappy with Tabb for Coventry and Loovens for Cardiff picking up yellow cards for untidy challenges.

But Coventry almost stretched their lead in the 43rd minute as a mistake by Loovens let in Adebola. He played in Mifsud whose shot hit the inside of the post and rebounded to safety.

The miss proved costly as Cardiff equalised in first-half injury time. Poll awarded a penalty after adjudging that Robert Page had obstructed Roger Johnson from a corner.

It gave Chopra the chance to score his 18th goal of the season as he sent keeper Andy Marshall the wrong way.

The second half started as scrappily as the first had ended, with both sides struggling to get a grip on the game - a 20-yard snap-shot from Mifsud that flew straight at the goalkeeper proving to be the best chance.

A mistake by David McNamee let in Whittingham in the 57th minute only for him to blaze over, but he was to take another chance a minute later.

Parry found the former Aston Villa midfielder and, from 25 yards, he curled a delightful shot into Marshall's top right corner.

Cardiff were reduced to 10 men when Loovens brought down Mifsud, He was handed a second yellow card but substitute Stuart Giddings put the resulting free-kick just over.

Coventry started to pressurise and drew level with a lovely flowing move in the 71st minute.

It resulted in Tabb flighting in a cross from the left-hand side which was emphatically headed home by Adebola.

McKenzie then twice had the ball in the net in a five-minute spell but each time his headers were ruled out for pushing as Cardiff held on.

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones said: "At 2-1 we were comfortable and there was only one team going to win it and that was us.

"If anything we were going to go on and score a third but the sending-off changed all of that and gave them hope.

"The second booking was deserved as it was a lazy challenge on Michael Mifsud but the card in the first half was harsh. You never know what you are going to get with Graham (Poll).

"It definitely changed the game and probably for the first time in my career I had to change things to try and hold on for a point." Coventry's caretaker manager Adrian Heath said:" "I don't really want to talk about the referee's performance otherwise I will get into trouble.

"Let's just say that I thought it was inconsistent and I could not see anything wrong with the second disallowed goal.

"But I was pleased with our overall performance and think we've got better and better in the past four games."

Sunderland 2 Coventry 0 - 03/02/2007

Sunderland 2 Coventry 0 - 03/02/2007

Sunderland: Darren Ward, Nayron Nosworthy, Stanislav Varga, Ross Wallace (Tobias Hysen 61), Danny Collins, Grant Leadbitter (Danny Simpson 72), Dean Whitehead, Carlos Edwards, Daryl Murphy (Anthony Stokes 60), Dwight Yorke, Stern John
Subs not used: Clive Clarke, Marton Fulop
Booked: Grant Leadbitter 71
Goals: Yorke 19, Edwards 84

Coventry City: Luke Steele, Colin Hawkins, Marcus Hall (Adam Virgo 45), Andrew Whing, David McNamee, Kevin Thornton (Jay Tabb 35), Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Leon McKenzie, Kevin Kyle, Michael Mifsud (Dele Adebola 81)
Subs not used: Arran Lee-Barrett, Christopher Birchall
Booked: Andrew Whing 19

Attendance: 33591
Referee: S Mathieson

Teamtalk
Dwight Yorke and Carlos Edwards eclipsed compatriot Stern John to steer Sunderland's promotion bid back on track with a 2-0 win over Coventry.

The Trinidad & Tobago trio have been recruited to bolster Sunderland's promotion bid, but while John struggled to make an impact on his debut, Yorke and Edwards prospered.

Yorke planted a firm close-range header past Sky Blues goalkeeper Luke Steele in the 19th minute and Edwards added the coup de grace with a stunning strike from 25 yards in the closing stages.

Striker John was recruited earlier this week from Coventry for an undisclosed fee to become the Black Cats' sixth signing of the January transfer window.

He was paired in attack with Daryl Murphy, yet it was the visitors who created the first clear opening in the second minute.

Kevin Thornton slipped a neat pass through to Leon McKenzie who sprung the offside trap and found himself completely unmarked inside Sunderland's 18-yard box.

He hesitated, however, and his left-foot shot was not powerful enough to trouble Darren Ward.

Coventry caretaker manager Adrian Heath held his head in his hands and his mood hardly improved as the half wore on.

Grant Leadbitter's swift pass to John gave the new man an opportunity to turn and shoot but he also dithered and the visitors cleared the danger.

Murphy then fired straight into Steele's midriff after being released down the right flank but in the 19th minute Sunderland were ahead.

A cynical foul by Coventry left-back Andrew Whing on Dean Whitehead gave the Black Cats a free-kick on the right which was played deep to the far post.

The visitors attempted to clear their lines but the ball was hooked back into the six-yard box where Yorke rose highest to head the ball past Steele.

Coventry proceeded to create a steady stream of half-chances and it took a fine save from Ward to turn away Michael Mifsud's low piledriver.

The visitors were then dealt a blow when Thornton sustained an injury and was carried off on a stretcher 10 minutes before the break.

John was given a chance to silence the taunts from the travelling supporters on the stroke of half-time but his low 14-yard strike failed to hit the target.

McNamee hit the bar within seconds of the restart and Yorke then wasted a gilt-edged chance to double Sunderland's tally when he blazed carelessly over the crossbar from 10 yards.

Coventry kept plugging away and Edwards, who signed from Luton last month, provided a flash of inspiration to seal the points.

The tricky winger collected possession 25 yards from goal and struck a fierce shot from the right side of the penalty area which flew past Steele and into the top corner.

It was his second goal in three games and Keane will hope John proves as potent in front of goal in the coming weeks.

CCFC
Coventry City suffered a 2-0 defeat at Sunderland courtesy of goals from Dwight Yorke and Carlos Edwards.

It was a Trinidad and Tobago affair at the Stadium of Light with both goals coming from men from the Caribbean nation. The Sky Blues failed to clear Ross Wallace's free kick and Yorke headed the ball home from close range on 19 minutes.

The match was put out of reach with six minutes to go when Edwards' shot from 25 yards took a deflection to beat Luke Steele.

Adrian Heath made four changes to the side which beat Luton Town 1-0 in midweek.

All three substitutes from that match - who made such an impression after coming on against the Hatters - were included in the starting line-up at the Stadium of Light.

Kevin Kyle started against his former team in place of Dele Adebola, while Kevin Thornton and Leon McKenzie replaced Chris Birchall and Jay Tabb.

The other change came in the shape of Michael Doyle, who replaced Isaac Osbourne in the centre of midfield after sitting out the Luton game.

It was too early for a debut for Che Bunce, who joined the Club on transfer deadline day.

For Sunderland, former Sky Blues striker Stern John started against the side he left just a week ago, replacing the injured Connolly.

Former City players Marton Fulop and Clive Clarke were on the bench.

The Sky Blues made a bright start when Thornton played a great through ball to McKenzie who found himself one on one with the keeper but the striker could only direct his shot at Darren Ward.

Sunderland were denied their first chance of the game when Stephen Hughes made a great challenge to dispossess debut man John on the edge of the six yard box on six minutes before Hughes again put in some more good defensive work to keep the Black Cats at bay with a powerful header to clear the danger from a corner.

On 13 minutes Luke Steele made his first save of the afternoon albeit a comfortable one, Daryl Murphy stole the ball off Doyle and the striker raced away to hit a low shot at the keeper from the edge of the penalty area.

Disaster struck for Coventry on 19 minutes when Andrew Whing fouled Carlos Edwards and from the resulting free-kick from Ross Wallace, the Sky Blues failed to clear the danger and Dwight Yorke headed home from the near-post to give Sunderland the lead.

Six minutes later City nearly leveled the score when a Whing free-kick found McKenzie who escaped his marker but the former Norwich man could only direct his header over the bar.

Adrian Heath's men were beginning to get back into the game when Thornton skipped past two defenders and threaded the ball through to Michael Mifsud who could only shoot straight at the Sunderland shot stopper who put the ball out for a corner.

The Sky Blues were forced to make a change on 35 minutes with Tabb replacing the injured Thornton. The midfielder was taken off after falling awkwardly after putting Mifsud through on goal and was then stretchered round the pitch.

John nearly made it 2-0 to Sunderland just before half-time, the Trinidad and Tobago international pulled his shot wide of the right-hand post from the edge of the penalty box.

Coventry made a substitution at half-time with Adam Virgo replacing Marcus Hall.

The change saw the versatile on-loan Celtic man play at centre-back.

With the second period of play underway, City again nearly levelled the scored when Mifsud hit the post with a shot from the right channel before Whing went close with a 30-yard free-kick on 49 minutes.

Former Sky Blues striker nearly marked his Sunderland debut with a goal seven minutes later when the striker hit a low shot across goal.

With just over an hour gone Roy Keane made his first changes of the match with new signing Anthony Stokes replacing Murphy and Tobias Hysen coming on for Wallace.

Yorke nearly got himself on the score sheet again when a mistake by Hughes allowed Hysen to cross the ball into the penalty area and the former Manchester United striker volleyed the cross straight over Steele's crossbar.

Mifsud was looking lively and the Maltese international forced Ward into making a comfortable save before the striker turned into a provider and set up Kyle on 70 minutes. The former Sunderland striker found himself with room to turn in the six yard box but the Scottish international could scuff his shot straight at Ward.

In a bid to snatch a late equaliser, City brought on Dele Adebola for Mifsud with nine minutes remaining.

The match was put out of Coventry's reach on 84 minutes when Edwards struck a shot from 25 yards out, the rasping drive took a deflection which fooled Steele and went into the top left hand corner of the net.

4thegame
Sunderland kept up their promotion challenge with goals from Dwight Yorke and Carlos Edwards sunk Coventry City at the Stadium of Light.

But after Yorke had headed the Black Cats into an early lead, Coventry had the better of the chances to draw level only to be dealt a cruel sucker-punch by Edwards' superb late strike.

Coventry should have been off to a flying start, Leon McKenzie being guilty of a dreadful miss in the second minute after complete disarray in the home defence.

Kevin Thornton jinked his way through but McKenzie, completely in the clear, had his close-range shot turned behind by Darren Ward.

Sloppy defending in the Coventry defence let in Edwards who found Daryl Murphy but a weak shot was easily saved by Luke Steele and then a promising run and cross from Edwards was just beyond Stern John.

A poor challenge by Andrew Whing in the 18th minute on Dean Whitehead earned the full-back a booking and, from Ross Wallace's resultant inswinging free-kick, Sunderland went ahead.

Confusion reigned in the penalty area when Stan Varga challenged and Yorke reacted first to the loose ball in the air and headed firmly just inside the post.

The lively Michael Mifsud carved open the Black Cats defence, gliding his way past three defenders only to be denied by Danny Collins, and then the Maltese star forced Ward into another great save on the half-hour as Coventry continued to give as good as they took.

But they suffered a big blow in the 34th minute when Kevin Thornton, at the heart of nearly all their attacking moves, went down heavily in a midfield challenge and, after lengthy on-field treatment, was eventually stretchered back to the dressing-room and replaced by Jay Tabb.

Sunderland twice went close to increasing their lead just before the interval, Varga heading weakly at Steele from Whitehead's cross and John shooting just past the post when set up by Edwards.

Coventry, who brought on Adam Virgo for Marcus Hall at the start of the second half, pressed strongly with a shot-cum-cross from Mifsud bouncing off the top of the bar and a 25-yard free-kick from Whing whistling just past the post with Ward at full stretch.

Roy Keane sent on Anthony Stokes and Tobias Hysen just after the hour but Coventry continued to force the pace with Ward making another stunning save from Kevin Kyle who played on despite suffering a painful hand injury.

The Black Cats, however, made the three points save in the 84th minute, a stunning volley from Edwards taking a huge deflection to wrong foot Steele.

Stokes had a shot saved and John headed just past the post as further gaps appeared in the Coventry defence in the vain hope of salvaging a point.

Roy Keane expressed his delight after his injury-hit side stretched their unbeaten run to five matches.

He said: "I'm delighted with the win, it's a clean sheet, three points and we move on.

"The performance was okay, we can play better than that and have done this season without getting anything out of the game.

"I thought Dwight Yorke was different class and the added bonus is he is getting goals. Stern John did very well and we had to put him straight in after two injuries on the training ground on Friday.

"David Connolly took a nasty facial injury and after seeing the specialist he was told to take a few days rest, he wasn't even at the game today, and Jonny Evans was also not available.

"Give credit to Coventry they had to come at us after conceding an early goal but our subs have come on and we looked very solid.'' Coventry's caretaker manager Adrian Heath said: "I can't ask anymore from the players in terms of effort.

"They've done really everything I can ask of them but if the powers that be don't think that I have done enough, then I can't help that.

"I was pleased with the effort and we have had the better chances and the most clear-cut chances. I am disappointed with the result but the performance and effort was tremendous.

"Goals change games and the second goal came when we were the more likely to score. There was a lot to come out of the game and we have to be positive."