Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Carlisle 0 Coventry 2 (Carling Cup 2nd Rnd) - 28/08/2007

Carlisle 0 Coventry 2 - Carling Cup 2nd Round - 28/08/2007

Carlisle United: Keiren Westwood, David Raven, Zigor Aranalde, Danny Livesey, Chris Lumsdon, Danny Graham (Kevin Gall, 60), Danny Carlton, Paul Thirlwell, Paul Arnison, Simon Hackney (Jeff Smith, 60), Martin Brittain
Subs not used: Neale McDermott, Chris Howarth, Dan Kirkup
Booked: Chris Lumsdon 77

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Isaac Osbourne, Robert Page (Marcus Hall, 20), Elliot Ward (Ben Turner, 81), Gary Borrowdale, Ellery Cairo, Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Jay Tabb, Dele Adebola (Robbie Simpson, 71), Michael Mifsud
Subs not used: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Leon McKenzie
Goals: Michael Mifsud (21, 56)

Attendance: 5744
Referee: J Moss

Teamtalk
A double strike by Malta's Michael Mifsud enabled Coventry to cruise comfortably into the Carling Cup third round with a 2-0 win at Carlisle.

It was a reality check for the Cumbrians' Coventry-born caretaker-boss Greg Abbott after leading his side to three straight wins without conceding a goal.

The Championship leaders looked the sharper side, and Mifsud's brace of goals capped a man-of-the-match performance.

Coventry took the lead after 22 minutes through a combination of Dele Adebola and Mifsud that had the Carlisle defence in a tangle. Mifsud controlled his strike partner's pass before turning to fire a stinging low right-foot shot past keeper Keiren Westwood from just inside the penalty area.

Mifsud nearly extended City's lead on the stroke of half-time when he outbattled two defenders only to be denied by Westwood's desperate last-ditch dive.

The visitors did extended their lead after 56 minutes when Ellery Cairo's cross from the right spread panic in the home defence, and Mifsud pounced to head home from close range.

CCFC
Michael Mifsud staked his claim for a first team place by netting a brace as Coventry City beat Carlisle United 2-0 in the Carling Cup.

The diminutive striker struck once in each half to secure the victory and maintain City's unbeaten start to the season.

Iain Dowie made four changes to the side which beat Cardiff City 1-0 on Saturday.

Andy Marshall played in goal in place of Dimi Konstantopoulos, while Robert Page replaced Marcus Hall in the heart of the defence.

Mifsud started up front instead of Leon McKenzie, with Ellery Cairo starting on the right side of midfield - Jay Tabb moving onto the left to accommodate.

The home side had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring in the second minute of the match when Simon Hackney's ball found Danny Graham, who smashed his shot just wide of the left upright.

Cairo hit his shot high and wide with 12 on the clock, before a mazy run from the Dutchman saw Adebola backheel the ball to Mifsud - the Maltese international seeing his shot deflected wide.

The Sky Blues were forced to make a substitution on 20 minutes when Page - who was still suffering the effects of an earlier knock - was replaced by Marcus Hall.

But there was good news for the visitors just two minutes later when they took the lead - Adebola finding Mifsud, who finished well across the keeper and into the bottom corner.

Adebola saw his show blocked at close range by Westwood in the Carlisle goal just before the half hour, before Cairo's follow-up was high, wide and into row Z.

Doyle in action against Carlisle

It was the final real opportunity of the half, with the Sky Blues holding a 1-0 lead at the break.

The Sky Blues started the second half brightly with Tabb heading wide moments after the restart, before Coventry made it 2-0 after 55 minutes.

Cairo showed his guile on the right as he crossed it into the mixer with Mifsud finishing with his second of the evening with the Carlisle defence all at sea.

The goal forced Carlisle into a double substitution, with Gall and Smith replacing Hackney and Graham on the hour.

Coventry made a substitution 11 minutes later, with Robbie Simpson replacing Adebola, while Ben Turner made his first appearance of the season when he replaced Elliott Ward with 81 gone.

Substitute Gall forced the largely redundant Andy Marshall into a good save two minutes before the end of the game but it was to no avail for the home side, who slipped out of the competition.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Cardiff 0 Coventry 1 - 25/08/2007

Cardiff 0 Coventry 1 - 25-08-2007
Cardiff City: Ross Turnbull, Tony Capaldi, Gavin Rae, Glenn Loovens (Peter Whittingham, 65), Steven MacLean (Warren Feeney, 79), Stephen McPhail, Paul Parry, Roger Johnson, Joe Ledley, Trevor Sinclair, Chris Gunter (Darren Purse, 84).
Subs not used: Michael Oakes, Aaron Ramsey

Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Marcus Hall, Elliot Ward, Gary Borrowdale, Isaac Osbourne, Jay Tabb, Julian Gray (Robbie Simpson, 89), Michael Hughes, Michael Doyle, Dele Adebola, Leon McKenzie (Michael Mifsud, 76)
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Robert Page, Ellery Cairo
Goals: Jay Tabb (34)

Attendance: 16,407
Ref: R Shoebridge

Teamtalk
Jay Tabb fired home a close-range effort to give Coventry a 1-0 victory at Cardiff and take the Sky Blues to the top of the Championship.

But they had a lucky escape in the dying moments as home substitute Darren Purse blasted a penalty against the crossbar after Michael Doyle had fouled Warren Feeney.

Cardiff were still without new strikers Robbie Fowler and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink but they started strongly, with Steve MacLean having a shot blocked by Elliott Ward.

The lively MacLean carved out another good opportunity after four minutes but his curled right-foot shot was too high and he then sent a 13th-minute header the wrong side of the post.

Despite plenty of endeavour, Iain Dowie's side struggled to carve out any opportunities in front of goal in the opening 20 minutes as the home side continued to look the more threatening.

And Cardiff almost made the breakthrough after 21 minutes only for Coventry goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos to somehow keep out MacLean's close-range header.

Chris Gunter then sent a 20-yard effort wide as Cardiff continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges.

And it was MacLean who continued his one-man assault on the Coventry goal with another shot after 27 minutes, although Konstantopoulos was equal to it.

The increasingly-busy Coventry goalkeeper was in the thick of the action once more just after the half-hour mark as he saved from Glenn Loovens.

But it was the visitors who grabbed the lead 11 minutes before the interval.

Dele Adebola played in Leon McKenzie, who sent a perfect pass across the six-yard box for Tabb to steer the ball home.

It could have been even worse for the home side three minutes before the break but Adebola screwed his close-range shot wide.

But the unlucky MacLean was again denied moments before the half-time whistle by the excellent Konstantopoulos.

Chances were at a premium in the first 10 minutes of the second half despite plenty of attacking intent from the home side.

But it was the visitors who carved out another chance just after the hour, with Leon McKenzie firing wide from 12 yards.

Cardiff then opted for a change shortly afterwards, with Peter Whittingham replacing Joe Ledley.

McKenzie was denied by Ross Turnbull with just over 20 minutes to go and the keeper was in action again to keep out an effort from Julian Gray.

Coventry also opted for a change with 15 minutes to go as McKenzie made way for Michael Mifsud.

Cardiff continued to struggle, with Paul Parry firing a long-range effort over the bar after 80 minutes and moments later MacLean was replaced by Warren Feeney.

It looked as though they would claim a point in injury-time from the spot but the unfortunate Purse was unable to convert.

CCFC
Jay Tabb's goal in the 35th minute sealed the points for Coventry City as they beat Cardiff City 1-0 at Ninian Park.

It was a deserved victory for the Sky Blues, who defended doggedly against the Welsh outfit, with some excellent saves from Dimi Konstantopoulos before the break.

It maintains City's unbeaten start to the season, following the win against Barnsley and draw against Hull City.

Coventry even survived the drama of a 90th minute penalty miss from the home side.
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Iain Dowie was forced to make two changes from the side which drew 1-1 against Hull City.

Michael Hughes - who was replaced by his namesake Stephen - missed the match because of a thigh strain, while Kevin Kyle was absent because of a hip problem. The big striker was replaced by Dele Adebola, with Leon Best also missing because of a minor knock in training.

The absentees meant that Robbie Simpson made the bench for his first league game, along with Ellery Cairo, who has returned from a hernia problem. Robert Page - against his former club - was also on the bench for the first time this season.

There were no places in the Cardiff City 16 for new signings Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Robbie Fowler.

Cardiff had the first real chance of the game on four minutes, when Gary Borrowdale was caught in possession and Steve MacLean broke through and lifted his shot over the crossbar.

It was the home team who created another opportunity with 20 minutes on the clock. Tony Capaldi broke down the left and delivered a pinpoint cross into the area for Paul Parry, who saw his header held by Konstantopoulos.

Michael Doyle saw his shot deflected wide for a corner with 25 gone, but Osbourne's delivery from the set piece was too long and Cardiff cleared their lines.

Doyle was again involved when he was tripped for a free kick just outside the box with 32 on the clock, but it came to nothing as the ball was fired into the Cardiff wall in a so far frustrating afternoon for the Sky Blues.

But Dowie's men did make the breakthrough on 35 minutes to make it 1-0 - Leon McKenzie's cross catching out the Cardiff defence to find the advancing Tabb, who slid it into the back of the net from close range.

The visitors could have had two just three minutes before the break - Adebola pulling his shot across the goal and just wide of the far post from the tightest of angles.

Konstantopoulos kept City in the game with three excellent saves just before the break - the first from Trevor Sinclair, before an excellent double save at point blank range from Joe Ledley.

After the break, McKenzie had the opportunity to double the score on 62 minutes when he pulled his shot wide of the far post though the striker was substituted on 76 minutes for the pacey Michael Mifsud.

In a largely uneventful second half, substitute Darren Purse had the best chance for the home side in the second period when he headed wide moments after coming on before moments later, fellow substitute Feeney pulled his shot well wide when clean through.

Meanwhile, the Sky Blues could have had their second moments from the end when Purse headed against his own crossbar.

With 89 minutes on the clock, Simpson replaced Julian Gray to make his league debut.

But Feeney was pulled down at the death and Cardiff looked as though they would snatch a point from a penalty - only for Purse to smash his shot against the crossbar.
4thegame
Cardiff City's miserable home form continued with yet another defeat in a game they should have won against Coventry City.

They squandered a host of chances and were made to pay on the half hour when the unmarked Jay Tabb rolled the ball into an empty net.

They even missed a penalty in time added on when Darren Purse struck the crossbar after Warren Feeney had been brought down in the area.

There was no place in the Bluebirds' starting line-up or even on the bench for Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and the only change came at full-back where Chris Gunter replaced the injured Kevin McNorton.

Former Bluebird Julian Gray was in the Sky Blues midfield while Robert Page was on the bench.

Steve MacLean had two chances to open the scoring in the first five minutes but failed to trouble the Coventry keeper on either occasion.

In the 20th minute Cardiff should have taken the lead from a MacLean close-range header, but Dimitrios Konstantopoulos held the ball on his goal-line.

In the 35th minute, the visitors went ahead when Leon McKenzie crossed to the unmarked Tabb, who side-footed home into the empty net.

They could have doubled their lead six minutes later when Dele Adebola out-witted Roger Johnson before sending his cross shot wide of the far post.

The Bluebirds had plenty of possession in the second half but, once again, failed to trouble the visitors' goal.

Coventry was dangerous on the break and the busy Tabb flipped a long pass out to McKenzie on the hour, but his shot went beyond the far post.

Cardiff brought on all three subs and put Johnson at the front but, when Feeney was brought down in time added on for the second home match in succession, they missed the chance of gaining a draw by failing from the spot.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Coventry 1 Hull 1 - 18/08/2007

Coventry 1 Hull 1 - 18/08/2007

Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Elliott Ward, Marcus Hall, Gary Borrowdale, Isaac Osbourne, Julian Gray, Jay Tabb (Michael Mifsud 77), Michael Doyle, Kevin Kyle (Dele Adebola 74), Leon McKenzie, Michael Hughes (Stephen Hughes 45)
Subs not used: Leon Best, Andy Marshall
Goals: McKenzie 51

Hull City: Matt Duke, Sam Ricketts, Dean Marney, Michael Turner, Wayne Brown, Damien Delaney, Ian Ashbee, Richard Garcia, Nick Barmby (David Livermore 76), Dean Windass (Stephen McPhee 74), Stuart Elliott (Andy Dawson 70),
Subs not used: Boaz Myhill, Michael Bridges
Booked: Dean Marney 32, Sam Ricketts 23
Sent off: Sam Ricketts 68
Goals: Barmby 62

Attendance: 21059
Referee: B Knight

Teamtalk
Nick Barmby cancelled out Leon McKenzie's opener for Coventry as 10-man Hull earned a 1-1 Championship draw at the Ricoh Arena.

After a first half that was as dull as the weather, the game burst into life six minutes after the restart when McKenzie opened the scoring.

McKenzie followed up his goal at Barnsley on the opening day of the campaign with his second of the season after strike partner Kevin Kyle received the ball wide on the right and produced a pint-point cross for him to deftly head home from six-yards out.

However, the lead did not last long as Barmby restored parity when he headed home Michael Turner's right-wing cross in the 62nd minute.

Barmby almost doubled his tally and put the Tigers ahead with a low left-footed drive a minute later. Only a superb save from Dimitrios Konstantopoulos thwarted the diminutive midfielder.

But just as Hull looked like they might take the initiative in the game they were reduced to 10 men after Sam Ricketts was sent off in the 68th minute for a foul on Julian Gray. It was Ricketts' second yellow card after he was booked for a foul on the same player in the first-half.

But the Sky Blues failed to make their numerical advantage count despite the introductions of Dele Adebola and Michael Mifsud.

Chances were few and far between in the first 45 minutes of the game with the best opportunity falling to Sky Blues defender Elliott Ward early on.

Michael Doyle's floated corner was met by Ward at the penalty spot but he could not direct his header on target and the ball went wide.

The same combination created another half opening just before the half-hour mark but this time Ward's volley was blocked by Damien Delaney.

In between Hull had their first effort on goal through Ian Ashbee's 20-yard shot before the same player crossed for Stuart Elliott to head wide.

Jay Tabb headed Gray's cross wide in the 34th-minute in the last meaningful action of the first-half.

Coventry manager Iain Dowie made seven changes to the side that beat Notts County in the Carling Cup in midweek. The former Northern Ireland international reverted back to the same starting XI that won 4-1 against Barnsley at Oakwell.

Phil Brown made five changes to his Hull side following the Tigers' cup win at Crewe. Duke was a surprise inclusion as he kept his place after his performance at Gresty Road with Boaz Myhill dropping to the bench just two days after signing a new three-year contract with the club.

Duke justified his selection with a superb one-handed save to keep out Gary Borrowdale's goalbound 25-yard drive in the final minute.

CCFC
The Sky Blues were forced to settle for a share of the spoils in a scrappy encounter at the Ricoh Arena.

Leon McKenzie's 51st minute header, his second of the season, wasn't enough for Iain Dowie's men as Hull responded through former England international Nick Barmby.

Goalmouth action was a rarity during a cagey first-half as both sides kept things tight at the back.

The Sky Blues, unchanged from last weekend's 4-1 opening day victory at Barnsley, went closest to breaking the deadlock when Jay Tabb headed narrowly wide of the post from a deep Julian Gray cross on the half hour mark.

Earlier on, Hull striker Stuart Elliott had headed wide while Kevin Kyle felt he should have had a penalty for City after appearing to be bundled to the ground by Damien Dalaney.

But the home side started the second-half with much more potency and swiftly earned their reward.

Kevin Kyle picked up a lose ball midway inside the visitors' half and delivered a pin-point cross to the back-post where McKenzie rose to send a downward header past 'keeper Matt Duke.

Gray dragged an effort wide as the SKy Blues looked to build on their advantage, but their lead lasted just eleven minutes.

The Tigers' former England international Nick Barmby stole in at the front post to head a Sam Ricketts cross from the right past Dimi Konstantopoulos, who, despite his best efforts, could only push the ball into the top-corner of the net.

Barmby could have bagged another soon after, but shot straight at Konstantopoulos after finding himself unmarked in the area.

And it was a moment Barmby would be left to rue as Hull were reduced to ten-men after 68 minutes when Ricketts was sent-off after picking up a second yellow card for a foul on the influential Gray.

A McKenzie header was saved by Duke as City embarked on an assault at the Hull goal which also saw substitute Michael Mifsud fire into the side-netting after a good breakaway involving McKenzie and Gray.

Captain Michael Doyle tried his luck from 20-yards but Duke kept out his low effort before another subsitute, striker Dele Adebola, headed over under pressure at the back-post.

But the elusive goal wasn't to be and the Sky Blues remain unbeaten in 2007/08.

4thegame
Ten-man Hull City clung on to a 1-1 draw against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena.

The Tigers had been one down after a Leon McKenzie second-half goal. But after equalising through Nick Barmby, Sam Ricketts was dismissed for a second bookable defence.

Both sides started slowly in what was an even first half.

But the game came to life in the 20th minute when Coventry had a penalty claim. Michael Hughes crossed to Kevin Kyle, only for the striker to be wrestled to the ground by Damien Delaney. Coventry appealed, but referee Barry Knight waved away their appeals.

Hull then had the best chance of the half ten minutes later. A good cross by Delaney found Barmby eight-yards out, but the veteran's strong header was saved well by goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos.

Coventry had won their last two matches because of strong second-half displays, and continued with the habit, taking a 50th minute lead.

Half-time substitute Stephen Hughes moved down the right and floated an inch-perfect cross to McKenzie at the back post, who headed the ball past Matt Duke from six-yards to score his second goal of the season.

But Hull fought back and after defending well against Coventry pressure, they equalised through Barmby.

Full-back Sam Ricketts sent a teasing cross to the front post, and Barmby made up for his earlier miss with a diving header. Konstantopoulos got a hand to it, but it wasn't enough to keep out the equaliser.

The Tigers hopes of pushing for a win took a blow in the 67th minute when Ricketts received a second booking. After picking up a card in the first half for a foul Kyle, Ricketts fouled Gray as he broke into the area.

Hull went on the defensive, bringing on defenders Andrew Dawson and David Livermore for strikers Stuart Elliott and Barmby.

Coventry put on a late surge, but despite several targets, they failed to test the Hull goal and the visitors hung on to earn their first point of the season.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Coventry 3 Notts County 0 (Carling Cup 1st Rnd) - 14/08/2007

Coventry 3 Notts County 0 Carling Cup 1st Round - 14/08/2007

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Isaac Osbourne, Robert Page, Colin Hawkins, Gary Borrowdale, Ellery Cairo (Chris Birchall, 64), Michael Doyle (c), Stephen Hughes, Julian Gray (Jay Tabb, 70); Leon Best, Dele Adebola (Robbie Simpson, 73). Subs: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos (GK), Elliot Ward.
Booked: Dele Adebola, Leon Best
Goals: Dele Adebola 47, Leon Best 67, Robbie Simpson 78

Notts County: Kevin Pilkington, Lee Canoville, Adam Tann, Stephen Hunt, Austin McCann, Jay Smith, Richard Butcher, Neil MacKenzie, Hector Sam (Myles Weston, 62), Lawrie Dudfield (Spencer Weir-Daley, 76), Jason Lee. Subs: Tim Sandercombe (GK), Matthew Somner, Gary Silk.
Booked: Richard Butcher

Attendance: 6,735
Referee: R Lee

Teamtalk
Three second-half goals saw Coventry ease past Notts County 3-0 in the Carling Cup first-round tie at the Ricoh Arena.

The Sky Blues had struggled to break down the resilient League Two side until Dele Adebola opened the scoring two minutes after half-time.

Leon Best got the goal his performance deserved in the 67th minute before fellow summer signing Robbie Simpson stepped off the bench to complete the scoring.

Adebola, one of seven changes made by manager Iain Dowie from the side which started the Championship campaign at Barnsley at the weekend, collected the ball inside County's area before beating his man with the drop of his right shoulder and curling the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot.

Best then latched on to Isaac Osbourne's long clearance and lobbed the ball over advancing County goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington before Simpson, who replaced Adebola in the 73rd-minute, converted Jay Tabb's cross from 12 yards just five minutes after his introduction.

County's best chance came in the opening minute when Hector Sam headed Austin McCann's cross narrowly wide.

CCFC
City cruised into the second round of the Carling Cup with a comprehensive victory over Notts County.

All three goals came during a strong second-half performance with strikers Dele Adebola, Leon Best and substitute Robbie Simpson all on target.

But the Sky Blues had to recover from a slow start which almost allowed the League Two outfit to take a shock early lead.

Less than a minute had passed on the clock when Hector Sam headed over an Austin McCann cross from the left with the goal gaping before a smart save from Andy Marshall denied Lawrie Dudfield after the striker was played in behind the City backline.

At the other end, the home side registered their first effort on goal when Adebola, one of seven changes to the City side, fired an angled drive straight at County's former Manchester United 'keeper Kevin Pilkington.

Striker Best, who began his career as a trainee with the Magpies, was showing some neat touches and went close to scoring when he dragged a low effort wide after latching onto a pass from Stephen Hughes and twisting away from his marker.

Gray was next to try his luck with a powerful volley at the back-post which was well saved by Pilkington, but the 'keeper could do nothing in the 35th minute as Best coolly slotted into the net, only to be flagged offside.

Summer signing Ellery Cairo, making his Sky Blues debut after recovering from a groin injury, almost grabbed a goal on the stroke of half-time when his right-footed free-kick on the edge of the box beat the wall, but not Pilkington who scampered across to gather.

However, it took the Sky Blues just 57 seconds of the second period to pierce County's stubborn resistance.

Robert Page slotted the ball through to Adebola, who turned inside his man before firing over Pilkington's dive and into the far corner with his left-foot.

The big Nigerian then nearly turned provider as he laid the ball off for Best to fire a low drive which Pilikington beat away from danger before blasting another effort high and wide after finding himself unmarked in the area.

The ball was in the net again in the 56th minute as Cairo squared for skipper Michael Doyle to sweep home, but the linesman's flag was aloft again and the 'goal' didn't stand.

There was no sign of a flag, though, eleven minutes later as Best sprung the offside trap and lobbed Pilkington despite the 'keeper getting a touch to ball before it bounced over the line.

Young striker Simpson replaced a tiring Adebola with seventeen minutes remaining for his Football League debut and he immediately set about showing his credentials.

His first touch was to win an aerial battle and almost flick the ball into a goalscoring area, while his second ended with a third goal.

Best held up substitute Jay Tabb's pass into the box before Simpson took the ball in his stride and confidently fired a low shot into the bottom corner.

He almost another moments later when a curling shot was saved, while the Magpies fluffed a great chance to grab a consolation late on when Jason Lee side-footed over from close-range.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Barnsley 1 Coventry 4 - 11/08/2007

Barnsley 1 Coventry 4 - 11/08/2007

Barnsley: Nick Colgan, Lewin Nyatanga, Paul Reid, Rob Kozluk, Brian Howard, Rohan Ricketts, Andy Johnson (Sam Togwell 73), Istvan Ferenczi, Martin Devaney, Dennis Souza (Dominik Werling 73), Miguel Angel Mostto (Kayode Odejayi 60),
Subs not used: Grant McCann, Kyle Letheren
Goals: Brian Howard (P) 11

Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Gary Borrowdale, Elliott Ward, Marcus Hall, Isaac Osbourne, Jay Tabb, Julian Gray, Michael Doyle, Kevin Kyle (Michael Mifsud 73), Leon McKenzie (Leon Best 73), Michael Hughes (Stephen Hughes 80)
Subs not used: Colin Hawkins, Andy Marshall
Booked: Michael Mifsud 90, Isaac Osbourne 59
Goals: Leon McKenzie 6, Kevin Kyle 50, Julian Gray 65, Michael Mifsud 90

Attendance: 12616
Referee: S Mathieson

Teamtalk
Coventry began the Championship season in style as three second-half goals earned them a convincing 4-1 win over Barnsley at Oakwell.

Iain Dowie's side dominated throughout and after Tykes midfielder Brian Howard had equalised Leon McKenzie's opener, Kevin Kyle, Julian Gray and Michael Mifsud struck in a one-sided second period to ensure a winning start.

Dowie left new signing Leon Best on the bench and McKenzie wasted no time in staking his claim for a regular starting role when he opened the scoring with the first chance of the match.

Tykes defender Dennis Souza brought down his strike partner Kyle wide on the right and Michael Doyle's floated free-kick found McKenzie completely unmarked at the far post and he thumped his header beyond Nick Colgan.

But the home side responded instantly and were level in their next attack with McKenzie again at the heart of the action.

Rob Kozluk's deep free-kick was heading for the head of striker Istvan Ferenczi until McKenzie's outstretched hand diverted the ball away and referee Scott Mathieson had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.

Howard stepped up and confidently smashed the ball straight down the middle to give Coventry's debutant goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos no chance.

But it was Dowie's visiting side who continued to threaten and another fine cross by Doyle found Elliott Ward in the penalty area but his goal-bound header was well blocked by the sprawling Lewin Nyatanga.

Gray then whistled a strike narrowly wide before Ferenczi called Konstantopoulos into action with a decent header which the Greek keeper comfortably held.

The Sky Blues took just five minutes of the second half to go back ahead through a thunderous header from Kyle.

Jay Tabb whipped in a sublime ball from the right which completely cut out Colgan and left Kyle with the simplest of tasks to smash the header into the roof of the net.

It was the former Sunderland man's first goal since February but he showed just why he has only scored 16 league goals in his career with a terrible miss just four minutes later.

Again Doyle was the architect from a dead ball and his brilliant delivery left Kyle with a seemingly simple second but this time he could only head tamely into Colgan's hands.

But the miss proved inconsequential as Coventry were now in total control and increased their lead in the 65th minute through a fine debut goal from Gray.

Tabb was again integral and after his twisting run left Kozluk on his backside he switched the ball out to Gray on the left and the former Crystal Palace man swept home effortlessly from the edge of the box.

And the former Brentford midfielder made it a hat-trick of assists in stoppage time when his pinpoint through ball picked out substitute Mifsud in space and the Maltese drove powerfully across Colgan to wrap up a comprehensive win.

CCFC
The 2007/08 season began in spectacular fashion as the Sky Blues ran riot against Barnsley at Oakwell.

Goals from Leon McKenzie, Kevin Kyle, new signing Julian Gray and substitute Michael Mifsud gave Iain Dowie's a deserved victory over the Tykes, who replied through a Brian Howard penalty.

The visitors had made all the early running when McKenzie met skipper Michael Doyle's pinpoint free-kick with a powerful header which left Barnsley goalkeeper Nick Colgan helpless as it flew into the back of the net in the sixth minute.

But the lead lasted just two minutes as the home side were awarded a penalty when Kyle handled in the penalty area. Midfielder Howard stepped up and cockily dispatched the spot-kick, chipping it down the centre as Dimi Konstantopoulos dived to his right.

The Sky Blues had two chances to go ahead not long after being pegged back but Kyle headed Gary Borrowdale's excellent cross straight at Colgan while Elliott Ward's towering header was deflected wide for a corner.

It took until the 34th minute until another meaningful effort on goal and it came from Barnsley's Istvan Ferenczi who produced a good save from Konstantopoulos with a downward header from a Martin Devaney cross.

The Tykes went close to beating the City 'keeper just before the break, but Howard's shot was well blocked by Marcus Hall.

But the second period began in similar fashion to the first - with a goal.

Jay Tabb exchanged passes with McKenzie on the right before crossing for Kyle to send a powerful header beyond Colgan from 10-yards.

The big Scot was posing a major threat to the home defence and almost added another shortly after but Colgan dived at his feet to block from a tight angle.

But he was helpless to stop Gray adding a third goal in the 65th minute. The City winger latched onto a pass from Tabb inside the area, danced inside his man before lashing a thunderous effort into the top corner with his unfavoured right foot.

City were running riot and McKenzie should have scored again shortly after when he elected to shoot straight at Colgan rather than pass to an unmarked Kyle.

Dowie freshened up his striking duo in the 72nd minute when Leon Best and Michael Mifsud replaced goalscorers Kyle and McKenzie and immediately set about adding their names to the scoresheet.

A precise through-ball from Michael Hughes set Mifsud through on goal but the Maltese international shot straight at Colgan with the goal at his mercy.

Tabb had better luck though when his angled drive left the 'keeper with no chance before drifting narrowly wide of the post with 12 minutes left on the clock before a curling effort from Best sailed off target.

Konstantopoulos was forced into a rare save three minutes from the end when he got down to stop a toe-poke from Rohan Ricketts.

But Mifsud put the icing on a superb second-half performance in stoppage-time when he fired a low shot into the bottom corner after being played in by the influential Tabb.

4thegame
Coventry City, many people's outside bet for a play-off place this season, cruised to an emphatic away win over new-look Barnsley at Oakwell.

The Sky Blues sizzled in the Oakwell sunshine, rattling in three second-half goals to register all three points.

And the 4-1 margin could have been much bigger as Coventry created a number of other scoring chances.

Barnsley struggled in the Championship last season but boss Simon Davey produced a major overhaul of his squad, with his number of summer signings going into double figures.

Five of the fresh faces were in his starting line-up but it was Coventry that got off to a dream start with a sixth-minute opener.

Skipper Michael Doyle delivered a terrific free-kick from the right and striker Leon McKenzie got in behind the Barnsley defence to plant a powerful header past Nick Colgan.

But Barnsley were level just three minutes later when Coventry striker Kevin Kyle, coming back to help his defence from a Barnsley free-kick, was adjudged to have handled in the box.

Brian Howard scored with a cheeky spot-kick, chipping into the net as Coventry keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos went the wrong way.

The rest of the first half was relatively even, although Coventry looked dangerous every time an aerial ball was delivered into the Barnsley box.

Kevin Kyle twice should have done better with clear headers but could only find the midriff of Colgan.

At the other end Barnsley's best chance came from a Martin Devaney cross in the 35th minute as Hungarian striker Istvan Ferenczi conjured up a diving header that Konstantopoulos did well to deal with low down.

But Coventry got their noses back in front just five minutes into the second period, and it was striker Kyle who finally made his physical presence felt, guiding home a delightful header from Jay Tabb's accurate right-wing cross.

It was 3-1 on 66 minutes when more good work from Tabb picked out Julian Gray wide on the left and the Barnsley defence opened up far too easily as Gray cut inside and lashed a right-foot shot high into the net.

Barnsley's belief began to flood away and Coventry had chances to stretch their lead still further, with Colgan making two fine saves from substitute Michael Mifsud and the lively Tabb.

Three minutes from time good work by Barnsley substitute Kayode Odejayi set up Rohan Ricketts just inside the box but his effort was comfortably saved.

And it was Coventry that deservedly had the final word in stoppage time when the pace of Mifsud took him clear of the Barnsley defence and the finish matched the approach play, a low side-footed effort going beyond Colgan and into the far corner of the net.