Coventry 1 West Ham 2 - Carling Cup 4th Round - 30/10/2007

Coventry 1 West Ham 2 - Carling Cup 4th Round - 30/10/2007

Coventry: Andy Marshall, David McNamee, Arjan de Zeeuw, Ben Turner, Marcus Hall, Isaac Osbourne, Michael Doyle (c), Jay Tabb, Julian Gray (Robbie Simpson, 46), Michael Mifsud, Leon Best (Kevin Kyle, 70).
Subs Not Used: Elliot Ward, Ellery Cairo, Kevin Thornton.
Booked: Isaac Osbourne
Goals: Jay Tabb (68)

West Ham: Richard Wright, Lucas Neill (c), Anton Ferdinand (Daniel Gabbidon, 85), Matthew Upson, George McCartney, Mark Noble (John Pantsil, 61), Lee Bowyer, Hayden Mullins (Jonathan Spector, 46), Matthew Etherington, Luis Boa Morte, Carlton Cole.
Subs Not Used: Robert Green, Kyle Reid.
Booked: George McCartney, Lucas Neill, Jonathon Spector
Goals: OG (Hall, 72), Carlton Cole (90)

Attendance: 23,968
Referee: R Styles

Teamtalk
Cash-strapped Coventry had their Carling Cup dreams cruelly ended by Carlton Cole's injury-time winner which sealed a 2-1 victory for West Ham.

Beset by financial problems and takeover talk, Coventry needed a win to maintain some kind of feelgood factor generated by their stunning success at Manchester United last month.

And it appeared they would get it too when Jay Tabb exposed some woeful West Ham defending to nod Iain Dowie's men into a second-half lead.

But, after Luis Boa Morte's deflected effort off Marcus Hall had pulled West Ham level, the visitors continued to push forward and with referee Rob Styles about to confirm extra-time, Cole held off Ben Turner on the edge of the Coventry box, then kept his nerve to stroke home the winner.

It was the England Under-21 forward's second goal of the campaign and, after saving their top flight skins so unexpectedly last term, kept the East Enders on course for a second cup final appearance in three years.

If Sir Alex Ferguson was watching at home on TV, he could at least content himself with the knowledge that his youngsters, so badly exposed to his utter disbelief, fared no worse that a vastly more experienced Hammers defence when faced with the pace and trickery of Michael Mifsud.

The Malta international goaded George McCartney into one early booking and the only surprise in a largely sterile opening period was that he failed to isolate the full-back often enough to cause him some real problems.

Leon Best and Julian Gray did their best to provide Mifsud with some support, although the nearest Coventry came to breaking the deadlock was through skipper Michael Doyle's fizzing drive, which flashed past Isaac Osbourne before he could stick out a boot to divert it in.

Having named what was, in the absence of injured trio Dean Ashton, Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy, whose non-participation with an abdominal injury was probably a blessing on this occasion given the frosty reception he would have received, his strongest line-up, Hammers boss Alan Curbishley had every right to be disappointed.

Disjointed for long periods and lacking in firepower, the visitors rarely made their Premier League class tell.

In fact, their only notable attacking move saw Boa Morte charge onto Lee Bowyer's pass, only to fall under the physical presence of Ben Turner.

At first glance it looked a clear foul and an automatic sending off. Styles felt otherwise and to the consternation of Hammers skipper Lucas Neill, who was booked for his extensive protests, amazingly ruled Turner was the one being fouled.

With Jonathan Spector introduced for Hayden Mullins, the visitors improved after the break.

Cole rose highest to meet Matthew Etherington's corner and while the England Under-21 striker could not keep his glancing header on target, it at least provided a signal of intent.

Unfortunately for Curbishley and his men, their intent had turned into nothing tangible before their defensive frailties were exposed by Tabb.

Curbishley had every right to be disappointed, not just with his side's failure to clear with an initial set piece but the shambolic nature of an offside ploy which allowed Tabb a free run at Osbourne's far-post cross.

Had Coventry been able to hold their advantage for any length of time, the Hammers might well have panicked.

Instead, the visitors benefited from a large slice of good fortune as both Hall and Kevin Kyle stuck out a boot to block Boa Morte's 15-yard half-volley and succeeded only in deflecting it past an unsuspecting Andy Marshall.

The Hammers' chances of forcing a victory without the need for extra-time looked to have been ended by the loss of Anton Ferdinand with what appeared to be a serious hamstring injury.

But Coventry reckoned without Cole, who had the Hammers fans blowing their familiar bubbles by keeping them on track for Wembley.

CCFC
The Sky Blues are out of the Carling Cup at the fourth round stage after a last minute strike from Carlton Cole handed West Ham a narrow victory at the Ricoh Arena.

Iain Dowie's men performed gallantly throughout and were well worth the lead when Jay Tabb headed in at the back post early in the second-half.

But Marcus Hall deflected Luis Boa Morte's cross into his own net to ensure a quick reply for the visitors before Cole struck after latching onto a long ball forward deep into stoppage time.

City started brightly as boss Dowie reverted to the attack-minded 4-3-3 formation which worked to great success at Old Trafford in round three.

Jay Tabb replaced Kevin Kyle in the only chance to the side victorious over Colchester four days earlier with Michael Mifsud shifting upfield to form a three-man strike-force alongside Best and Julian Gray.

That attacking intent was certainly evident in the opening exchanges as Arjan de Zeeuw glanced a header wide from an Isaac Osbourne cross and Gray headed straight at Hammers' goalkeeper Richard Wright inside the opening 15 minutes.

Jay Tabb goes to ground under the challenge of Anton Ferdinand

West Ham seemed happy to catch the hosts on the counter attack with a teasing George McCartney cross from a dangerous breakaway halted by a fine sliding intervention from Ben Turner.

But it was at the other where the action continued to flow as Mifsud danced past a defender before seeing his shot cannon into the back of Matthew Upson.

And City went agonisingly close to opening the scoring midway through the half when Best twisted away from his marker in the area and fired a low effort at goal from an acute angle only for the slightest of touches from Wright diverting the ball around the post.

The visitors felt they were denied a clear goalscoring opportunity as referee Rob Styles waved play on when Luis Boa Morte fell under the challenge of a back-tracking Ben Turner on the edge of the area.

West Ham remained on the back-footas the Sky Blues began the second-half in a similar fashion to how they'd started the first with Tabb firing over before a speculative effort from Best also flew too high from 20-yards.

They thought their moment of glory had arrived on the hour mark when Mifsud found space in the area and steered the ball beyond Wright, but the assistant referee promptly raised his flag for offside against the tricky Maltese international.

But there was certainly no doubt eight minutes later as Tabb ghosted in at the back-post to nod home Osbourne's floated ball into the danger area.

However, West Ham found themselves back on level terms just four minutes later when Boa Morte's shot across the face of goal was turned into his own net by the luckless Hall.

That sparked the Premier League outfit into action and they wasted a great opportunity to take the lead when full-back George McCartney skewed into the side-netting with the goal gaping at the back-post.

City seemed to have weathered the storm and could have regained the lead shortly after when substitute Kevin Kyle dragged an effort wide.

But with extra-time looming, Cole outmuscled Turner and confidently found the bottom corner of the net to give Alan Curbishley's side a rather undeserved passage into the quarter-finals of the competition.

BBC
West Ham left it late before earning a place in the last eight of the Carling Cup with a goal from Carlton Cole.

Coventry played the match at a fast pace and deservedly took the lead when Jay Tabb stole in at the back post to nod in Isaac Osbourne's flighted pass.

But West Ham were level within three minutes when Marcus Hall deflected Luis Boa Morte's shot into his own net.

And the visitors snatched victory in the third minute of added time when Cole pounced on a Ben Turner mistake.

Interview: Coventry boss Iain Dowie
Interview: West Ham boss Alan Curbishley

It was a cruel end for the centre-back and Coventry, who took the game to their Premier League opponents from the first moment and played much the better football.

The lively Tabb and Michael Mifsud set the tempo and both had chances which flashed wide, as did striker Leon Best.

The Hammers failed to muster a single effort on target in the first half, when they were aggrieved that Turner escaped punishment after tangling with Boa Morte outside the box and Cole in it.

To make matters worse, Hayden Mullins did not reappear for the second 45 because of a knee injury and Anton Ferdinand failed to see out the match because of a hamstring problem.

The Hammers conjured a chance when Cole headed wide from a Matthew Etherington corner before Tabb showed him how to do it, nodding in Osbourne's delightful forward ball on 68 minutes.

The home fans at the Ricoh Arena were in raptures, but West Ham were given a lifeline when Boa Morte pounced on Arjen de Zeeuw's weak clearing header.

George McCartney soon wasted a good opportunity for the Hammers, lashing into the side-netting, before Etherington fired a free-kick well wide.

But with extra-time looming Cole struck to break home hearts with a clean finish from the edge of the area after Turner's error in judging a long ball forward.

Coventry boss Iain Dowie on an alleged handball in the build-up to West Ham's late winner:
"I do not want to bemoan the referee's decision but yes there was a handball. I'm sure Rob Styles will ring me to say he's got it wrong.

"I am very proud of the players. They could not have done anything more.

"Obviously, it is very galling to lose in that way. There will be a few broken hearts in our dressing room."

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley:
"Coley's worked ever so hard and deserved his goal.

"I hope it gives him more confidence because we play next at Upton Park and I hope he carries on.

"He has had to wait for his chance and he is now grabbing it. He is there, he has got a chance."

Coventry 1 Colchester 0 - 27/10/2007

Coventry 1 Colchester 0 - 27/10/2007

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, David McNamee, Marcus Hall, Arjan De Zeeuw, Ben Turner, Isaac Osbourne, Michael Doyle, Julian Gray (Jay Tabb 90), Michael Mifsud, Leon Best (Robbie Simpson 66), Kevin Kyle (Dele Adebola 60),
Subs not used: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Ellery Cairo
Booked: Isaac Osbourne 75, Kevin Kyle 47
Goals: Michael Mifsud 81

Colchester United: Aidan Davison, George Elokobi (Adam Virgo 87), Matthew Connolly, Pat Baldwin, Danny Granville (Kevin McLeod 56), Karl Duguid, Kemal Izzet, Johnnie Jackson, Mark Yeates, Clive Platt (Teddy Sheringham 60), Kevin Lisbie,
Subs not used: Dean Gerken, Kevin Watson
Booked: Pat Baldwin 53
Sent off: Teddy Sheringham 90

Attendance: 23431
Referee: R Lee

Teamtalk

Michael Mifsud rescued Coventry from yet another goalless day's work with his brilliant late strike sinking 10-man Colchester 1-0 at The Ricoh.

The Sky Blues' top scorer was the shining light in what was otherwise a desperate Championship performance by the administration-threatened club.

They were on course for a fourth game without a goal until manager Iain Dowie switched Mifsud from the right to a more central role and the move paid off in spectacular fashion with just eight minutes remaining.

Colchester's frustration boiled over in stoppage-time when substitute Teddy Sheringham was sent off for elbowing City skipper Michael Doyle.

Injury forced Dowie into changes, with defenders Arjan de Zeeuw and Marcus Hall both making their first starts for five weeks, while Leon Best was also drafted in.

Karl Duguid returned to captain Colchester after missing the last two games with an ankle injury.

After their recent struggles, Coventry must have been relieved to face a side with only one away win all season.

But Tuesday night's confidence-sapping 3-0 defeat to Watford appeared to have taken its toll as they toiled to break down the well-organised visitors.

Colchester had the first effort on goal, Kemi Izzet's long-range volley well over after two minutes.

At the other end, De Zeeuw flicked a header wide from Doyle's corner.

Mifsud was patently Coventry's most threatening outlet and he almost slid Best in behind.

It was turgid, aimless stuff at times although Colchester's Clive Platt, who turned 30 on Saturday, could have ended the malaise had he got more power on a glancing header.

United goalkeeper Aidan Davison almost embarrassed himself when he flapped at a Doyle free-kick but the mistake went unpunished.

The two sides boasted only one clean sheet in the league each this season so hope of a goal remained after half-time.

Kevin Kyle's yellow card for a striker's tackle on Duguid demonstrated the aggression Coventry had been lacking, even if it was misdirected.

But it was Colchester who looked more threatening early on, top scorer Mark Yeates heading Granville's cross over.

A raft of substitutions followed, including Kyle for Dele Adebola and Platt for Sheringham.

Another jinking Mifsud run ended with a weak left-foot finish as City upped the tempo considerably.

But it was substitute Robbie Simpson who so nearly broke the deadlock moments after coming on as his header from Doyle's corner was cleared off the line.

Simpson's arrival allowed Mifsud to play through the middle.

He began popping up all over the place and was flagged offside when through on goal.

Kevin Lisbie was then presented with what appeared a golden opportunity for Colchester but his close-range volley was somehow blocked by Andy Marshall.

But the only moment of genuine quality in the entire afternoon proved to be the winner as Mifsud took aim from 25 yards and his low strike flew in off the post.

The home side almost wrapped up the win when Adebola's left-foot strike was beaten out by Davison.

But Colchester offered little in the way of a response other than Sheringham's uncharacteristic loss of control.

CCFC
A late goal from top scorer Michael Mifsud gave the Sky Blues a morale boosting victory over Colchester at the Ricoh Arena.

The Maltese striker struck in the 82nd minute as Iain Dowie's men ended a stuttering October in the Championship on a high.

City dominated possession throughout but struggled to apply the finish to a number of chances until Mifsud struck from the edge of the area.

Veteran former England striker Teddy Sheringham was sent off in stoppage time for the visitors, who went closest when Kevin Lisbie was denied by Andy Marshall in the second-half.

Arjan de Zeeuw, one of three changes to the side which were beaten 3-0 by league leaders Watford in midweek, headed a Michael Doyle cross wide early on while Colchester goalkeeper Aidan Davison rushed out of his goal to save at the feet of Leon Best as City set about putting a disappointing week behind them from the outset.

A header from Clive Platt at the other end was well held by Andy Marshall before the home 'keeper was almost left red faced as a Danny Granville cross almost looped over him, but Marshall adjusted well to push the ball away from danger.

Julian Gray is challenge by Kem Izzet

The closest the Sky Blues came to breaking the deadlock arrived midway through the half when Davison lost the ball in the area and a goalmouth scramble ensued, but neither Best or Kevin Kyle could force the ball home.

A weak Mifsud shot which was comfortably gathered by Davison aside, action at either ends of the pitch was at a premium at the start of the second-half.

That was until the introduction of substitutes Dele Adebola and Robbie Simpson, with the latter seeing a goal-bound header from a Doyle corner hacked off the line by Kem Izzet.

Adebola then flashed a header over the bar before a dubious offside flag denied Mifsud when through on goal.

But Colchester almost snatched a goal with their first real effort of the second-half on 78 minutes when Lisbie found space to shoot in the area only for Marshall to spread himself well and block the striker's powerful drive at his near post.

The elusive opener finally arrived eight minutes from time though - and it went the way of the home side.

Mifsud picked up the ball 35-yards from goal and cleverly turned away from his man to open up space before unleashing a low shot past Davison which ricocheted off defender Pat Baldwin before finding the net via the inside of the post.

Good saves from Davison then kept out Adebola and Mifsud while JulianGray fired over as City finished strongly and the U's were reduced to 10-men in stoppage time when substitute Teddy Sheringham was given a straight red card for an elbow on Doyle.

City celebrate Michael Mifsud's late winner

4thegame
Michael Mifsud scored another valuable goal as Coventry City recorded only their second win in nine games.

The Malta international struck with just nine minutes left in very poor game.

There looked little on when Mifsud cut in from the right before letting fly with a shot which took a small deflection on its way past Aidan Davison.

The game ended in controversy when former England international Teddy Sheringham was red carded to directing an elbow aimed at Coventry skipper Michael Doyle.

Sky Blues boss Iain Dowie will have been pleased to see a match after a week of speculation that he may be on his way to Leicester City and endless takeover talks.

The Coventry manager made changes after the comprehensive midweek defeat at the hands of Watford, but again there was not noticeable reaction from his players as they struggled to really break Colchester down.

They had more of the ball but their play in the final third let them down all too often.

In fact it was the visitors - who started the day one point behind Coventry - that made the first impression when Kemal Izzet fired over the bar in only the second minute.

Coventry then began to get a grip on midfield and for a while forced Colchester back into their own half but without really making their superiority count.

George Elokobi was enjoying a battle royal with little Mifsud and, by and large, was handling the Malta international.

Colchester may have had less of the ball but carved out the best chance of the first half when, in the 19th minute Danny Granville beat Mifsud and crossed in for Clive Platt whose glancing header forced Andy Marshall into a save.

Granville then went closer when his floated cross threatened to float over the keeper and into the net.

Both managers made early changes but, while the urgency increased, the quality didn't.

Coventry did continue to press and were rewarded when Mifsud provided a much-needed flash of inspiration.

That opened the game up and a frantic final few minutes was capped by Sheringham's red mist moment.

Coventry 0 Watford 3 - 23/10/2007

Coventry 0 Watford 3 - 23/10/2007

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Isaac Osbourne, Elliott Ward, Gary Borrowdale (Arjan De Zeeuw 26), Ben Turner, Stephen Hughes (Robbie Simpson 45), Michael Doyle, David McNamee, Julian Gray (Leon Best 72), Michael Mifsud, Kevin Kyle,
Subs not used: Jay Tabb, Dele Adebola
Booked: David McNamee 19, Ben Turner 81

Watford: Richard Lee, Jordan Stewart, Lloyd Doyley, Jay Demerit, Daniel Shittu, Adam Johnson, Tommy Smith (Jobi McAnuff 58), Gavin Mahon, John O'Toole, Darius Henderson (Tamas Priskin 76), Marlon King (Nathan Ellington 79),
Subs not used: Adrian Mariappa, Scott Loach
Booked: Jordan Stewart 40, Jay Demerit 38
Goals: Adam Johnson 30, Marlon King 42, Darius Henderson 46

Attendance: 17032
Referee: L Probert

Teamtalk
Marlon King scored one and created the other two as Championship leaders Watford cruised to a 3-0 victory over Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

King set up Adam Johnson for the Hornets' first after half an hour before scoring his fourth goal in as many games to double the lead two minutes before the break, firing home Danny Shittu's flick-on from a Jordan Stewart free-kick.

The game was put beyond doubt just seconds into the second half when King laid on Darius Henderson, whose early shot appeared to catch City goalkeeper Andy Marshall off guard.

Sky Blues boss Iain Dowie made two changes to the side defeated by Plymouth on Saturday, recalling Kevin Kyle and David McNamee, while opposite number Adrian Boothroyd named an unchanged side as his side went in search of a fourth straight victory.

Stephen Hughes' well-struck free-kick in the third minute was as close as the home side came to making a breakthrough but even that fizzed comfortably over Richard Lee's crossbar.

King's usually reliable predatory instincts deserted him in the 20th minute when he wasted the first real opportunity of the game.

Having shrugged off Elliott Ward's challenge, King found himself clean through but shot straight at Marshall before his second effort cannoned off the outside of the right post for a goal kick. The leaders began to up the tempo and two minutes later only the superb reactions of Marshall denied John-Joe O'Toole from point-blank range before the ball was scrambled to safety.

Dowie had already been dealt a blow today when it was announced a transfer embargo had been placed on the club after they fell behind in repayments to Southampton for the transfer of Leon Best - who was named among the substitutes.

The sight of Gary Borrowdale being stretchered off in the 25th minute will hardly have helped his mood, with the left-back replaced by Arjan de Zeeuw.

And his day got even worse when on-loan Middlesbrough winger Johnson opened the scoring, popping up unmarked at the far post to drill King's lofted ball into the bottom-right corner.

The goal was no more than Watford deserved and it was no surprise when King made it two just before the break, swivelling to smash the ball beyond Marshall with a typically clinical finish.

Watford began the second half just as they finished the first, with King again instrumental, finding strike partner Henderson in space before he found the right corner.

With the game sewn up, Watford began to sit back and Coventry could count themselves unfortunate not to pull one back when Ben Turner's header was cleared off the line.

City substitute Robbie Simpson should have done better from Kyle's cross when he rose unchallenged in the 63rd minute but his header was well over the bar.

Shittu could have made it four down the other end moments later with a low shot from 25 yards and Hornets replacement Tamas Priskin was particularly wasteful when sent through in the 77th minute.

The Hornets' other two substitutes, Jobi McAnuff and Nathan Ellington almost combined to successful effect with five minutes left with the former West Brom striker narrowly missing the winger's ball across the face of goal.

Michael Mifsud wasted the best of three excellent late chances for City, capping a miserable night for Dowie's side.

CCFC

The Sky Blues tasted defeat for the second time in four days as Watford ran out deserved winners at the Ricoh Arena.

Clinical first-half strikes from Adam Johnson and Marlon King did the damage before Darius Henderson put the result beyond doubt seconds after the interval.

Kevin Kyle saw a header cleared off the line and Michael Mifsud fired narrowly wide but City were second best to a clinical performance from the Championship pacesetters.

City boss Iain Dowie made two changes for the visit of the high-flying Hornets with David McNamee replacing the injured Michael Hughes on the right of midfield and Kyle starting in attack ahead of Robbie Simpson.

Stephen Hughes flashed the game's first effort on goal wide from a long-range free-kick with just three minutes on the clock while a speculative volley John-Joe O'Toole from similar distance also whistled past the post at the other end soon after.

The Sky Blues had a combination of goalkeeper Andy Marshall and the post to thank for keeping the scores level as Watford went perilously close to breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute.

Hornets striker King robbed Elliott Ward for pace to reach a long ball over the top but Marshall spread himself well to block the initial shot with his legs before King sent the rebound crashing against the outside of the woodwork.

And Marshall had to be at his best again three minutes later as he reacted superbly to turn away O'Toole's low effort from point-blank range.

Gary Borrowdale was then forced to leave the action on a stretcher after emerging worse off in a challenge. Arjan de Zeeuw replaced the City full-back with Ben Turner swithing to Borrowdale's left-back berth.

But Watford continued to apply the pressure and they got their reward on the half hour when King latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the area and laid the ball off for Adam Johnson, on loan from Middlesbrough, to arrow a low effort beyond Marshall.

Julian Gray sent a cross fizzing across the face of goal as City launched their response and Kevin Kyle sent a header wide from an Isaac Osbourne cross.

However, they found themselves with a mountain to climb three minutes before the interval when the dangerous King latched onto a loose ball in the area and coolly fired into the net on the turn.

And to make matters worse, they added a third straight after the restart when King found Darius Henderson, who got in between de Zeeuw and Ward before unleashing a powerful drive which left Marshall with no chance.

Kyle then saw a header cleared off the line by O'Toole before crossing for Robbie Simpson, a half-time substitute for the injured Stephen Hughes, to head over as City looked for a route back into the match.

But Watford were still looking dangerous on the break with Danny Shittu sending a left-foot rocket from 20-yards flying narrowly wide of the top corner and Marshall racing off his line to smother the ball at the feet of Henderson with 20 minutes remaining.

Another excellent stop from Marshall then prevented Henderson's replacement, Tamas Priskin, grabbing a fourth goal as the Hungarian raced clear of the offside trap.

City continued to pose questions to the Hornets' backline in hope of a consolation as the largely ineffective Mifsud lashed narrowly wide from 25-yards before another substitute, Leon Best, scooped over at the back-post.

Best then forced Watford 'keeper Richard Lee into his first notable save of the match in the 88th minute and there was still time for Mifsud to drag a shot wide.

But a goal didn't come and consequently, the Sky Blues slip into the bottom half of the Championship table.

4thegame
Leaders Watford stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches with an easy victory at under-par Coventry City.

Watford showed their attacking intent from the start and missed two great chances within three minutes to take the lead.

Coventry's Elliott Ward nearly paid for his moment of indecision in the 19th minute when Marlon King dispossessed the centre-half. When King's shot was saved by keeper Andy Marshall, his follow up strike from close range rebounded off the woodwork.

Marshall was again the home team's saviour when Tommy Smith knocked over a right-wing cross which fell to John-Joe O'Toole and the midfielder's header from 6 yards forced a fantastic save from the keeper.

Sky Blues boss Iain Dowie was forced to bring on Arjan De Zeeuw in the 25th minute when Gary Borrowdale left the field on a stretcher following a collision inside the box.

The visitors made their chances count by taking the lead on the half-hour mark. Coventry's 19 year old defender Ben Turner slipped and King pounced to deliver a right-wing cross which fell to Adam Johnson. The on-loan Middlesbrough midfielder let fly with a superb 16-yard strike which gave the keeper no chance.

The Championship leaders doubled their advantage in the 42nd minute. King turned smartly inbetween two Coventry defenders to unleash a firm left-footed shot from close range.

Watford stretched their lead 50 seconds into the second-half when Gavin Mahon's pass was touched on by King to Darius Henderson and the striker's volley flew past the helpless Marshall.

The home team finally came close to scoring in the 55th minute when David McNamee's goal-bound header was cleared off the line by O'Toole.

Watford should have added a fourth when substitute Tamas Priskin broke clear but with only the keeper to beat, the Hungarian's low effort was saved by an overworked Marshall.

Plymouth 1 Coventry 0 - 20/10/2007

Plymouth 1 Coventry 0 - 20/10/2007

Plymouth Argyle: Luke McCormick, Krisztian Timar, Marcel Seip, Paul Connolly, David Norris, Lee Hodges, Lee Martin, Lilian Nalis, Peter Halmosi (Gary Sawyer 90), Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Barry Hayles
Subs not used: Rory Fallon, Dan Gosling, Nick Chadwick, Akos Buzsaky
Booked: Krisztian Timar 17, David Norris 43, Barry Hayles 90
Goals: Lee Martin 16

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Ben Turner, Elliott Ward, Gary Borrowdale (Kevin Kyle 78), Isaac Osbourne, Michael Hughes, Julian Gray, Michael Doyle, Stephen Hughes, Robbie Simpson (Dele Adebola 57), Michael Mifsud,
Subs not used: David McNamee, Arjan De Zeeuw, Dimitrios Konstantopoulos
Booked: Stephen Hughes 7

Attendance: 11576
Referee: K Hill

Teamtalk
Plymouth Argyle climbed into the Championship's top six after on-loan midfielder Lee Martin scored in a 1-0 home win over Coventry on Saturday.

The Manchester United starlet, who made his first appearance for Argyle as a substitute in the goalless draw at Blackpool prior to the international break, struck the decisive blow after 16 minutes on his first start for the club.

Top scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was the architect with a low cross from the right wing and Martin swept the ball past Andy Marshall from six yards out.

Martin would have opened the scoring moments earlier had Marshall not produced a superb save to keep out the 20-year-old's shot from the edge of the area.

Argyle boss Ian Holloway opted to start with Martin at the expense of Akos Buzsaky, who was rested after returning from international duty with Hungary in midweek.

Holloway made one other change from the side that started against Blackpool two weeks ago with Nick Chadwick making way for Barry Hayles.

Coventry manager Iain Dowie also made two changes. Michael Hughes made his first appearance for the Sky Blues for two months after recovering from a troublesome thigh problem as Jay Tabb dropped to the bench.

Julian Gray returned from a seven-week absence with a knee injury to replace Dele Adebola.

Argyle dominated the early stages and they created the first opening of the game after eight minutes when Hayles headed Lee Hodges' cross over the crossbar from 10 yards.

Martin's goal was reward for the home side's dominance and David Norris went close to doubling the lead midway through the first half when his rising shot narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Martin proved to be a constant menace and he was thwarted by Marshall once again just before the break when his 12-yard shot was tipped over the crossbar by the City goalkeeper.

Coventry offered little in the way of an attacking threat in the first half but they mustered their first effort on goal immediately after the restart.

However, Robbie Simpson's header lacked conviction and was easily fielded by Luke McCormick.

The same could not be said of Krisztian Timar's headed effort eight minutes later when he got on the end of Peter Halmosi's far-post corner. But the Hungarian directed the ball into the side-netting.

Argyle remained the more ambitious side and only another fine save from Marshall, this time at point-blank range to thwart Ebanks-Blake, prevented the hosts from extending their lead.

Martin continued to torment Coventry and when he won a corner midway through the second half, Argyle should really have put the game beyond the visitors. But Marcel Seip headed Halmosi's cross wide from close range.

In the end, Argyle had to settle for just one goal but it was enough to give them only their second win of the season at Home Park, where they still remain unbeaten.

CCFC
The Sky Blues suffered their second successive defeat in the Championship as an early goal from winger Lee Martin settled a game of few chances at Home Park.

The on-loan Manchester United star struck in the 16th minute when he converted Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's cross at the front-post.

City struggled to breakdown a stubborn Pilgrims defence and their best chance arrived in stoppage-time when substitute Kevin Kyle headed agonisingly wide after beating goalkeeper Luke McCormick to a probing free-kick from Stephen Hughes.

Boss Iain Dowie handed recalls to Julian Gray and Michael Hughes in place of Dele Adebola and the injured Jay Tabb as City reverted to a more conventional 4-4-2 formation for the long journey south.

The experienced Barry Hayles headed over the first chance of the match for the home side after eight minutes before Martin jinked inside from the right and fired in a low shot with his left foot which Andy Marshall got down well to save.

But Marshall was left stranded by some static defending moments later as Martin ghosted in ahead of his marker to steer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's right-wing cross into the net at the front post.

City's response saw Stephen Hughes lash a free-kick into the wall after Krisztan Timar had bundled over Michael Mifsud on the edge of the area while David Norris blasted over when well positioned at the other end midway through the half.

Another effort from Norris then dipped just over the crossbar before a speculative volley from the influential Martin was tipped over by Marshall seven minutes before the break.

Captain Michael Doyle fired into the side-netting as the visitors went in search of an equaliser at the start of the second-half before a fierce drive from Mifsud deflected narrowly wide of the target.

Appeals for a penalty were then turned down by referee Keith Hill as Mifsud went to ground under pressure from Hayles in the box.

But City had Marshall to thank again on the hour when the 'keeper saved with his legs to keep out Ebanks-Blake before clawing a free-kick from Peter Halmosi around the post.

A long-range effort from full-back Gary Borrowdale was comfortable gathered by Luke McCormick and then substitute Dele Adebola headed over a teasing cross from Isaac Osbourne.

However, it was the home side who looked the most likely to score late on as Hungarian international Halmosi shot straight at Marshall from a free-kick before flashing another effort from long-range wide.

But the Sky Blues almost snatched a share of the spoils in the dying seconds when another substitute, striker Kevin Kyle, leaped above McCormick to meet Hughes' free-kick only for the ball to whistle narrowly past the far post.

4thegame
Lee Martin marked his full Plymouth Argyle debut with the first-half winner as the Pilgrims edged into the play-off places.

The Manchester United winger stabbed home a cross from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in the 16th minute to extend the Pilgrims' unbeaten home run this season to eight matches.

Goalscorer and provider were at Old Trafford together for four years, as well as spending a joint loan spell at Belgian club FC Antwerp, and their understanding clearly showed.

Martin, signed on a three-month deal a fortnight ago, announced his arrival at Home Park when by taking Ebanks-Blake's pass with a neat bit of skill and firing off a shot that City goalkeeper Andy Marshall just stopped.

The Taunton-born flankman then went one better when he combined again with Ebanks-Blake, who curled in a right-wing cross which Martin poked home at the near post for the game's only goal.

Argyle should have wrapped the game up before half-time as they created a succession of chances.

David Norris fired over from 12 yards when well placed, but went closer when he hooked a shot over his shoulder from the edge of the penalty area.

Martin volleyed another Ebanks-Blake created chance goalwards, only to be thwarted by a finger-tip save from Marshall, who was badly served by his defence throughout.

Coventry were a much better prospect after the interval, but it was the home side who went closest to adding to the scoreline.

One free-kick from Hungarian international Peter Halmosi had Marshall scrambling at the foot of his left-hand post, while another set-piece shot saw the veteran goalkeeper clutch an on-target shot to his chest.

The Ebanks-Blake-Martin partnership nearly reaped further dividends before Coventry came close to stealing a point in time added on, when Julian Gray's lofted free-kick was missed by Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick.

The ball took the merest of touches off Kevin Kyle's head but, fortunately for Argyle, grazed the foot of the post as it went just wide.

Wolves 1 Coventry 0 - 06/10/2007

Wolves 1 Coventry 0 - 06/10/2007

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Wayne Hennessey (Graham Stack 29), Jody Craddock, Michael Gray (Neill Collins 20), Kevin Foley, Gary Breen, Michael Kightly, Karl Henry, Seyi George Olofinjana, Andy Keogh, Stephen Elliott, Stephen Ward (Freddy Eastwood 45),
Subs not used: Stephen Gleeson, Jay Bothroyd
Booked: Michael Kightly 45, Karl Henry 69, Gary Breen 64
Goals: Neil Collins 90

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward, Gary Borrowdale, Ben Turner, Stephen Hughes, Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle, Isaac Osbourne, Robbie Simpson (Leon Best 89), Dele Adebola (Kevin Kyle 75), Michael Mifsud,
Subs not used: David McNamee, Michael Hughes, Kevin Thornton
Booked: Michael Doyle 22, Gary Borrowdale 24, Kevin Kyle 83, Michael Mifsud 55

Attendance: 24338
Referee: K Stroud

Teamtalk
Wolves stole all three points after sub Neill Collins headed a dramatic late winner to beat Midlands rivals Coventry 1-0 in the Championship.

Michael Kightly's ring-wing cross was met by Collins inside the six-yard box deep into injury-time to give victory to a Wolves side that had won just once in their previous six outings.

It was harsh on Coventry after they had dominated for long periods and created the majority of the chances.

A first-half distinctly lacking goalmouth action inevitably ended goalless but the second period was much-improved.

Injury forced the hosts into two substitutions. Michael Gray had to be replaced by Collins in the 20th-minute before Graham Stack made his first league appearance of the season after goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was hurt in a collision with Sky Blues striker Robbie Simpson.

Kightly, who was this week named in Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 squad for their forthcoming European qualifiers, almost celebrated his call-up with a goal after a superb piece of individual skill just before the break.

Kightly flicked the ball through Gary Borrowdale's legs on the right-hand side of the area before unleashing a driven shot that was parried to safety by Andy Marshall. It was the closest that either side had come to a goal.

Coventry's best chance arrived early in the game courtesy of Michael Mifsud but his angled shot from the edge of the area was smothered by Hennessey.

Dele Adebola replaced Leon Best in attack in Coventry's only change from the midweek win against Blackpool.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy named an unchanged side for the third successive Championship match. That meant no starting place again for striker Freddy Eastwood.

Following the goalless draw at Leicester, McCarthy criticised the £1.5million summer signing for his poor performance from the bench and told him he was behind Andy Keogh and Stephen Elliot in the pecking order.

But Eastwood did not have to wait too long for a taste of the action after McCarthy opted to use his third and final substitution to bring the former Southend man on in place of Stephen Ward in a tactical switch at the break. However, Eastwood was again largely ineffective.

The second half was a stark contrast to the preceding 45 minutes with chances in abundance at either end.

Jay Tabb saw a goalbound effort blocked five minutes after the restart before Adebola flashed a 20-yard shot narrowly wide soon after.

Coventry continued to push forward in the early stages of the second half and Stephen Hughes should have done better than place his shot straight at Stack after Simpson had presented him with the chance after 52 minutes.

Immediately at the other end Seyi George Olofinjana fired over the crossbar after he was allowed time and space deep inside the Sky Blues' half.

Coventry came close twice in the space of a minute when Mifsud's 55th-minute shot was repelled by Stack. From the resulting corner Ben Turner's header sailed just wide.

It had been a frantic start to the second period and a comparative lull ensued before Simpson saw his close-range effort blocked by Jody Craddock in the 70th-minute.

Iain Dowie made his first substitution when he handed Kevin Kyle his first appearance for almost two months 15 minutes from time. Adebola was the player to make way for the Scot.

Stack made a save at the foot of his near post to deny Simpson after Michael Doyle's throughball put the former Cambridge United striker in behind the Wolves defence. Collins then pounced to settle the game.

CCFC
The Sky Blues suffered the agony of defeat at its most potent as an injury time header from substitute Neill Collins gave Wolves all three points.

A battle of attrition at Molineux had looked set to end all square with both defences bossing the game from start to finish.

City's best chance fell at the feet of skipper Michael Doyle midway through the second half when the Irishman fired narrowly wide of the target.

Dele Adebola started ahead of Leon Best upfront in boss Iain Dowie's only change to the side which beat Blackpool 3-1 on Tuesday.

And the Sky Blues made a bright start with man-of-the-moment Michael Mifsud forcing Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennesey to parry a low shot before the ball was cleared to safety.

The home side's first effort of the match arrived when clever play by Stephen Ward on the left unlocked the City defence but Stephen Hughes was on hand to divert the winger's dangerous cross behind.

Striker Andy Keogh then shot weakly at Marshall midway through the half before Seyi Olofinjana headed a Michael Kightly cross over the bar shortly after.

A collision between Robbie Simpson and Hennesey on the half hour resulted in the latter limping off with on-loan Reading 'keeper Graham Stack taking over in between the sticks.

Stack's first taste of the action was to watch a Hughes free-kick sail wide before diving to his left to foil Mifsud from ten-yards.

But the best chance of the opening period arrived at the other end in the 40th minute when Karl Henry's pass sent Kightly through on goal only for Andy Marshall to spread himself well and block the winger's shot.

City were the sprightlier of the two sides after the restart and Hughes stung Stack's fingers with a powerful volley before another Mifsud shot was parried by the 'keeper.

A superb block from Jody Craddock then thwarted Simpson at the back-post before Hughes' free-kick was charged down by the wall after a foul on Mifsud sparked a melee in the area.

The visitors continued to frustrate the home side on the counter attack and captain Michael Doyle came desperately close to scoring when he dragged a shot inches wide of the post.

A Kightly corner then flashed agonisingly across the face of goal as the match drew to a close.

But there was still time for Wolves to grab a slightly underserved winner when Collins rose highest in the six-yard box to head Kightly's cross beyond Marshall.

4thegame
Neill Collins produced a late, late show at Molineux to earn Wolves a dramatic victory against Coventry City with a stoppage-time winner.

The Scotland Under-21 international defender rose in a crowded goalmouth to head home a cross from Michael Kightly three minutes into stoppage time.

It earned Wolves a second successive home win but was rough on Coventry boss Iain Dowie and his players.

Coventry, who had ended a run of four league games without a win against Blackpool on Tuesday, should have made it back-to-back victories.

They had enough chances, especially in the second half, to have raced to a comfortable win.

But a dogged defensive display by Wolves and some vital saves by substitute goalkeeper Graham Stack kept Coventry at bay and paved the way for the late heroics from Collins.

Coventry should really have made an early breakthrough as Wolves only came to life as an attacking force in the final five minutes of the first half.

But Michael Mifsud was denied by a smart save from Wayne Hennessey before Robbie Simpson shot weakly and wide after Dele Adebola had chested the ball into his path.

Wolves then lost left-back Michael Gray and Hennessey with hamstring and hip problems in the space of ten minutes before finally making their mark in attack.

Michael Kightly was the spearhead for Wolves and it needed a smart save from Andy Marshall to deny him in the 40th minute.

Kightly then had a goalbound drive deflected away for a corner by Stephen Hughes five minutes later.

The interval came at the wrong time for Wolves and they could not retain the initiative at the start of the second period.

Coventry peppered the Wolves goal but could not find a way through a resolute rearguard. Simpson and Michael Mifsud were both frustrated by Stack.

Simpson was then denied a goal by a last-ditch challenge from Jody Craddock before Hughes had his free-kick blocked.

Skipper Michael Doyle crucially wasted a golden chance to finally break the deadlock 12 minutes from time.

The Irishman was picked out by a great cross-field ball from Jay Tabb and only had Stack to beat but pulled his angled drive across the face of goal.

It was to prove to be a costly miss thanks to the later heroics of Collins.

Coventry 3 Blackpool 1 - 02/10/2007

Coventry 3 Blackpool 1 - 02/10/2007

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward, Ben Turner, Gary Borrowdale (Kevin Thornton 87), Isaac Osbourne, Michael Doyle, Jay Tabb (David McNamee 77), Stephen Hughes, Michael Mifsud, Robbie Simpson, Leon Best (Dele Adebola 57),
Subs not used: Kevin Kyle, Dimitrios Konstantopoulos
Booked: Robbie Simpson 62, Elliott Ward 36, Leon Best 45, Stephen Hughes 63
Goals: Michael Doyle 44(pen), Michael Mifsud 69, Robbie Simpson 86

Blackpool: Paul Rachubka, Kaspars Gorkss, Michael Jackson, Shaun Barker, Danny Coid, David Fox, Keith Southern (Andrew Welsh 75), Wes Hoolahan, Michael Flynn, Andy Morrell (Keigan Parker 67), Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Scott Vernon 74),
Subs not used: Claus Jorgensen, John Hills
Booked: Kaspars Gorkss 45, Gary Taylor-Fletcher 59
Sent off: Kaspars Gorkss 81
Goals: Andy Morrell 32

Attendance: 15803
Referee: M Thorpe

Teamtalk
Coventry continued their impressive form as they came from 1-0 down to beat 10-man Blackpool 3-1 in an entertaining clash at the Ricoh Arena.

A Michael Doyle penalty cancelled out Blackpool striker Andy Morrell's headed opener and second-half strikes from prolific striker Michael Mifsud and Robbie Simpson gave Coventry a convincing victory after Seasiders full-back Kaspars Gorkss was dismissed late on.

The last time these two teams met in the league, the Sky Blues ran out 2-0 winners but Blackpool have come a long way since that day in 1971 and have been in impressive form since graduating to the Championship following their dramatic play-off final victory in May.

And it was the Seasiders who made the breakthrough as they capitalised on some lacklustre Coventry defending to take a 32nd-minute lead courtesy of former fans favourite Morrell.

Morrell scored 17 goals in three years with City and there was an air of inevitability as the unmarked 33-year-old ghosted in front of the static home defence before flicking on David Fox's free-kick to deceive keeper Andy Marshall and give Blackpool the lead.

There was always going to be goals in this game and when Mifsud drew a foul out of Blackpool defender Danny Coid inside the area in the 44th minute, the referee pointed to the spot and influential midfielder Doyle duly dispatched the resulting penalty to make it 1-1 at the break.

The second-half resumed as the first finished and Gary Taylor-Fletcher should have restored the Tangerines' lead but his header flew over the crossbar three minutes after the interval.

Coventry boss Iain Dowie introduced veteran striker Dele Adebola for the ineffective Leon Best four minutes before the hour mark as he urged his team to press for another goal and the big striker caused immediate confusion.

Adebola exposed the visiting defence with an exquisite through-ball to release diminutive strike partner Mifsud who made no mistake in the one-on-one situation to score his fourth goal in three games and give Coventry a 2-1 lead in the 69th minute.

Mifsud has been in eye-catching form recently and scored twice in the memorable 2-0 Carling Cup win over Premier League Champions Manchester United last week.

He and Adebola looked perfectly in synch and when Mifsud played his partner through in the 80th minute, Blackpool's Latvian full-back Gorkss hacked him down in desperation - leaving the referee with little option but to show the red card.

The Sky Blues soon capitalised on their numerical advantage and Simpson stole in to head home after a goalmouth scramble in the 84th minute to compound the Seasiders' misery.

CCFC
Coventry came from a goal behind against Blackpool to record a comprehensive victory in front of the lowest ever league attendance at the Ricoh Arena.

Just under 16,000 fans turned out to see goals from Michael Doyle (penalty), Michael Mifsud and Robbie Simpson cancel out former City man Andy Morrell's opener for the visitors.

Iain Dowie opted to make one unforced change for the tie, bringing Isaac Osbourne back into the starting eleven in place of David McNamee, who started on the bench.

City began brightly, creating a couple of opportunities in the first eight minutes. First, Simpson cut in from the right to conjure an opening for himself, although he fired straight at 'Pool keeper Paul Rachubka, before man of the moment Mifsud found the side netting from a tight angle.

The visitors played some neat stuff and it was not hard to see how they had gone seven matches unbeaten before this fixture - their last five league encounters all ending in draws.

And in the 33rd minute it was Blackpool who took the lead and you could have bet on the man to score the opener - former City striker Andy Morrell, who got the faintest of headers on a David Fox free-kick to leave Andy Marshall rooted to the spot as the ball found the bottom corner of the net.

There were some question marks over whether it should have been a free-kick in the first place, especially from Stephen Hughes who felt he had won the ball fair and square, although that was irrelevant with the score at 1-0.

With time ticking away before the interval, the Sky Blues got back into the match in the 43rd minute through a Michael Doyle penalty, the Irishman dispatching his spot kick superbly after Mifsud was brought down in the area by Danny Coid.

With the second half ten minutes old, Dowie made the first switch, introducing Dele Adebola for Leon Best and the introduction of the powerful striker gave City more presence up front.

In the 67th minute Shaun Barker nearly turned the ball into his own net, but was saved by some excellent goalkeeping from former Manchester United man Rachubka.

But just two minutes later the Sky Blues deservedly took the lead as Mifsud continued his hot streak in front of goal.

The Maltese international was played clean through by Adebola and made no mistake as he slotted coolly under the oncoming Rachubka.

With nine minutes remaining Blackpool's task of getting back into the match was made even harder when defender Kaspars Gorkss was red-carded for a professional foul, bringing down Adebola as he tore through on goal looking to out the result beyond any doubt.

Which is exactly what Robbie Simpson did in the 86th minute as a goalmouth melee ended with the former Cambridge City man heading over the line to score his first league goal for the Sky Blues.

After an even opening 45 minutes, City took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half to eventually win at something of a canter and could well have grabbed at least a couple more goals before the final whistle.

4thegame
Man-of-the-moment Michael Mifsud scored his fourth goal in three games to help Coventry hit back to beat Blackpool at the Ricoh Arena.

The Seasiders had taken the lead through Andy Morrell, but goals from Michael Doyle, Mifsud and Robbie Simpson gave Coventry their first Championship win in five matches.

Coventry had started the first half slowly and the visitors' superior passing helped create the opening goal.

Stephen Hughes conceded a free-kick 35 yards out after a needless foul in the 32nd minute. David Fox whipped a teasing ball into the crowded Coventry box and former-Sky Blues favourite Morrell gently glanced a header past goalkeeper Andy Marshall.

Coventry looked weak going forward, but a spark of Maltese magic from Mifsud helped win a penalty in the 43rd minute.

The striker had raced past left-back Danny Coid on the right side of the area, only to be tripped. Referee Mike Thorpe pointed to the spot and Coventry captain Doyle coolly placed the ball into the top-right corner of Paul Rachubka's goal.

Coventry started the second half strongly and kept Blackpool on the back-foot for the entire period.

Early attempts from Doyle and Leon Best caused Blackpool concern, and right-back Shaun Barker nearly scored an own goal in the 66th minute from a Coventry corner.

But it was substitute Dele Adebola, who had entered play ten minutes earlier for Best, who crafted City's second goal with a slick throughball to Mifsud. The man they call 'mosquito' composed himself and fired the ball past Rachubka to grab his seventh goal of the season.

To add to Blackpool's woes, defender Kaspars Gorkss was given a straight red card for bringing down Adebola as the Nigerian raced towards goal.

And the away team's misery was complete when they failed to clear a messy corner and Robbie Simpson knocked the ball into the net five minutes from time to make it 3-1.