Coventry 2 Ipswich 1 - 29/12/2007

Coventry 2 Ipswich 1 - 29/12/2007

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Ben Turner, Arjan De Zeeuw, Gary Borrowdale, Stephen Hughes (Elliott Ward 89), Isaac Osbourne, Jay Tabb (Kevin Thornton 51), Michael Doyle, Julian Gray (Liam Davis 45), Michael Mifsud, Dele Adebola,
Subs not used: Donovan Simmonds, Lee Hildreth
Booked: Arjan De Zeeuw 45, Gary Borrowdale 79
Goals: Julian Gray 11, Dele Adebola 64

Ipswich Town: Neil Alexander, Fabian Wilnis, Chris Casement (Liam Trotter 89), Jason De Vos, David Wright, Tommy Miller, Danny Haynes, Owen Garvan, Pablo Gonzalez Counago (Gavin Williams 72), Jonathan Walters, Alan Lee (Jordan Rhodes 81),
Subs not used: Shane Supple, Matthew Richards
Booked: Tommy Miller 71, Danny Haynes 85
Sent off: Tommy Miller 86

Attendance: 18346
Referee: I Williamson

Teamtalk
Dele Adebola's composed strike gave Coventry a much-needed 2-1 win over 10-man Ipswich in their Championship clash at the Ricoh Arena.

Julian Gray tapped in a rebound to give Iain Dowie's side an early lead but it was Ipswich who dominated the rest of the first half and they pulled level when Danny Haynes headed in after David Wright had rattled the underside of the crossbar.

But Adebola then clinically finished the first chance of the second period before Tommy Miller was harshly sent off to ensure that Jim Magilton's side continued their awful away form.

Town have the best home record in the division but are yet to win away and again looked vulnerable in defence.

After the 2-0 defeat at Leicester on Boxing Day Magilton admitted that his side cannot be considered promotion candidates until they improve on their travels and the familiar deficiencies were again on show and they should have gone behind inside two minutes.

A simple long ball forward was misjudged by Ipswich captain Jason De Vos under pressure from Adebola and Michael Mifsud capitalised to nip in.

The Malta striker took a touch to steady himself but fired narrowly over from 15 yards with just Neil Alexander to beat.

It was a golden opportunity but the hosts did take the lead in the 11th minute after another mistake from De Vos.

Again he misread a long ball and after he dived in Adebola took the ball off his toes and charged in on goal.

The burly striker could have shot but wisely squared the ball across the six-yard box to Mifsud and while Alexander parried his effort, Gray was on hand to apply a simple finish with his right foot.

Ipswich forward Pablo Counago then brilliantly span away from three defenders before playing in strike partner Alan Lee and he had a strong claim for a penalty turned away by referee Ian Williamson after he was clattered by Arjan de Zeeuw.

Magilton's side continued to dominate and Counago was only denied an equaliser by a fine one-handed save from Andy Marshall after he had firmly met Haynes' right-wing cross from eight yards with a header. But the Tractor Boys deservedly got their goal in the 42nd minute.

Full-back Wright let fly with a fine effort from 25 yards and while Marshall did superbly to tip it onto the crossbar, Haynes reacted quickest to head in the rebound.

Dowie had to replace Gray at the break with a calf injury while Jay Tabb had to come off shortly after with an ankle injury.

The game struggled to match the entertainment of the first half and it was a surprise when the home side regained the lead out of nothing in the 64th minute.

Substitute Liam Davis collected a loose ball in midfield and drove infield before feeding a delicate throughball into Adebola.

The big striker took a deft touch to take him clear of Wright before coolly rolling the ball beyond Alexander with his left foot.

Fellow sub Kevin Thornton then flashed a dangerous ball across the face of the goal which was narrowly missed by Mifsud before Thornton went close with an audacious effort from 40 yards after Alexander miscued a clearance.

Miller was then booked twice in quick succession for fouls to complete another miserable day on the road for Magilton.

CCFC
City rounded off 2007 with their first win at the Ricoh Arena since October against travel-sick Ipswich.

Dele Adebola grabbed the winner in the second-half, slotting home after good work from substitute Liam Davis.

Winger Julian Gray had put the Sky Blues ahead early on following good work from Adebola but Ipswich, without an away win all season, deservedly levelled just before half-time through winger Danny Haynes.

The visitors also ended the game with ten-men after midfielder Tommy Miller was sent-off for a second booking five minutes from time.

The inclusions of Gray and Adebola in place of the injured David McNamee and suspended Leon Best were the only changes to the side beaten 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.

The Sky Blues began brightly with Michael Mifsud squandering an excellent chance to open the scoring within the opening two minutes.

The Maltese star raced onto a loose back-pass from Ipswich skipper Jason De Vos but rifled over with only keeper Neil Alexander to beat.

However, the opening goal arrived in the eleventh minute when Adebola capitalised on a slip from De Vos and unselfishly squared the ball for Mifsud, who forced an instinctive save from Alexander, but Gray was on hand to sweep home the rebound at the back-post.

Ipswich could have levelled shortly after Haynes found space in the area, but Andy Marshall was alert to snatch the ball off the nippy winger.

The visitors then felt they should have had a penalty when Alan Lee tumbled under the challenge of Ben Turner but referee Iain Williamson waved away their claims before Lee saw a shot from the resultant move comfortably saved by Marshall.

City were indebted to an excellent save from Marshall on the half hour as the keeper pushed Pablo Counago's header from a Haynes cross over the crossbar from point-blank range.

But the equaliser did arrive four minutes before the break when a fierce long-range effort drive from defender David Wright was brilliantly pushed onto the crossbar by Marshall only for Haynes to head the follow up into the unguarded net.

A header from Jon Walters was then deflected off target before the home side's response saw Mifsud send a powerful shot dipping narrowly over from 25-yards on the stroke of half-time.

Injuries to Gray at half-time and Tabb just after the interval forced manager Iain Dowie into a double change, with youngsters Liam Davis and Kevin Thornton appearing from the substitutes' bench.

And Davis was heavily involved as the Sky Blues got themselves back in front in the 64th minute.

The young winger drifted inside from the left and played a precise for Adebola in the area, who shrugged off his marker and kept his nerve to slot the ball past Alexander.

De Zeeuw then saw a header hacked off line before Mifsud was centimetres away from turning home a dangerous left-wing cross from the influential Thornton.

Ipswich struggled to test City after that and their task was made all the harder with four minutes left to play as Miller was given a second yellow card for a challenge on Michael Doyle.

4thegame
Coventry City recorded their first home win in two months as Ipswich ended the year without a win away from home since the start of the season.

Iain Dowie had not managed to record a victory since new owner Ray Ranson took control of the club, but Dele Adebola obliged in the 64th minute.

Dowie was forced to make changes after the disappointing defeat to Crystal Palace on Boxing Day, but that meant Michael Mifsud and Adebola were reunited in attack.

Almost from the off, the little and large combination caused Ipswich problems.

Mifsud should have found the net in only the second minute when he raced away from the Ipswich rearguard but simply blasted his shot over the top.

At the other end it was clear that that Pablo Counago was going to be the main threat for the visitors and he almost wriggled into a shooting chance in the fifth minute before being eventually snuffed out.

But it was the Mifsud-Adebola combination which made the first real impact when the home side went in front in the 11th minute.

The big target man escaped the attentions of Jason De Vos and raced to the Town area before squaring a pass to Mifsud.

The Malta international must have thought he had scored but Neil Alexander made a superb save and it was left to Julian Gray to have the decisive touch.

But after that encouraging start, Coventry went into their shell and it was the visitors who began to look more dangerous.

Jon Walters produced the cross the half to put in Danny Haynes only for him to fluff his chance under pressure from Andy Marshall.

Striker Alan Lee had claimed a penalty after 22 minutes when he was challenged by Ben Turner but his protests were waved away.

Keeper Andy Marshall had to be on his toes on the half-hour mark when he did very well to keep his former side at bay by stopping a close range header from Counago.

They got their reward four minutes from the interval when David Wright let fly from 30 yards.

Marshall seemed surprised by the shot but made a good save only for the ball to hit the woodwork and bounce down for Haynes to score.

Coventry needed to up their game and it was the introduction of two young subs which die the trick.

Liam Davis and Kevin Thornton came on early in the second half and suddenly the home side had some added zip.

And the two combined to set up a winner in the 64 minute when Davis' run ended with him slipping in Adebola, who netted his fourth goal of the season.

Town midfielder Tommy Miller was red carded for his second booking with five minutes left.

Coventry 0 Crystal Palace 2 - 26/12/2007

Coventry 0 Crystal Palace 2 - 26/12/2007

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Arjan De Zeeuw, Gary Borrowdale (Kevin Thornton 80), David McNamee (Julian Gray 9), Ben Turner, Stephen Hughes (Dele Adebola 70), Jay Tabb, Isaac Osbourne, Michael Doyle, Leon Best, Michael Mifsud,
Subs not used: Robert Page, Elliott Ward
Booked: Arjan De Zeeuw 87

Crystal Palace: Julian Speroni, Clint Hill, Mark Hudson, Danny Butterfield, Matthew Lawrence, Shaun Derry, Ben Watson, Tom Soares (Carl Fletcher 82), James Scowcroft, Clinton Morrison (Lee Hills 69), Sean Scannell (Paul Ifill 86),
Subs not used: Jose Miguel Fonte, Dougie Freedman
Booked: Shaun Derry 81, Tom Soares 60
Goals: Clinton Morrison 47, Paul Ifill 88

Attendance: 22134
Referee: K Stroud

Teamtalk
Crystal Palace extended their unbeaten run to 11 games with a 2-0 Boxing Day victory over an uninspiring Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

Clinton Morrison netted his 10th Championship goal of the season from 12 yards just two minutes after half-time, before Michael Doyle saw his penalty well saved by Eagles keeper Julian Speroni just after the hour mark.

And the hosts were made to pay when substitute Paul Ifill added a second in the closing stages to wrap up all three points and move Neil Warnock's side closer to the play-off places.

Coventry appeared to be feeling the effects of a heavy Christmas dinner as the visitors flew out of the traps in the opening exchanges.

Sean Scannell and James Scowcroft both forced saves from Sky Blues keeper Andy Marshall in the first five minutes, before Ben Watson also tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area.

The hosts were not helped by an injury to David NcNamee after just nine minutes which saw the right-back replaced by Julian Gray.

Nevertheless, Iain Dowie's side withstood the early barrage and almost took the lead themselves but for quick reactions from Palace keeper Speroni to tip Leon Best's 20-yard effort around a post.

The chance seemed to calm any early nerves for the hosts as they settled into the encounter, yet neither side managed to up the tempo significantly as the half progressed.

Eagles midfielder Ben Watson fired a promising free-kick straight into the Coventry wall just before the half-hour mark, while Mark Hudson headed harmlessly wide just minutes later.

Watson again fired another effort straight at Marshall from distance as the away side began to dominate the closing stages of a half which failed to spark.

Palace continued to apply the pressure after the restart and deservedly got their reward courtesy of Morrison's 47th-minute strike.

Watson delivered an inswinging cross from the left channel which the Republic of Ireland striker did well to latch on to and fire low past Marshall from 12 yards.

Arjan de Zeeuw attempted to drag Coventry back on level terms with a speculative effort which failed to trouble Speroni, before Best headed wide from six yards with the goal at his mercy.

Yet Coventry looked to have been handed a lifeline when Clint Hill was somewhat harshly adjudged to have brought down Best in the area on the hour mark.

But Doyle failed to take advantage of the opportunity as Speroni dived superbly to the bottom right corner to parry his effort to safety.

The Eagles shot stopper was in inspired form and again did well to deny Michael Mifsud's goalbound effort just minutes later.

Dowie introduced Dele Adebola and Kevin Thornton as the game entered the closing stages but the hosts still failed to find their way past a resilient Palace defence.

And it was up to Ifill to secure victory late on from 12 yards as Palace extended Coventry's dismal run to just 1 win in the last 11 meetings between the two sides.

CCFC
Clinton Morrison and Paul Ifill landed the Boxing Day knockout blows as the Sky Blues suffered a second straight defeat in the Championship at the hands of Crystal Palace.

The home side deserved more for their endeavors but were caught napping when Morrison put Palace ahead early on in the second-half.

Skipper Michael Doyle the missed a glorious chance to level when he saw a penalty saved by Eagles goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

And a late strike from substitute Ifill made for a far from happy Christmas for Iain Dowie's men.

Dowie made four changes to the side beaten 4-0 at Blackpool on Saturday with goalkeeper Andy Marshall, defender Arjan De Zeeuw and midfielders Isaac Osbourne and Stephen Hughes replacing Dimi Konstantopoulos, Elliott Ward, the injured Michael Hughes and the suspended Kevin Kyle.

Marshall, making his first appearance since a Carling Cup defeat against West Ham on October 30, was called into action right from the start as he pulled off an excellent double save just ninety seconds into the game.

Tom Soares freed Sean Scannell down the right and the youngster cut inside Gary Borrowdale and sent in a low shot which Marshall did well to parry before reacting quickly to smother at the feet of former Sky Blue James Scowcroft.

Scannell was again in the thick of things in the fifth minute when he found himself in behind the City defence, but his attempted lob was blocked by the onrushing Marshall.

Leon Best battles for the ball

The Sky Blues then lost full-back David McNamee to what appeared to be a reoccurrence of a troublesome hamstring problem, with winger Julian Gray replacing the Scottish star and Osbourne reverting to right-back.

Leon Best was a lively presence upfront for the home side and saw a powerful low drive from the edge of the area turned behind by Speroni before Morrison fired wide at the other end.

Best again went close to grabbing the opener on the half hour when he met Michael Mifsud's dangerous cross, but a deflection off defender Danny Butterfield directed the ball narrowly wide of goal.

A good move involving Best and Mifsud then ended with Doyle stinging Speroni's fingers from 20-yards before City were indebted to Marshall just before the break as the experienced custodian spread himself well to foil Morrison with the Eagles frontman through on goal.

But Marshall was left with no chance two minutes into the second-half as the visitors took the lead.

Ben Watson's free-kick into the area found its way through to Morrison, who coolly tucked the ball into the net from seven yards despite adamant appeals from the Sky Blues for offside against the striker.

Arjan De Zeeuw volleyed wide before Mifsud's centre almost found Jay Tabb at the back post as the Sky Blues looked for a swift response.

They earned a reward for that pressure in the 58th minute when Soares was adjudged to have handled Best's cut-back in the area and referee Keith Stroud pointed to the penalty spot.

Skipper Doyle stepped-up and hit the spot-kick low to Speroni's left, but the keeper guessed correctly to stop the shot before clutching the ball to his chest at the second attempt.

City continued to apply the pressure, though, with Speroni flying to his left to keep out a fierce long-range drive from Stephen Hughes and a last-ditch tackle from Mark Hudson denying Jay Tabb after Mifsud found the midfielder in space.

But, against the run of play, Palace sealed all three points and extended an unbeaten run of results to eleven games with three minutes remaining as substitute Ifill wriggled free of Ben Turner before firing past Marshall in the area with virtually his first touch of the game.

4thegame
Crystal Palace claimed a comfortable three points at the Ricoh Arena thanks to second-half strikes from Clinton Morrison and Paul Ifill.

Morrison slotted home just after the break, before Ifill scored with his first touch after coming on as a late sub.

Coventry had been given an opportunity to get back to 1-1 before that, but Irish midfielder Michael Doyle had a 60th minute penalty saved by Julian Speroni.

Crystal Palace had the best of the early exchanges and young forward Sean Scannell looked particularly dangerous.

The 17-year-old cut past Ben Turner in the Coventry defence in the second minute but his shot from a tight angle was saved by recalled keeper Andy Marshall.

James Scowcroft followed up but his effort was stopped by a combination of Marshall and a City defender.

Scannell went through again after five minutes as the home team's offside trap failed badly and Marshall was forced to save again as he came out to the edge of his area.

Coventry full-back David McNamee limped off after just seven minutes with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Julian Gray.

Iain Dowie's side finally put together a decent move after nine minutes which involved Doyle, Stephen Hughes and Jay Tabb, before Leon Best's low shot was well saved by Speroni.

Marshall set up a chance for Coventry on the half-hour mark with a superb kick to Michael Mifsud. The little striker pulled clear of the Palace defence and crossed for Best who volleyed wide.

From the resulting corner, Hughes was given a free header at the near post but he tried to use his left foot and the chance was lost.

Ben Watson tried his look from distance in the 37th minute but again Marshall was equal to it.

Marshall made another important stop as Morrison looked clean through but the Coventry goalkeeper made himself big and saved well.

But Morrison did open the scoring just after half-time when a free-kick from Watson was allowed to roll through to him and he had all the time in the world to plant his shot into the Coventry net.

Gray did well to cut past two Palace defenders in the 58th minute and crossed for Best who headed wide.

The home team were handed a golden chance to draw level on the hour mark when the referee's assistant spotted Clint Hill tugging at Best in the box.

Doyle stepped up but Speroni saved the penalty low down to his left.

Mifsud broke clear two minutes later but his shot was again repelled by the Palace keeper.

Coventry had improved in the second half and Hughes tried his luck from distance after 68 minutes only for Speroni to save again.

Palace doubled their lead late on when substitute Ifill took advantage of more slack defending to fire past Marshall in the 88th minute.

Blackpool 4 Coventry 0 - 22/12/2007

Blackpool 4 Coventry 0 - 22/12/2007

Blackpool: Paul Rachubka, Stephen Crainey, Ian Evatt, Shaun Barker, Kaspars Gorkss, Claus Jorgensen, Michael Flynn (Andrew Welsh 74), Wes Hoolahan, Andy Morrell (Scott Vernon 83), Gary Taylor-Fletcher (David Fox 45), Ben Burgess,
Subs not used: Bartosz Slusarki, Michael Jackson
Booked: Claus Jorgensen 39
Goals: Wes Hoolahan 28 (pen) Michael Flynn 65, Kaspars Gorkss 72, Scott Vernon 88

Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, David McNamee, Ben Turner, Elliott Ward, Gary Borrowdale, Michael Hughes (Stephen Hughes 69), Michael Doyle, Jay Tabb, Michael Mifsud (Isaac Osbourne 76), Kevin Kyle, Leon Best (Dele Adebola 76),
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Julian Gray
Booked: David McNamee 41, Michael Doyle 34, Leon Best 74, Jay Tabb 90
Sent off: Kevin Kyle 31

Attendance: 8690
Referee: A Taylor

Teamtalk
Coventry striker Kevin Kyle was sent off after 31 minutes to help Championship rivals Blackpool to a thumping 4-0 victory at Bloomfield Road.

Wes Hoolahan's 28th-minute penalty opened the scoring and soon after Kyle was shown a straight red card for an elbow on Blackpool skipper Shaun Barker.

Second-half strikes from Michael Flynn, Kaspars Gorkss and substitute Scott Vernon allowed the Seasiders to canter to their biggest win of the season.

Simon Grayson's men had lost their previous two Championship outings on home soil but they were vibrant from the outset against the Sky Blues.

Indeed, they should have led after just two minutes when midfielder Flynn collected possession 25 yards from goal and hit a low shot which struck a post.

Six minutes later, Blackpool went close again when Hoolahan produced a left-footed strike from 20 yards which drew a smart stop from Coventry goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos.

Coventry threatened fleetingly in the 13th minute when Kyle went close.

A foul by Ian Evatt on Jay Tabb allowed David McNamee to deliver an inswinging free-kick from the left flank which Kyle greeted with a firm header six yards from goal.

However, his effort failed to hit the target and Blackpool breathed again.

Grayson's men always looked the more threatening and in the 19th minute a delightful move almost reaped rich dividends.

The Seasiders worked the ball out to Hoolahan on the left flank and his perfectly-flighted cross was met by the towering figure of striker Ben Burgess, whose header kept Konstantopoulos' hands warm on a bitterly cold afternoon.

Moments layer another Hoolahan cross was met by former Coventry striker Andy Morrell but he could not hit the target from 12 yards.

The breakthrough, however, came shortly before the half-hour mark when Hoolahan fired home from 12 yards after McNamee felled Gorkss in the visitors' 18-yard box.

Kyle's dismissal three minutes later left Coventry a man down with an hour left to play and set the tone for a niggling undercurrent which saw two Coventry players and one from Blackpool booked before half-time.

However, the Seasiders made the extra man pay and doubled their advantage in the 65th minute.

Barker played a long pass through the middle for Flynn to race on and fire coolly into the top corner from 12 yards with a fierce volley.

And with 18 minutes remaining the game was well and truly over as Blackpool claimed their third goal.

David Fox produced a clever cross from the left and Latvian defender Gorkss rose highest to head home his fourth goal of the season.

And substitute Vernon applied the coup de grace two minutes from time when he fired a right-footed shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

CCFC
There was no Christmas cheer for the Sky Blues as Blackpool ran out deserved winners at Bloomfield Road.

Iain Dowie's men struggled to reproduce their excellent away form this season and were on the back foot within 28 minutes when Wes Hoolahan converted a penalty.

Kevin Kyle was given a straight red card for an elbow on home skipper Shaun Barker two minutes later.

The home side doubled their lead on the hour mark as Michael Flynn fired past Dimi Konstantopoulos before Kaspars Gorkss powered a header into the top corner.

Substitute Scott Vernon compounded the Sky Blues' misery two minutes from time when he raced clear and slotted home.

The return of Kyle was the only change to the side which battled to a 1-1 draw at Southampton last weekend as Leon McKenzie failed to shrug off a knee problem.

City survived an early scare when Flynn's 25-yard free-kick took a deflection and cannoned back off the post.

Skipper Michael Doyle then fired a set-piece from a similar distance over the bar while Kyle headed wide from a teasing free-kick from David McNamee.

Former Sky Blue Andy Morrell was proving a nuisance upfront for the Seasiders and went agonisingly close to opening the scoring midway through the half when he headed Hoolahan's left-wing cross narrowly wide from eight yards.

Good vision from Michael Hughes then found Jay Tabb in behind the home defence on the right but his cut-back was hacked away by Ian Evatt with Kyle and Michael Mifsud in close attendance.

Blackpool had appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Anthony Taylor when Ward appeared to push Morrell just inside the area.

But the official was in no doubt moments later as Hungarian defender Gorkss was brought down by McNamee and Hoolahan confidently sent Dimi Konstantopoulos the wrong way from the spot with a low drive to the keeper's left.

Wes Hoolahan celebrates after sending Dimi Konstantopoulos the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Things then went from bad to worse for the visitors on the half-hour when Kyle was dismissed with Taylor claiming the Scottish striker caught Barker with his elbow.

A good save from Konstantopoulos kept out the influential Morrell on the stroke of half-time before a good block from Elliott Ward denied the striker five minutes into the second period.

Barker should have doubled the home side's advantage from Hoolahan's resultant corner but he headed wide despite being allowed a free header in the area.

An unusually quiet Mifsud saw two efforts blocked and Leon Best's deflected drive was comfortably held by Blackpool 'keeper Paul Rachukba as City looked for a response.

Their task was made all the harder in the 65th minute, though, when Flynn latched onto a long ball from Evatt just inside the area and planted a powerful shot beyond Konstantopoulos.

The result was put beyond doubt in the 72nd minute when a close-range header from Gorkss skimmed the head of Gary Borrowdale before flying into the top corner.

Substitute Scott Vernon then found himself in behind the City back-line and coolly slotted the ball past Konstantopoulos from eight yards to complete the rout.

4thegame
Blackpool celebrated manager Simon Grayson's decision to sign a new two-year contract by securing their most comprehensive win of the season.

It was the first time the Seasiders have scored four goals in the Championship this season, and it could have been many more.

Coventry were a typical Iain Dowie outfit playing hard physical football which soon got them on the wrong side of referee Anthony Thompson.

On 31 minutes he red carded City striker Kevin Kyle for a crude off-the-ball elbow on Blackpool skipper Shaun Barker.

Four more Coventry players were to follow their way into the referee's book for yellow cards for similar fouls.

A rash challenge on 28 minutes by David McNamee took out Kaspars Gorkss from behind and the referee awarded a penalty which Wes Hoolahan converted for his sixth goal of the season.

Even though Hoolahan and Michael Flynn were pulling the strings in midfield, it took a long time for Blackpool to finally make the game safe.

Time after time they fell foul of the Coventry offside trap before it was finally sprung in the 65th minute. A long ball by Barker was well controlled by Flynn who turned nicely to score from 15 yards.

Blackpool's third swiftly followed with Gorkss heading home well from Hoolahan's corner. Substitute Scott Vernon made it four on 88 minutes after a mistake by McNamee.

Coventry's problems were underlined by the fact that they didn't force Blackpool keeper Paul Rachubka into one meaningful save all afternoon.

Afterwards City manager Dowie said: "That was our worst performance I've seen.

"We shall have to see what sort of character the dressing room has after that.

"We gave too many goals away just as we were beginning to get on top. I shall be looking at the video to see whether or not to appeal my players' sending off."

Coventry 1 Southampton 1 - 15/12/2007

Coventry 1 Southampton 1 - 15/12/2007

Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, David McNamee, Gary Borrowdale, Elliott Ward, Ben Turner, Jay Tabb (Isaac Osbourne 79), Michael Doyle, Michael Hughes, Leon Best (Dele Adebola 72), Michael Mifsud, Leon McKenzie (Julian Gray 69)
Subs not used: Stephen Hughes, Andy Marshall
Booked: David McNamee 58, Michael Hughes 20
Goals: Jay Tabb (19)

Southamptonl: Kelvin Davis, Andrew Davies, Alan Bennett, Rudolf Skacel, Andrew Surman, Adam Hammill (John Viafara 68), Youssef Safri, Jermaine Wright, Bradley Wright-Phillips (Marek Saganowski 83), Jason Euell, Stern John
Subs not used: Bartosz Bialkowski, Darren Powell, Grzegorz Rasiak

Goals: Bradley Wright-Phillips (59)

Attendance: 19143
Referee: N Swarbrick

Teamtalk
Bradley Wright-Phillips' header rescued a point for Southampton and ensured that Coventry's new era started with a 1-1 draw at the Ricoh Arena.

Coventry look set to avoid administration following Friday's takeover by SISU Capital - the consortium spearheaded by former footballer Ray Ranson which had shown an interest in investing in Southampton earlier this season.

A quirk of fate meant Ranson finally met some of Southampton's shareholders and directors in the boardroom before Saturday's game.

Jay Tabb got Ranson's reign up and running after 19 minutes when a shot from the edge of the area by Michael Mifsud hit Jason Euell and ricocheted into the path of Leon McKenzie.

His shot was saved by the out-stretched leg of Kelvin Davis but the ball looped up for Tabb to head into an unguarded net from close range.

Southampton equalised just before the hour mark following a foul by David McNamee on Andrew Davies.

Former Sky Blues midfielder Youssef Safri was the architect. His free-kick found Euell on the right-hand side of the area and his pinpoint cross was headed in at the far post by Wright-Phillips.

Stern John thought he had given Southampton the lead against his old club after just three minutes when he headed home after Wright-Phillips' shot was parried by Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, but the flag went up for offside.

Tabb prodded the ball wide following a pull-back from former Saints striker Leon Best and Davis produced a superb save to keep out McKenzie's deflected shot.

But there was little Davis could do to prevent Tabb from scoring soon after.

Southampton came close to an equaliser just before the break. Wright-Phillips played a neat one-two with John on the edge of the area but his goalbound shot was bravely blocked by Ben Turner.

Best should have doubled Coventry's advantage in the final minute of the half but he headed McKenzie's cross over the crossbar.

Best threatened again at the start of the second half but his shot was comfortably smothered by Davis.

Best tried to work another opening soon after but he was thwarted by some good defending by Jermaine Wright.

Despite Coventry's bright start to the second half it was Southampton who equalised through Wright-Phillips in the 59th-minute.

The diminutive striker could have won it for Southampton 12 minutes from time when he was put clear through on goal by Surman.

But as Konstantopolous raced from his line to narrow the angle, Wright-Phillips steered the ball agonisingly wide.

Coventry captain Michael Doyle almost embarrassed Davis with a mis-hit free-kick from 40-yards which hit the crossbar before being pushed to safety by the Saints goalkeeper.

CCFC
The Sky Blues began life under new ownership with a closely contested draw against Southampton at the Ricoh Arena.

Jay Tabb put the home side ahead in the 19th minute when he headed home from close-range.

City failed to make the most of an excellent first-half performance and paid the price in the second-half when Bradley Wright-Phillips headed the Saints level.

Before kick-off outgoing City chairman Joe Elliott was given a rapturous applause from the Sky Blues faithful for his efforts in sealing a takeover deal with the SISU Capital consortium led by Ray Ranson.

But the home side, who welcomed back top goalscorer Michael Mifsud for the clash in just one change to the side which lined-up in last weekend's abandoned match at Sheffield Wednesday, could have found themselves on the back foot inside the opening five minutes.

Southampton had the ball in the net when former City striker Stern John pounced on a rebound after Dimi Konstantopoulos saved Wright-Phillips' close-range effort, but referee Neil Swarbrick deemed the Trinidad & Tobago star was in an offside position.

It was just the kind of wake-up call the Sky Blues needed and they soon took control of the game with captain Michael Doyle poking the ball wide after good work from Leon Best in the area and Saints 'keeper Kelvin Davis reacting well to stop a deflected effort from Michael Hughes.

Leon Best jumps for the ball

Leon McKenzie, still searching for his 100th career goal, then saw a glancing header produce another good save from Davis before playing a major role in the opening goal just past the quarter hour mark.

The ball found its way to the lively striker at the back-post via a blocked effort from Mifsud and he shot straight at the legs of Davis, but Tabb was well placed to head the rebound into the unguarded net on the line.

Mifsud fired into the side-netting from an acute angle and McKenzie forced another good save out of Davis as City looked to catch the visitors with their heads down.

But they were indebted to defender Ben Turner just before the break as he produced a tremendous block to deny the tricky Wright-Phillips.

Best headed narrowly over right at the end of the first-half before seeing a curling 20-yard shot well held by Davis at the start of the second period.

But the Sky Blues were struggling to replicate their first-half pressure and Southampton levelled matters on the hour when Jason Euell's right wing cross was steered beyond Konstantopoulos by the head of Wright-Phillips.

Mifsud had an appeal for a penalty turned down by the referee after falling under the challenge of Alan Bennett but the visitors looked more likely to score again.

Wright-Phillips squandered an excellent chance to double his tally when he dragged a shot wide after finding himself through on goal.

Iain Dowie introduced substitutes Dele Adebola and Julian Gray for Best and an injured McKenzie, but an over-hit Doyle free-kick which bounced off the top of the crossbar was the closest City came to scoring.

4thegame
Coventry City manager Iain Dowie is due to sit down with new owner Ray Ranson on Sunday and will certainly be keen to add to his squad if he is to guide the Sky Blues into the play-offs.

City were hoping to mark their new era with a win, but in the end could well have lost.

Dowie was able to field the line-up which had won so impressively at West Bromwich Albion. Michael Mifsud had missed the game at Hillsborough which was abandoned because of a waterlogged pitch, but he had recovered from his hamstring injury in time to start.

The returning Stern John thought his afternoon had got off to a perfect start when he netted after just five minutes but he had been stranding in an offside position when the ball came to him.

The Trinidad and Tobago international then curled a shot well wide when he should have done better.

Coventry were beginning to get joy down the left flank where Leon McKenzie was looking very sharp.

The former Norwich man forced Kelvin Davis into a save with a header from a Michael Doyle cross in the 15th minute.

The home side's increasing share of the play bore fruit in the 19th minute when Jay Tabb nodded them into the lead.

Again it was McKenzie who was the driving force. He was the first to react when the ball hit Jason Euell and, when his effort was kept out by Davis, Tabb was there to convert.

Both sides had other chances in the half but Coventry went in to the break with a deserved lead.

Southampton needed to show more and they did step up the pace after the break. They started to push Coventry back and spread the ball wide. A goal began to look likely and it came just before the hour mark.

Euell was fed by Youssef Safri and delivered an excellent cross which Bradley Wright-Phillips headed neatly home.

Suddenly it was the visitors that were forcing the pace and Wright-Phillips should have won the game in the 77th minute when Andrew Surman sent him clear with an excellent pass. But he seemed to hurry his shot and it rolled just wide of the target.

Coventry reshuffled their attack and, although it did work to an extent, they never looked likely to record a win.

West Brom 2 Coventry 4 - 04/12/2007

West Brom 2 Coventry 4 - 04/12/2007

West Bromwich Albion: Dean Kiely, Bostjan Cesar (Jared Hodgkiss 45), Carl Hoefkens, Paul Robinson, Leon Barnett, Robert Koren, Jonathan Greening, Chris Brunt, Felipe Teixeira (Pedro Miguel Pele 72), Roman Bednar, Zoltan Gera (Sherjill MacDonald 45)
Subs not used: Luke Steele, Craig Beattie
Booked: Jonathan Greening 57, Paul Robinson 63, Dean Kiely 79
Sent off: Paul Robinson 71
Goals: Roman Bednar 52, Chris Brunt 65

Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Elliott Ward, David McNamee, Ben Turner, Gary Borrowdale, Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle (Isaac Osbourne 88), Michael Hughes, Leon Best (Dele Adebola 87), Michael Mifsud, Leon McKenzie (Julian Gray 82),
Subs not used: Ellery Cairo, Andy Marshall
Booked: Michael Mifsud 89
Goals: Leon Best 6, 83, Michael Mifsud 11, 86

Attendance: 20641
Referee: M Clattenburg

Teamtalk
Crisis-club Coventry put their off-field problems behind them to stun promotion-chasing West Brom with a 4-2 success at The Hawthorns.

The Sky Blues, who have given notice of going into administration if Ray Ranson's proposed takeover collapses, had been beaten 4-0 by Tony Mowbray's side at the Ricoh Arena last month.

But they survived a second-half comeback from Albion, who had recovered from a two-goal deficit, to end a five-game run without a win.

It was the Baggies first home defeat of the season and they ended the game with 10 men after Paul Robinson was sent off for two bookable offences with 20 minutes remaining.

Coventry dominated the opening 45 minutes with Michael Mifsud and Leon Best a constant threat to a wobbly back four who were often exposed down the left flank by Leon McKenzie and Michael Doyle.

Albion looked short of confidence and too often Roman Bednar was isolated up front.

It was a different story after the break as Mowbray's side were revitalised and penned back the Sky Blues for long periods with Chris Brunt impressing on both flanks.

But after Robinson's dismissal, the Sky Blues got their second wind as Best and Mifsud both grabbed their second goals of the game.

Albion made a positive start and Coventry goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos did well to block a close-range effort from Zoltan Gera.

But the Baggies were stunned when the Sky Blues went ahead after six minutes through Best.

He was first to react to a long punt forward from Coventry defender Ben Turner and kept his nerve before coolly lofting the ball over home goalkeeper Dean Kiely into the corner of the net.

Then five minutes later Mifsud, who had been sent off for violent conduct in the first meeting between the sides last month, doubled Coventry's lead.

The Albion defence was ball-watching as McKenzie found himself into yards of space on the left and his cross was headed in by the unmarked Mifsud from close range.

Kiely was called into action again to get his body behind Doyle's low strike after Mifsud had headed a Borrowdale centre back into his path.

Albion boss Tony Mowbray made a double half-time substitution, bringing on Jared Hodgkiss and Sherjill MacDonald in place of Bostjan Cesar and Zoltan Gera.

And within six minutes Bednar had given Albion a life-line with his third goal in three starts.

Robinson delivered a superb left-wing cross and the Czech international made no mistake with a powerful header.

Albion skipper Jonathan Greening became the first player to be yellow card for a crude challenge on Mifsud and then Robinson was needlessly booked for dissent after Coventry were awarded a free-kick.

The home side were now on top and after 65 minutes Brunt brought them back on level terms.

The former Sheffield Wednesday player cut in from the left flank and his low shot flew under the body of Konstantopoulos as Bednar ran across him in the six-yard box.

Albion now looked the more likely team to snatch the three points but they were reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes remaining as Robinson picked up a second yellow card for chopping down Mifsud.

It proved costly as Best restored Coventry's lead as Hodgkiss tried in vain to prevent his shot from crossing the line after Kiely had parried his effort.

Then with five minutes left Mifsud made sure of the points for Coventry from close range - his 13th goal of the season - with Best the creator.

CCFC
The Sky Blues produced a superb display to end West Brom's unbeaten home record in the Championship in a thriller at the Hawthorns.

Leon Best set City on their way in the sixth minute before Michael Mifsud added a second five minutes later.

But the high-flying Baggies rallied after the break and Roman Bednar pulled a goal back before Chris Brunt levelled matters on the hour mark.

Albion defender Paul Robinson was then sent-off and Iain Dowie's men took full advantage as Best put them back ahead before Mifsud but the result beyond doubt late on.

Boss Dowie made five changes to the side beaten 1-0 at home to Sheffield United four days earlier as Best, Mifsud and Leon McKenzie linked-up in attack with Michael Hughes and Elliott Ward also returning in midfield and defence respectively.

And it was a move which paid immediate dividends.

The Sky Blues were ahead inside six minutes as Bostjan Cesar failed to cut out a long ball over the top from Ben Turner and Best ghosted in and lobbed 'keeper Dean Kiely from just inside the area.

Then, just five minutes later Jay Tabb found Leon McKenzie in space on the left and the City striker sent in a dangerous cross which Mifsud headed home unmarked from two yards.

McKenzie should have even added a third goal moments later when he scuffed a shot under pressure with the goal gaping before Tabb dragged an effort wide of the target.

The Baggies' response saw Felipe Teixeira and Robert Koren fire over the bar but the visitors continued to make inroads into the Albion half with skipper Michael Doyle rifling an effort straight at Kiely before almost catching the 'keeper out with a cross-cum-shot which found the side-netting.

Albion boss Tony Mowbray made a double substitution at the break in hope of revitalising his shell-shocked side - and it did just that.

Less than seven minutes had passed in the second-half when Robinson's inviting cross met by a towering header from Bednar at the front post, which left Dimi Konstantopoulos with no chance.

However, the City 'keeper was at fault as the Baggies deservedly drew level in the 64th minute.

Winger Brunt drifted inside from the right and fired in a low effort which crept through Konstantopoulos' hands on its way into the far corner when the Greek stopper looked to have the shot covered.

McKenzie failed to make a firm connection with a Best cross before seeing a shot deflect fortunately into the arms of Kiely as the Sky Blues hit back.

And the game turned on its head again in the 71st minute when left-back Robinson was given a second yellow card by referee Mark Clattenburg for a cynical foul on Mifsud.

Mifsud continued to provide a sprightly presence in attack and was denied by an offside flag when he swept home a loose ball in the area.

Clattenberg came to the fore again in the 78th minute when he elected to book and not send off Kiely after deeming the 'keeper grabbed a probing ball from Hughes outside the box under pressure from Mifsud.

But the Sky Blues continued to apply the pressure and they got their reward eight minutes from time.

Tabb checked inside from the right and squared for Best, who shrugged off Leon Barnett before forcing the ball past Kiely from close-range.

And it got even better three minutes later as a surging run and pass from defender Ward found Mifsud in the area and he exchanged passes with Best to carve open the Albion defence and slot home into an empty net.

4thegame
Leon Best and Michael Mifsud each helped themselves to a double as Coventry City earned a dramatic win against ten-man West Bromwich Albion in a six-goal thriller at The Hawthorns.

Best and Mifsud had fired cash-strapped Coventry into a 2-0 lead after just 11 minutes before Albion launched a stunning second-half fightback.

Roman Bednar, with his third goal in three games, reduced the arrears in the 51st minute before Chris Brunt dragged Albion level 13 minutes later.

But the whole game swung on the 70th minute dismissal of Albion left-back Paul Robinson. He was shown his second yellow card for a foul on Mifsud, just seven minutes after being booked for kicking the ball away.

Coventry took full advantage of their extra manpower with Best reacting first in a crowded goalmouth to drill home a drive at the near post in the 82nd minute.

Best then turned provider six minutes later to set up Mifsud who walked the ball around Dean Kiely for his 13th goal of the season.

It was an extra sweet double for Mifsud who was back in action for the first time since being sent off against Albion last month when City lost 4-0 at the Ricoh Arena.

The win was also well timed for Coventry who are battling to avoid going into administration.

Their success also ended Albion's unbeaten home record in the league as Mowbray's team ran out of steam following a fourth game in nine days.

Albion faced an uphill battle after being stunned by Coventry's quickfire double - ironically only after smart third minute save from Dimi Konstantopoulos had prevented Zoltan Gera breaking the deadlock.

They fell behind just two minutes later after Bostjan Cesar failed to deal with a long ball from Ben Turner.

Best latched on to the pass and muscled his way into the penalty area before lobbing the ball over the advancing Kiely and into an empty net.

Albion were still reeling from that setback when Mifsud took advantage of being in acres of space to pounce inside the six-yard box.

Leon McKenzie surged past right-back Carl Hoefkens after being picked out by Jay Tabb and crossed for Mifsud who had the simple task of steering in a close-range header.

Coventry almost went further ahead two minutes later when Michael Doyle flashed a shot just wide.

Predictably Albion launched a second-half fightback with Bednar heading home a 51st minute cross from Paul Robinson.

Brunt, with his second goal since his £3million summer switch from Sheffield Wednesday, then completed the fightback with an inswinging shot from 20 yards But Robinson's rash bookings then proved the key as Coventry powered on to collect only their fifth win in 13 games.

Coventry 0 Sheffield United 1 - 01/12/2007

Coventry 0 Sheffield United 1 - 01/12/2007

Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, David McNamee (Isaac Osbourne 45), Arjan De Zeeuw, Gary Borrowdale (Wayne Andrews 80), Ben Turner, Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Julian Gray, Jay Tabb, Ellery Cairo (Leon McKenzie 65), Dele Adebola
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward
Booked: Gary Borrowdale 77, Dele Adebola 71

Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny, Gary Cahill, Chris Armstrong, Gary Naysmith, Matthew Kilgallon, Phillip Bardsley, Michael Tonge, Keith Gillespie, Nick Montgomery, David Carney (Danny Webber 84), James Beattie
Subs not used: Stephen Quinn, Paul Gerrard, Jon Stead, Leigh Bromby
Booked: Phillip Bardsley 49
Goals: Chris Armstrong 62

Attendance: 20355
Referee: C Webster

Teamtalk
Chris Armstrong's second-half goal ensured Sheffield United continued their recent impressive away form with a 1-0 victory at Coventry.

The Blades are unbeaten on the road in five matches since winning away from home for the first time this season at Leicester on October 23.

Armstrong, who scored in the midweek win at Charlton, scored his second goal in two games after 62 minutes as Bryan Robson's side recorded their third straight win away from Bramall Lane.

Some lovely work on the edge of the Coventry box by David Carney saw the ball find James Beattie on the right wing.

United's top scorer produced a pin-point cross for the arriving Armstrong to head home from inside the six-yard area.

Coventry manager Iain Dowie made three changes as he switched to a 4-4-1-1 formation.

Dutchman Ellery Cairo was recalled to the starting XI at the expense of Leon McKenzie to play in the hole behind Dele Adebola.

Dowie made two defensive changes with Arjan de Zeeuw and Gary Borrowdale replacing Elliott Ward and Marcus Hall.

Blades boss Robson named the same side that won so emphatically at The Valley.

A largely uneventful game came to life late in the first half following two superb saves by United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

The first came after 33 minutes. Ellery Cairo unleashed a rising shot from the edge of the area that Kenny athletically tipped over the crossbar.

Eight minutes later the Irishman thwarted his compatriot Michael Doyle with a fingertip save to deflect the Coventry captain's 12-yard shot around the post.

Kenny's opposite number Dimi Konstantopoulos was called into action midway through the first half to keep out an effort from Armstrong before the giant Greek produced an equally routine stop to deny Michael Tonge before the break.

Armstrong found the net following the first real threat from either side in the second half and the Blades would have doubled their advantage moments later had De Zeeuw not deflected Tonge's 18-yard shot wide.

Coventry offered little as an attacking threat despite having to chase the game but it was the visitors who came closest to scoring again.

Gary Cahill got on the end of Keith Gillespie's free-kick but the on-loan Aston Villa defender could not keep his header down and directed his effort over the crossbar.

CCFC
The Sky Blues slipped into the bottom half of the table as Sheffield United edged a closely contested clash at the Ricoh Arena.

A 61st minute header from Chris Armstrong was enough to give Bryan Robson's Blades victory and stretch City's winless streak in the Championship to four matches in the Championship.

Iain Dowie's men battled hard in search of an equaliser but struggled to break through the visitors' stubborn resistance.

Their best chances arrived in the first-half where Ellery Cairo, skipper Michael Doyle and Dele Adebola all failed to find a way past Paddy Kenny.

Dowie was forced into a last minute change ahead of the game full-back Marcus Hall missed out with an Achilles injury and Gary Borrowdale stepped-in for his first appearance since suffering an ankle injury in October.

Arjan De Zeeuw also returned at the back while winger Cairo made his sixth start of the season in place of Leon McKenzie after impressing as a late substitute against Scunthorpe in midweek.

The visitors boasted the Championship's top scorer in James Beattie upfront - and the former England striker had the first effort on goal when his header was deflected wide by City full-back David McNamee

Michael Tonge then found Chris Armstrong in the area but Dimi Konstantopoulos was equal to the midfielder's scuffed shot, parrying the ball behind for a corner.

A left-footed drive from Cairo flashed wide of the target at the other end, before a moment of quality from the Dutchman almost produced the opening goal on the half-hour mark.

Cairo unleashes a volley

Cairo latched onto the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the area and unleashed a fierce volley which Blades 'keeper Kenny did brilliantly to the push the ball over the bar at full-stretch.

Konstantopoulos was then on hand to keep out strikes from Tonge and Beattie before Kenny clawed away a goal-bound effort from Doyle at the back-post.

A slip from the visitors' on loan Aston Villa defender Gary Cahill presented the Sky Blues with a glorious chance to score in first-half stoppage-time, but Adebola skewed wide with only Kenny to beat.

A glancing header from Beattie was tipped over by Konstantopoulos just after the break before the dangerous frontman turned provider as the Blades went ahead on the hour.

Beattie darted past Borrowdale on the right and crossed to the back-post where Armstrong ghosted in to head the ball into the far corner via a deflection off Arjan De Zeeuw.

Doyle fired wide from 25-yards as the Sky Blues looked for an immediate response but United were standing firm at the back and could have even doubled their lead with eighteen minutes left but Keith Gillespie blasted into the side-netting.

The Sky Blues continued to throw men forward in search of an equaliser but substitute Wayne Andrews fired their best chance high and wide from an acute angle late on.

4thegame
Sheffield United continued their recent good form with an impressive 1-0 win against Coventry City at The Ricoh Arena.

Chris Armstrong's headed goal in the 61st minute gave United their second win this week and put them above Coventry in the Championship table.

Coventry manager Iain Dowie made three changes to the team who drew with nine-man Scunthorpe at home on Tuesday night, while Bryan Robson stuck with the same side who thumped Charlton 3-0 at The Valley.

The game had a slow start, with neither team testing the goalkeeper until the 23rd minute.

David Carney played a tidy ball to Armstrong on the left-hand side of the area. Armstrong hit a bouncing shot towards Dimi Konstantopoulos' goal, which the Greek palmed away for a corner.

City's first attempt came in the 33rd minute when a moment of class from Dutch midfielder Ellery Cairo nearly gave his side the lead. Cairo turned on the edge of the box, and hit a half-volley towards to top of the net - only for Paddy Kenny to turn over for a corner.

And City could have taken the lead before half-time when a through ball saw forward United's Gary Cahill slip, leaving Dele Adebola one-on-one with Kenny, only for the veteran to put his effort wide.

United looked brighter in the second half and the dangerous combination of James Beattie and Keith Gillespie threatened.

Gillespie's free-kicks in the 57th and 60th minutes had given Beattie two opportunities to grab his 13th goal of the season, with the striker's headers coming close.

And Beattie turned provider a minute later after finding space on the right. His cross to Chris Armstrong was measured, and the defender's powerful header found its way past the keeper after a deflection.

United continued to press for a second, with Gillespie hitting the sidenetting on 74 minutes.

Coventry had brought on Leon McKenzie in the 64th and Wayne Andrews in the 80th to try and change the game.

But despite some promising build-up, City failed to test the keeper and United held on for the win.