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.
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.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 10:12 pm
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