Hull 1 Coventry 0 - 29/01/2008

Hull 1 Coventry 0 - 29/01/2008

Hull City: Boaz Myhill, Michael Turner, Wayne Brown, Andy Dawson, Sam Ricketts, Bryan Hughes, Richard Garcia (Henrik Pedersen 78), Simon Walton, Dean Marney (Nick Barmby 51), Fraizer Campbell, Dean Windass (Caleb Folan 64),
Subs not used: Nathan Doyle, Ryan France
Booked: Dean Marney 16
Goals: Caleb Folan 90

Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Isaac Osbourne, Elliott Ward, Liam Davis (Robbie Simpson 84), Arjan De Zeeuw, Stephen Hughes, Daniel Fox (Gary Borrowdale 81), Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle, Michael Mifsud (Leon Best 86), Dele Adebola,
Subs not used: Ellery Cairo, Julian Gray
Booked: Isaac Osbourne 40, Liam Davis 77

Attendance: 14822
Referee: C Oliver

Teamtalk
Caleb Folan's dramatic last-minute goal gave Hull a 1-0 win, their first victory of the year, to leave Coventry without a league win in 2008.

Folan, a 64th-minute replacement for top-scorer Dean Windass, latched on to a long punt forward and lobbed the ball over the advancing Dimi Konstantopoulos from the edge of the 18-yard box.

It was the highlight of a tepid encounter that looked destined to end in a stalemate.

On a bitterly cold evening on Humberside, much of the football could be described as lukewarm at best.

Michael Mifsud's half-volley from the right-hand side of the box that forced Boaz Myhill into a fine one-handed save just before the break was the closest Coventry came to scoring.

The in-rushing Dele Adebola headed the rebound over the crossbar after he was unable to adjust his feet in time.

Hull had the ball in the net midway through the second half but Fraizer Campbell's effort was ruled out for offside.

On this showing, it was easy to understand why the sides had not won in the league since the turn of the year.

Perhaps Hull had an excuse as it was their first game since losing 3-1 at home to West Brom on January 12.

Elimination from the FA Cup and the postponement of the trip to Colchester earlier this month had culminated in a two-and-a-half-week rest for Phil Brown's side.

They looked patchy and disjointed as they cagily set about trying to get the win that would reignite their play-off hopes.

Coventry might have been cagey for a different reason - they knew that losing would increase their relegation worries after a desperate run of five defeats in their last six league games.

Prior to Mifsud's 34th-minute effort, little had materialised in the way of goalmouth action.

A promising run by Bryan Hughes early in the game was not matched by the finish as his shot lacked venom and was easily smothered by Konstantopoulos.

Mifsud stung Myhill's palms with an angled shot soon after but like Hughes' effort, it was routine stuff for the goalkeeper.

Isaac Osbourne was fortunate to escape with merely a yellow card five minutes before the break when he wrestled Dean Marney to the ground midway inside his own half.

It could have been argued that Osbourne was the last defender but the referee deemed it not to be a sending-off offence.

Windass looked certain to break the stalemate early in the second half as he rose at the far post to head home Hughes' right-wing cross.

However, the veteran striker must have taken his eye off the ball at the vital moment and it sailed harmlessly out of play.

It looked like Hull would live to rue that miss but Folan pounced in the 90th minute to seal the points for the hosts.

CCFC
Coventry City suffered the agony of conceding a last minute goal as Hull snatched all three points at the KC Stadium.

A strike from substitute Caleb Folan in the final minute of normal time proved enough to edge an uninspiring clash which looked all set to end in a goalless draw.

The Sky Blues could have snatched the points from themselves, but Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill denied Michael Mifsud in the first-half before pulling off the save of the match to keep out Michael Doyle after the break.

City boss Iain Dowie handed a debut to new signing Danny Fox for the trip to Humberside.

Fox, who joined City from Walsall at the start of the week, slotted in at left-back while Arjan De Zeeuw returned to the centre of defence after completing a one-match suspension.

Both sides threatened to break the deadlock earlier on as Bryan Hughes jinked inside from the right and forced Dimi Konstantopoulos into a decent save for Hull before a similar effort from Mifsud forced a comfortable save from Myhill at the other end.

But chances were few a far between after that and it wasn't until the half hour mark until either goalkeeper was tested.

Nevertheless, Myhill was on his toes to turn away a powerful volley from Mifsud on the turn after the Maltese international latched onto a brave header from Jay Tabb which left the midfielder needing treatment..

A Konstantopoulos save from a Fraizer Campbell header was the nearest the home side came to a goal before the interval.

They went close again shortly after the break when Dean Windass failed to connect with a Hughes free-kick at the back-post before Konstantopoulos did just enough to foil the veteran striker as he chased a long ball forward.

The Sky Blues found themselves restricted to long-range efforts with an ambitious effort from Fox from 40-yards forced Myhill to tip over before the keeper clutched a 25-yarder from Liam Davis to his chest.

Striker Campbell, on loan from Manchester United, had the ball in the net in the 72nd minute as he stabbed the ball home from close-range but referee Clive Oliver ruled the effort out for offside.

A last-ditch interception from Fox then denied Richard Garcia before Michael Turner headed over a teasing free-kick from Andy Dawson as Hull applied the pressure.

However, skipper Doyle almost grabbed the elusive opener for the visitors with eight minutes left on the clock when his fierce drive from the edge of the area was superbly clawed away by Myhill.

Boss Dowie threw on strikers Robbie Simpson and Leon Best in pursuit of a late winner.

But its was the visitors who snatched all three points right at the end as Elliott Ward failed to cut out a long ball forward from defender Wayne Brown and substitute Folan took full advantage, coolly lobbing the ball over a stranded Konstantopoulos.

4thegame
After a scrappy affair at the KC Stadium, a last-gasp goal from Caleb Folan saw Hull City take all three points against a frustrated Coventry side.

Bryan Hughes created an opening for himself early on in the game as he jinked his way into the Coventry box, but the Hull winger saw his low right-footed shot easily saved by Dimitrios Konstantopoulos.

Michael Mifsud nearly had the visitors in front ten minutes from half-time as he turned and fired in an arrowed right footed shot from 20 yards, but Hull keeper Boaz Myhill managed to dive full-stretch to parry the ball away.

Hull's Frazier Campbell found himself through on goal minutes from the break but defender Isaac Osbourne brought down the Manchester United loanee.

It looked as if Osbourne may have been the last man, but he was only given a booking by the referee despite protests from the Hull fans.

Danny Fox tried his luck from distance for Coventry midway through the second half, but his ambitious left footed effort from 35 yards was comfortably tipped over the bar by Myhill The home side thought they'd taken the lead on 71 minutes as the ball fell to Campbell in the six-yard box and the striker slotted it neatly into the back of net.

However, to the Tigers' dismay, the effort was disallowed as the assistant-referee ruled the young striker to be offside.

But Hull were not to be denied as substitute Folan raced on to a long ball upfield from Wayne Brown and neatly lobbed the oncoming Konstantopoulos from just inside the box to give his side all three points in the 90th minute.

Coventry v Millwall - FA Cup 4th Rnd - 26/01/2008

Coventry v Millwall - FA Cup 4th Rnd - 26/01/2008

Coventry: Dimi Konstantopoulos, Isaac Osbourne, Elliot Ward, Gary Borrowdale, Liam Davis, Jay Tabb, Stephen Hughes, Michael Doyle, Julian Gray, Dele Adebola (Robbie Simpson 72), Michael Mifsud (Leon Best 89).
Subs Not Used: Ellery Cairo, Kevin Thornton, Liam Francis.
Booked: Julian Gray.
Goals: Stephen Hughes 16, Michael Mifsud 52.

Millwall: Rhys Evans, Danny Senda, Paul Robinson, Andy Frampton, Scott Barron, Jay Simpson, Alan Dunne, Ali Fuseini (Neil Harris 78), Adrian Forbes (David Brammer 66), Gary Alexander, Lewis Grabban.
Subs Not Used: Preston Edwards, Zoumana Bakayogo, Richard Shaw.
Booked: Danny Senda, Paul Robinson.
Goals: Jay Simpson 42.

Attendance: 17,268
Referee: N Miller

Teamtalk
Coventry put their dire league form behind them to overcome a gritty Millwall side 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round at the Ricoh Arena.

Goals in each half from Stephen Hughes and Michael Mifsud gave the Sky Blues their first home win of 2008, but Iain Dowie's side had to work hard for their victory after Jay Simpson had equalised for the League One side just before half-time.

Coventry went into the game having lost five of their last six Championship matches but took the lead through Hughes' free-kick in the 16th minute.

Michael Doyle, who engineered the chance after his shot was handled on the edge of the area, rolled the ball sideways to Hughes whose low, left-foot shot went through the defensive wall and into the bottom corner despite Rhys Evans' best attempts to reach it.

It was the midfielder's first goal in over four months since scoring with another free-kick - a superbly-struck 30-yard effort on September 22 - in a 4-1 Championship defeat at Ipswich.

Millwall, who were in the fourth round for the first time since reaching the final of the competition in 2004, also went into the game without a league win so far this year but managed to draw level three minutes before the break.

On-loan Arsenal starlet Simpson expertly controlled Scott Barron's driven left-wing cross before cleverly creating space in a crowded penalty area to fire a rising shot past Dimi Konstantopoulos from 12 yards out.

But there would be no fairytale run to the final this year for Millwall as Coventry took the lead for the second, and decisive time, early in the second half.

It was under controversial circumstances. Julian Gray's left-wing cross looped into the air after a deflection and Evans and Elliott Ward jostled for position inside the six-yard box as the ball descended.

Evans seemingly had the ball in his grasp when he fell under Ward's challenge, but with Millwall expecting a free-kick referee Nigel Miller allowed play to continue.

Dele Adebola's shot hit a post and broke kindly for Mifsud who had the simple task of side-footing the ball into an unguarded net from eight yards out for his 16th goal of the season.

Millwall had won 2-1 in each of the previous three rounds, but Kenny Jackett's side were on the opposite end of that scoreline at the Ricoh Arena.

The League One side were unlucky not to be ahead after 10 minutes.

Barron's inswinging corner was met at the far post by Lewis Grabban but his header was headed off the goalline by Jay Tabb.

However, the danger was not over for Coventry as Tabb's clearance fell to Paul Robinson whose header goalwards was also headed off the goalline, this time by Isaac Osbourne.

Mifsud uncharacteristically wasted a glorious chance to double Coventry's lead in the 21st minute.

The Sky Blues' top scorer was put clear by Adebola's reverse pass but, under pressure from a defender tracking back, Mifsud scuffed his effort straight at Evans.

Soon after Simpson spurned a similar chance to equalise when he shot straight at Konstantopoulos, before Grabban saw his follow-up deflected wide.

Grabban forced Konstantopoulos into action again inside the opening minute of the second half.

The £150,000 arrival from Motherwell earlier this week struck an angled shot from the left-hand side of the area but Konstantopoulos saved with his legs.

Millwall should have forced a replay in the closing stages when Gary Alexander missed a glorious chance to equalise.

With time and space just 10 yards out, Alexander somehow dragged his shot wide.

CCFC
Coventry City edged into FA Cup Fifth Round with a hard-fought victory over Millwall at the Ricoh Arena.

Stephen Hughes put the Sky Blues ahead in the 16th minute from a well executed free-kick but Millwall, who despite their League One status matched the home side in the first-half, drew level shortly before half-time through Jay Simpson.

Top scorer Michael Mifsud settled the tie early on in the second period, rifling home from eight yards for his seventh cup goal this season.

City were fortunate not to concede early on as Kenny Jackett's side saw two headers cleared off the line within the same attack.

A corner flashed across the face of goal and Jay Simpson's back-post header was blocked by Jay Tabb before Gary Alexander's header from the follow-up was headed away from danger by Liam Davis.

But the home side took the lead just after the quarter hour mark when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area after a shot from Michael Doyle was blocked by the arm of Lions' defender Paul Robinson.

Michal Mifsud looks for a way past Andy Frampton

Doyle laid the ball on for midfield partner Hughes to dispatch a powerful low drive beyond goalkeeper Rhys Evans into the far corner for his first ever goal at the Ricoh Arena.

The plucky visitors continued to pose questions of a makeshift Sky Blues defence and almost levelled when Simpson's drive was blocked by Dimi Konstantopoulos before Davis charged down the Lewis Grabban's effort from the rebound.

But impressive winger Simpson, on loan from Arsenal, made no mistake four minutes before the break as he stabbed a loose ball into the top corner from 10 yards.

Konstantopoulos denied Grabban at the start of the second-half before the Sky Blues regained the lead.

After Elliott Ward outjumped Evans, Dele Adebola slid in and hit the post but Mifsud was on hand to side-foot home at the second attempt.

Millwall's response saw an unmarked Ali Fuseini head wide before Mifsud fired over from 20-yards at the other end as the Sky Blues looked to put the game beyond doubt.

The game petered out after that, though, with the next clear cut chance not arriving until eleven minutes from time when a sweet strike from Tabb was turned behind by Evans.

Mifsud saw another effort blocked and then Gray volleyed wide after good work from substitute Robbie Simpson.

But striker Alexander missed a glorious chance to equalise late on when he blasted wide after latching onto a weak headed clearance from Ward.

Telegraph
Goals from Stephen Hughes and Michael Mifsud put Coventry into the FA Cup last 16 at the expense of Millwall.

From a free-kick Michael Doyle rolled the ball to Hughes who scored with a left-foot shot which went through the defensive wall and into the corner.

Jay Simpson equalised when he created space in the area to fire a rising shot past the keeper from 12 yards.

Dele Adebola's shot hit a post and broke for Mifsud who side-footed into an unguarded net from eight yards out.

Mifsud wasted a glorious chance to double Coventry's lead in the 21st minute.

The Sky Blues' top scorer was put clear by Adebola's reverse pass but, under pressure from a defender tracking back, Mifsud scuffed his effort straight at Evans.

Soon after Simpson spurned a similar chance to equalise when he shot straight at Dimi Konstantopoulos, before Lewis Grabban saw his follow-up deflected wide.

Millwall should have forced a replay in the closing stages when Gary Alexander missed a glorious chance to equalise.

With time and space just 10 yards out, Alexander somehow dragged his shot wide.

But Coventry held on for victory and end a period of poor results which has seen them lose five of their last six Championship matches.

Coventry 1 Burnley 2 - 19/01/2008

Coventry 1 Burnley 2 - 19/01/2008

Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Elliott Ward, Arjan De Zeeuw, Liam Davis (Stephen Hughes 82), Isaac Osbourne, Jay Tabb (Robbie Simpson 87), Michael Hughes, Julian Gray (Dele Adebola 69), Michael Doyle, Kevin Kyle, Michael Mifsud
Subs not used: Kevin Thornton, Gary Borrowdale
Booked: Elliott Ward 89, Kevin Kyle 44, Arjan De Zeeuw 90
Sent off: Kevin Kyle 56
Goals: Michael Doyle 26

Burnley: Brian Jensen, Graham Alexander, Jon Harley, David Unsworth, Stanislav Varga, Johannes Gudjonsson (John Spicer 75), Wade Elliott, James O'Connor (Alan Mahon 59), Chris McCann, Ade Akinbiyi (Steve Jones 81), Robert Blake
Subs not used: Stephen Jordan, Gabor Kiraly
Booked: Graham Alexander 8, Jon Harley 66, Robert Blake 41, Stanislav Varga 76
Goals: Ade Akinbiyi 10, Robert Blake 68

Attendance: 17347
Referee: E Ilderto

Teamtalk
Ade Akinbiyi and Robbie Blake scored on their returns to action as Burnley win 2-1 to prolong Coventry's league misery at the Ricoh Arena.

Captain Michael Doyle also scored on his return from suspension for Coventry, who had Kevin Kyle sent off early in the second half, but the Sky Blues are still without a league win in 2008.

Coventry are free to sign new players after the transfer embargo on the club was lifted by the Football League this week, and on this showing Iain Dowie's side are in desperate need of some fresh blood.

Akinbiyi, back in Burnley's starting XI following the sale of top scorer Andy Gray to Ipswich, opened the scoring after 10 minutes when he steered Wade Elliott's right-wing cross into the roof of the net from 12 yards out.

Midway through the first half, Doyle announced his return from a one-match ban by bringing the hosts level.

The Irishman poked the ball home from close range after Brian Jensen had produced a superb save to parry Michael Hughes' shot.

Blake, who was recalled by Owen Coyle at the expense of Steve Jones, justified his manager's decision by sealing all three points for Burnley in the 68th minute.

Coventry gave the ball away inside their own half and Joey Gudjonsson's pass found Blake, who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner from 12-yards out.

The hosts started brightly and only a fine save from Jensen prevented them from taking the lead inside the opening two minutes.

The Dane kept out a powerful volley from Michael Mifsud before Stanislav Varga blocked the follow up from Hughes. Elliott Ward headed over the crossbar from the resulting corner.

It was against the run of play when Akinbiyi struck, but Coventry responded well and Ward went close with another header in the 18th minute.

Doyle equalised soon after but the Sky Blues had Dimi Konstantopoulos to thank for preserving parity when the giant Greek blocked Elliott's close-range effort.

At the other end, Jensen thwarted Mifsud when it looked like the Malta international would take his tally for the season to 16 goals.

Kyle, who was booked for a foul on Jon Harley just before half-time, was sent off in the 56th-minute following a two-footed lunge on Graham Alexander.

Referee Eddie Ilderton deemed the offence only worthy of a second yellow card when it could so easily have been a straight red for the Scot.

Coventry were the better side despite their numerical disadvantage. Hughes went close before Jensen produced another fine save to thwart Mifsud before the hour mark.

But Dowie's side were masters of their own destruction after they surrendered possession and allowed Blake to score the winning goal.

CCFC
Kevin Kyle was sent-off for the second time this season as Coventry City slipped to their fifth defeat in six matches in the Championship.

Burnley went ahead when Ade Akinbiyi converted a Wade Elliott cross but a strike from skipper Michael Doyle deservedly put Iain Dowie's men back on level terms fifteen minutes later.

Kyle saw red for a second booking early on in the second-half and after Michael Mifsud had an excellent shout for a penalty turned down, Akinbiyi set-up Robbie Blake to grab a winner.

Iain Dowie made six changes to the side after last weekend's dismal 2-0 defeat at Leicester and Michael Mifsud could have given them a dream start when he shot straight at goalkeeper Brian Jensen after finding himself free in the area.

And it proved a costly miss as the Clarets raced ahead in the tenth minute as Robbie Blake found Wade Elliott out on the right and he crossed for Akinbiyi to fire under Dimi Konstantopoulos from ten yards.

A glancing header from Mifsud then forced a comfortable save from Jensen before Elliott Ward headed over Julian Gray's free-kick from the left as City looked for a quick response.

But Burnley continued to pose a threat on the counter attack with Robbie Blake stinging Konstantopoulos' fingers from 20-yards.

However, Doyle drew the Sky Blues level midway through the half.

The City skipper saw an initial shot blocked, but after Jensen had foiled Michael Hughes and Kevin Kyle from the rebound, Doyle blasted the ball into the roof of the net from close-range.

And he almost doubled his tally on the half hour when a speculative shot from the edge of the box flew narrowly wide of the top corner.

A fine save from Jensen low down to his right then denied Mifsud while at the other end a first-time effort from Akinbiyi was well held by Konstantopoulos.

However, after making a bright start to the second-half, City were reduced to ten-men in the 56th minute when Kyle - already booked for a challenge on Jon Harley - saw red for the second time this season for a lunge on Elliott.

Nevertheless, the Sky Blues continued to do most of the attacking with Hughes and Davis sending shots over the bar, the latter with a fierce drive from fully 35-yards.

Referee Eddie Ilderton then took centre stage as he waved away adamant claims for a penalty after David Unsworth appeared to bring down Mifsud as the striker bore down on goal.

And it proved to be a major turning point in the match as Burnley re-took the lead from their very next attack.

The lively Akinbiyi took advantage of a slip from Doyle and squared the ball to strike-partner Blake, who coolly side-stepped a City challenge before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

City battled back again with Mifsud firing at Jensen before sending a long-range shot flash wide.

Their best chance of rescuing a point also fell to the Maltese international in the dying seconds, but after showing great control to pluck a long ball out of the air, his shot was blocked by Unsworth.

4thegame
Ten-man Coventry City fell closer to the relegation zone after another home defeat at the hands of away-day specialists Burnley.

City have only won one game in seven since Ray Ranson took over as chairman and the latest defeat will leave manager Iain Dowie extremely concerned.

The Sky Blues had been equal to Burnley for most of the game, but a mistimed challenge by Kevin Kyle in the 55th minute led to a second booking and his second dismissal in two games.

Dowie made six changes to the side who were branded 'embarrassing' by captain Michael Doyle after losing to rivals Leicester City last week.

Meanwhile, Burnley's preparations were disrupted after the loss of Andy Gray, who travelled to London to complete a £1.5million move to Charlton.

But it was Burnley who made the breakthrough with a clinical move in the tenth minute. Robbie Blake's through ball to Wade Elliott on the right opened up the City defence and his cross found Ade Akinbiyi eight yards from goal.

The striker calmly sidefooted the ball towards the net and Dimi Konstantopoulos let the ball slip through his hands into the net.

Burnley had a grip on the game and their pressure nearly saw a second goal in the 23rd minute, but Blake's powerful shot went straight into Konstantopoulos' chest and was cleared.

The Clarets were made to rue the miss when Coventry snatched an equaliser two minutes later. Michael Hughes managed to fire in a shot after a goalmouth scramble, which Brian Jensen did well to save.

The rebound looped over Kyle, but Sky Blues captain Doyle charged in and fired home from close range.

But Kyle's sending-off proved to be costly and when Doyle lost the ball in the 68th minute on the edge of the area, Joey Gudjonsson fed through Blake, who coolly slotted home for the win.

Leicester 2 Coventry 0 - 12/01/2008

Leicester 2 Coventry 0 - 12/01/2008

Leicester City: Ben Alnwick, Joe Mattock, Richard Stearman, Patrick Kisnorbo, Gareth McAuley, Laczko Zsolt (Barry Hayles 81), Stephen Clemence, Matt Oakley, Gabor Bori, Iain Hume (James Wesolowski 90), Steven Howard
Subs not used: Bruno N'Gotty, James Chambers, Matt Fryatt
Booked: Patrick Kisnorbo 54
Goals: Steven Howard 11, Barry Hayles 85

Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Elliott Ward, Gary Borrowdale, Ben Turner, Kevin Thornton (Liam Davis 78), Michael Hughes, Christopher Birchall (Robbie Simpson 38), Isaac Osbourne, Leon Best (Kevin Kyle 71), Dele Adebola, Michael Mifsud
Subs not used: Robert Page, Lee Hildreth

Attendance: 23905
Referee: Mr M Atkinson

Teamtalk
Steve Howard and Barry Hayles marked their home debuts with a goal a piece to give a new-look Leicester side a 2-0 home win over Coventry.

Howard, who along with Hayles represented six January signings in Ian Holloway's squad, opened the scoring with his first Foxes goal after 11 minutes before Hayles followed suit four minutes from time at the Walkers Stadium.

Michael Hughes lost possession on the edge of his own 18-yard box. Iain Hume threaded the ball behind the left side of Coventry's defence for Howard, whose low left-foot shot went through Dimi Konstantopoulos' legs at the near post.

Substitute Hayles opened his account when he capitalised on a defensive mistake by Ben Turner to race clear and slide the ball underneath the advancing Konstantopoulos.

The giant Greek got a hand on the shot but the ball trickled over the line to give Leicester their first win of 2008 and edge them away from the relegation zone.

Holloway made six changes to the side that went out of the FA Cup at Southampton - handing debuts to four new players.

Ben Alnwick replaced Paul Henderson in goal while there were also starts for Hungarian wingers Zsolt Laczko and Gabor Bori.

The newest arrival Matt Oakley, who joined on a three-and-a-half year deal from Derby on Friday, lined up in midfield alongside Stephen Clemence who returned from a one-match ban.

Hayles, who like Howard signed on January 1, had to settle for a place on the bench.

Howard's goal was reward for the hosts bright start after two chances had fallen to Laczko inside the opening five minutes.

Laczko headed Richard Stearman's right-wing cross wide before the Hungarian got himself into another good position soon after.

Hume crossed from the right-hand side but as Laczko ran across his marker at the near post, he could not keep his shot down and the ball sailed over the crossbar.

Holloway's side nearly undid their early work by gifting Coventry an equaliser after 15 minutes.

Dele Adebola's flick header from a long clearance looked harmless, but Patrick Kisnorbo and Alnwick left the ball to each other on the edge of the area and allowed Leon Best to nip in.

Alnwick recovered enough to thwart Best but the ball broke to Adebola, who with the goal gaping rolled his shot against the outside of the post.

Laczko was the most impressive of Leicester's new signings and he continued to cause Coventry problems after the break.

He created a shooting opportunity for himself immediately after the restart with a weaving run down the left wing before cutting inside and flashing an angled drive across the face of the goal.

He would later receive a standing ovation from the Foxes faithful when he was substituted for Hayles in the 81st minute.

Turner would have been disappointed not to test Alnwick soon after from Kevin Thornton's corner.

Thornton, making is first start of the season for Coventry in place of suspended captain Michael Doyle, delivered a perfectly-measured cross but Turner did not get enough on the ball and glanced his header wide.

Konstantopoulos kept Coventry in the game on two occasions in the space of as many minutes just after the hour mark.

He got down well to push Clemence's half-volley away from the bottom corner and around the post before smartly smothering Bori's deflected effort from the edge of the box.

Clemence went close again in the 72nd-minute when another half-volley, this time from the right-hand side of the area, whistled narrowly wide of the far post.

Leicester finally sealed all three points through Hayles in the 86th minute.

CCFC
Coventry went down by two goals to nil after a disappointing display at the Walkers Stadium.

Steve Howard netted early in the tie, while substitute Barry Hayles made it 2-0 late on as a new-look Leicester side dominated against a below par Sky Blues.

The home side started brightly and City had two lucky escapes in the opening five minutes as Leicester's new Hungarian midfielder Zsolt Lacko - one of five new arrivals at the Walkers Stadium to be named in the starting line-up - wasted two superb chances to give his team the lead.

Firstly he headed wide from eight yards out with no City defender to be seen, before he blazed a 15-yard shot well over the bar.

But it only took until the eleventh minute before Leicester took the lead, January signing Steve Howard slotting his shot through Dimi Konstantopoulos' legs after he was played through by the impressive Laczko to give the Foxes a deserved one-goal advantage.

The Sky Blues could and should have been level in the 15th minute when Leon Best nicked in to win a throughball ahead of Foxes new keeper Alnwick but when the ball fell to Dele Adebola his shot hit the foot of the post and went wide.

But on the whole the Sky Blues were just not at the races in a first half predominantly dominated by Ian Holloway's charges. At times City were simply unable to get the ball for any amount of time and could have been further behind had their opponent's other Hungarian import Gabor Bori not shot over the crossbar with 35 on the clock.

Towards the end of a poor opening period for City, Iain Dowie was forced into a change as Chris Birchall - making his first City start of the season - hobbled off to be replaced by Robbie Simpson.

The Sky Blues were guilty of giving the ball away with alarming regularity during the first 45 minutes and the opening exchanges of the second half indicated that nothing had changed.

But when Mifsud got a rare opportunity to utilise his explosive pace down the right flank, he won a free-kick and Simpson should have done better with a free header from Kev Thornton's delivery - his effort going harmlessly wide.

City were looking more useful as an attacking outfit but Konstantopoulos had to get down smartly to a Matt Oakley volley in the 64th minute, tipping the former Derby midfielder's shot around the post as it bounced awkwardly in front of him. The Greek keeper than produced another good save from Iain Hume to keep the Sky Blues in it.

With just under 20 minutes remaining Kevin Kyle replaced Best up front although it was the Foxes who were continuing to do the majority of the pressing, threatening to double their lead and kill the tie off. Liam Davis came on for Thornton in what was Iain Dowie's final switch - the livewire midfielder having had a quiet afternoon.

Ian Holloway made his only switch of the game with ten minutes left on the clock, bringing on another of his new signings, Barry Hayles and it was veteran striker who made it 2-0 to Leicester in the 85th minute, taking advantage of a defensive error by Ben Turner who slotted the ball past Konstantopoulos and into the back of the net, despite Turner's best efforts to track back and clear off the line.

4thegame
Leicester City's new strikeforce combined to blow away Coventry City and extend their unbeaten run against their M59 rivals to nine games.

The Foxes tore into their opponents from the start and were rewarded on 11 minutes when Michael Hughes was hustled out of possession to allow Ian Hume to feed Steve Howard, who thumped home an angled shot through the keeper's legs from six yards out.

Manager Ian Holloway gave Walkers Stadium debuts to five new faces, but fears that the revamped side would take time to gel were comprehensively dismissed as the East Midlanders dominated their neighbours from start to finish.

Coventry threatened just once throughout the game when they were gifted the chance of an equaliser on 15 minutes when a misunderstanding between on loan keeper Ben Alnwick and Richard Stearman gave Dele Adebola a clear sight of goal, but Leicester were relieved to see the Coventry striker roll a shot against a post with the goal gaping.

But it was the home side who remained in control with another new boy, Gabor Bori, blasting just over from 18 yards after the Coventry keeper had been forced to punch clear another dangerous cross from Hume.

Leicester had bossed the first half and were quick to resume their offensive after the restart with Hume, Stephen Clemence and Laczko Zsolt all threatening to increase the home side's lead.

Laszcko was a constant threat down Coventry's left all afternoon and he deserved his standing ovation when he made way for Barry Hayles after 80 minutes.

Leicester dominated from start to finish and their superiority was rewarded with five minutes to go when Ben Turner stumbled to allow another new boy, substitute Barry Hayles, to take full advantage to stroke home the Foxes second beyond an unprotected Dimitrios Konstantopoulos.

Blackburn 1 Coventry 4 - FA Cup 3rd Rnd - 05/01/2008

Blackburn 1 Coventry 4 FA Cup 3rd Rnd - 05/01/2008

Blackburn: Brad Friedel, Brett Emerton (Morton Gamst Pedersen, 60), Zurab Khizanishvili, Christopher Samba, Bruno Berner, David Bentley, Kerimoglu Tugay, Aaron Mokoena, Keith Treacy (Matt Derbyshire, 69), Maceo Rigters (Gunnar Nielsen, 60), Benni McCarthy.
Subs Not Used: Jason Brown (GK), Stephen Warnock.
Booked: Zurab Khizanishvili
Goals: David Bentley (85)

Coventry City: Dimi Konstantopoulos, IsaacOsbourne, Elliot Ward, Ben Turner, Gary Borrowdale, Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle (c), Michael Hughes, Michael Mifsud, Leon Best, Dele Adebola.
Subs Not Used: Arjan de Zeeuw, Kevin Kyle, Robbie Simpson, Julian Gray, Kevin Thornton.
Booked: Michael Doyle
Goals: Michael Mifsud (34, 90), Elliot Ward (64 pen), Dele Adebola (83)

Attendance: 14,421
Referee: L Probert

Teamtalk
Michael Mifsud scored twice as giantkillers Coventry marched into the FA Cup fourth round with a shock 4-1 win at below-par Blackburn.

The Malta international, nicknamed the Mosquito due to his 5ft 5in frame and deadly finishing, opened the scoring and added a late fourth to take his season's tally to 15.

His goals sandwiched second-half strikes from Elliott Ward and Dele Adebola and sent 3,000 visiting supporters into raptures.

Iain Dowie's men are currently languishing in 17th in the Championship, but they left their Premier League hosts utterly humiliated and can add this scalp to their Carling Cup win at Manchester United earlier in the season.

Mifsud's brace against the Red Devils clinched the famous 2-0 win at Old Trafford and he enhanced his reputation further with a 34th-minute opener at Ewood Park.

Defender Ward's expertly-taken penalty put Dowie's men 2-0 ahead before Adebola made sure with a clinical third to ensure David Bentley's late effort meant little to stunned Rovers boss Mark Hughes.

It was fitting that Mifsud had the final say with a superb fourth and while hundreds of Blackburn followers marched out of Ewood Park in disgust, Coventry fans toasted another memorable success.

Little more than a fortnight ago the Sky Blues - FA Cup winners in 1987 - were faced with the grim prospect of entering administration and being docked 10 points.

Ray Ranson's group Sisu Capital bought the club to avert that fate and Dowie's men again showed their potential on the pitch.

Rovers boss Hughes, who tasted FA Cup glory four times as a player, was without Roque Santa Cruz through injury.

But he will surely rue his decision to start with established regulars Stephen Warnock, Ryan Nelsen and Morten Gamst Pedersen on the substitutes' bench.

Holland under-21 striker Maceo Rigters, homegrown midfielder Keith Treacy and defensive pair Bruno Berner and Zurab Khizanishvili all came into the side and Blackburn dominated early on.

In the eighth minute Treacy used his electrifying pace to reach the left-hand byline and whip in a vicious cross which drew a fine block from Isaac Osbourne at the near post.

Buoyed by their early escape, Coventry engineered an even better chance in the 18th minute.

Some neat interplay in midfield led to Leon Best producing a delightful backheel which allowed Mifsud to scamper clear behind Blackburn left-back Berner.

Mifsud advanced forward at blistering pace and thrashed a shot goalwards which Brad Friedel tipped around the post for a corner.

Benni McCarthy spurned an an excellent opportunity to open the scoring shortly before the half-hour mark, firing straight into Dimi Konstantopoulos' midriff after beating the offside trap and racing clean through.

Coventry grew in confidence and with Adebola a menacing presence alongside Best, the visiting supporters sensed a famous upset.

The Sky Blues' most potent weapon is undoubtedly Mifsud - and he proved as much with the opening goal 11 minutes before the break.

Mifsud, who joined Coventry from Norwegian outfit Lillestrom 12 months ago, seized on Chris Samba's weak defensive header and hooked a volley from 12 yards which deflected off Berner and looped over Friedel and into the far corner.

Blackburn improved after the break and threatened to draw level in the 50th minute when Bentley swung in a corner from the left which Samba nodded onto the crossbar.

The ineffective Rigters then volleyed over when well placed from another dangerous Bentley cross but soon after it was 2-0 to Coventry.

Jay Tabb hit a brilliant shot from 20 yards which smacked the crossbar and bounced up for Best, who was shoved in the back by Khizanishvili as he tried to head the ball into the net from inside the six-yard box.

It was a blatant penalty which Ward ruthlessly dispatched to put the Sky Blues in total control.

Adebola was allowed to race clear to fire home left-footed for a third and, although Bentley's low strike raised a brief cheer among the home fans, Mifsud's delightful strike in stoppage-time almost burst the net and ensured Coventry had the final say.

CCFC
Coventry City pulled off another major cup shock by dumping Premier League Blackburn out of the FA Cup at the third round stage in impressive style at Ewood Park.

The Sky Blues were ahead in the 34th minute when Michael Mifsud's looping volley found the net.

Elliott Ward doubled their lead from the penalty spot just after the hour and then a superb individual goal from in-form striker Dele Adebola added a third.

England international David Bentley pulled a goal back for the home side, but Mifsud made a magnificent result sure in stoppage-time when he fired past Brad Friedel.

Mark Hughes' men become City's second top-flight scalp this season after a victory over Manchester United in the Carling Cup back in October.

Ben Turner slides in on Benni McCarthy

Goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos, one of three changes to the side beaten 2-1 against Bristol City on New Year's Day, was called into action for the first time in the thirteenth minute when he spilled David Bentley's free-kick before Ward hacked the ball away from danger.

Mifsud went close for the visitors shortly after when he latched onto a clever back-heel from Leon Best and hit a powerful shot from a tight angle which Blackburn keeper Friedel did well to block.

Defender Ward, making his 100th career appearance, then saw a goal-bound shot blocked after sneaking away from his marker to connect with an Isaac Osbourne free-kick from the left.

But Blackburn squandered a great chance to take the lead on the half-hour when Benni McCarthy found himself in behind the defence but fired straight at Konstantopoulos from eight yards.

And it was opportunity the home side were left to rue in the 34th minute as Mifsud's volley took a deflection and looped over a stranded Friedel into the far corner.

Michael Mifsud's shot beats finds the net

Rovers' response saw McCarthy blast over from the edge of the area while young debutant Keith Treacy fired wide at the end of the first-half.

A header from Zurab Khizanishvili bounced back off the top of the crossbar before a shot from midfielder Aaron Mokoena was touched onto the post by Konstantopoulos as the home side started the second-half strongly.

But after surviving that pressure, the Sky Blues went agonisingly close to increasing their advantage eleven minutes into the second-half when Adebola headed Michael Doyle's corner over from close-range with only Friedel beaten.

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes introduced Norwegian international playmaker Morten Gamst Pedersen and moved towering centre-back Samba upfront on the hour in hope of reigniting the Rovers attack.

However, it was City who continued to cause trouble at the other end and after a superb 20-yard drive from Tabb cannoned back off the crossbar, Best was pushed as he followed up the rebound.

Referee Lee Probert swiftly pointed to the penalty spot and Ward made no mistake, rifling his spot-kick high into the top corner beyond Friedel's reach.

The home side were still reeling from that when Adebola's centre was grabbed by Friedel and then Mifsud's sent the ball flashing across the face of goal.

Mifsud should have put the result beyond doubt in the 77th minute, heading a cross from Osbourne wide after finding himself unmarked in the area.

But the hardworking Best missed an even easier chance to score soon after when he latched onto a loose back-pass and rounded Friedel, only to shoot into the side-netting with the goal gaping.

City continued to dominate, though, and they finally got their reward with seven minutes left when Adebola picked up the ball on the left, rode three challenges and clinically fired the ball into the bottom corner for his third goal in as many games.

However, any hopes of a clean-sheet were dashed two minutes later as Mokoena laid the ball on for Bentley to crack a powerful low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

But there was still time for Mifsud to cap a fine team performance with a fourth goal in stoppage-time when he raced onto Tabb's through-ball and beat Friedel at his near post.

Telegraph
Michael Mifsud scored twice as Coventry marched into the FA Cup fourth round at the expense of below-par Blackburn.

Malta international Mifsud opened the scoring with a hooked volley from 12 yards before Elliot Ward expertly slotted home from the penalty spot.

Dele Adebola made the game safe with a clinical third to ensure David Bentley's low strike was only a consolation to a weakened Rovers side.

And Mifsud's rasping drive in stoppage-time completed the rout.

Iain Dowie's side are currently languishing in 17th in the Championship, but they left their Premier League hosts humiliated and can add this scalp to their Carling Cup win at Manchester United earlier in the season.

Mark Hughes started with established regulars Stephen Warnock, Ryan Nelsen and Morten Gamst Pedersen on the substitutes' bench.

But Holland under-21 striker Maceo Rigters, homegrown midfielder Keith Treacy and defensive pair Bruno Berner and Zurab Khizanishvili failed to cope with the rampant visitors.

Benni McCarthy spurned an excellent opportunity to open the scoring shortly before the half-hour mark, firing straight into Dimi Konstantopoulos's midriff after beating the offside trap and racing clean through.

But from then on, Rovers were pegged back and crumbled under pressure.

Mifsud, who joined Coventry from Norwegian outfit Lillestrom 12 months ago, seized on Chris Samba's weak defensive header and hooked a volley from 12 yards which deflected off Berner and looped over Brad Friedel into the far corner.

Jay Tabb's fine shot from 20 yards smacked the crossbar and bounced up for Leon Best, who was shoved in the back by Khizanishvili as he tried to head the ball into the net from inside the six-yard box.

Ward ruthlessly dispatched the spot kick to put the Sky Blues in total control at 2-0.

Adebola was then allowed to race clear to fire home left-footed for a third.

And although Bentley's low strike raised a brief cheer among the home fans, Mifsud's delightful strike in stoppage-time almost burst the net and ensured Coventry had the final say.

Bristol City 2 Coventry 1 - 01/01/2008

Bristol City 2 Coventry 1 - 01/01/2008

Bristol City: Adriano Basso, Tamas Vasko, Brian Wilson, Jamie McAllister, Jamie McCombe, Bradley Orr, David Noble (Enoch Showunmi 79), Ivan Sproule (Liam Fontaine 88), Marvin Elliott, Lee Johnson, Darren Byfield (Lee Trundle 79),
Subs not used: Scott Murray, Chris Weale
Booked: Tamas Vasko 75
Goals: Darren Byfield 5, Marvin Elliott 67

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Ben Turner, Gary Borrowdale, Arjan De Zeeuw, Michael Doyle, Isaac Osbourne (Elliott Ward 45), Michael Hughes, Dele Adebola, Michael Mifsud (Kevin Thornton 71), Robbie Simpson (Jay Tabb 60), Leon Best,
Subs not used: Liam Davis, Donovan Simmonds
Booked: Michael Mifsud 18
Goals: Dele Adebola 72

Attendance: 15899
Referee: P Taylor

Teamtalk
Bristol City secured a fourth straight home win in the Championship as goals from Darren Byfield and Marvin Elliott defeated Coventry 2-1.

Byfield took just five minutes to find the net at Ashton Gate as the Sky Blues were made to pay for a sluggish start.

Elliott headed a second just after the hour but Coventry produced a stirring second-half performance and eventually found a way back into the game through Dele Adebola.

Only a string of fine saves from goalkeeper Adriano Basso denied Iain Dowie's men a share of the spoils as he repeatedly frustrated Adebola and strike partner Leon Best.

Victory ensures the Robins stay in third spot and back-to-back promotions look a very real possibility.

Brian Wilson replaced the injured Michael McIndoe in the Bristol City starting line-up while Best returned from suspension to lead the line in attack for Coventry.

The hosts dominated proceedings from the start and goalkeeper Andy Marshall produced a fine save to keep out Wilson's close-range strike before Byfield broke the deadlock with barely five minutes played.

David Noble was afforded too much time and space out on the left flank and his pass allowed Byfield to fire a soaring right-footed drive past Marshall from 18 yards.

The 31-year-old, who has now scored eight goals this season, was also on target when the Robins beat Coventry 3-0 at the Ricoh Arena back in September.

Jamie McAllister and Lee Johnson both fired straight at Marshall minutes later and Adebola scuffed a close-range effort wide as the Sky Blues struggled to get a foothold in the game.

Jamie McCombe rose well to meet Wilson's outswinging corner but failed to find the target with a looping header while, at the other end, Adriano Basso reacted quickly to parry Michael Doyle's 18-yard shot on the half-hour mark.

Arjan De Zeeuw blocked Marvin Elliott's goalward-bound header shortly before half-time and Bradley Orr fired wide as the home side finished the opening 45 minutes strongly.

Coventry showed plenty to suggest they were capable of getting back into the game after the restart as Michael Mifsud was denied by Basso from 12 yards and Adebola flashed a header wide moments later.

Basso then produced a wonderful save to again thwart Adebola.

The Brazilian stopper showed great athleticism to somehow keep hold of Adebola's rasping 12-yard drive and on the hour was again on hand to frustrate Best from a similar range.

Basso's string of fine saves were made all the more telling when the home side doubled their lead after 67 minutes.

Elliott rose unmarked in a crowded penalty to meet Jamie McCombe's left-sided corner and steer a header past Marshall from six yards.

Bristol City had barely finished celebrating Elliott's fifth of the season when Adebola finally got the better of Basso to haul Coventry back into contention.

Substitute Jay Tabb made inroads from the left wing before crossing for Adebola to bag his second goal in as many games from close range.

Six minutes from time, Best thought he had salvaged a point for the visitors when he beat Basso from 18 yards but his effort cannoned to safety off the post.

CCFC
The Sky Blues produce a spirited second half display but start 2008 with a 2-1 defeat against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

City were rocked by an early Darren Byfield goal and appeared to be dead and buried when Marvin Elliott put the Robins two clear in the second half. Dele Adebola brought the visitors back into it and Leon Best should have equalised late on but it was not to be for Iain Dowie's men.

The home side started the game brightly and Andy Marshall was the first keeper to be called into action, making a good stop from Brian Wilson after he cut in from the right-hand side.

But it was only a temporary respite as Byfield opened the scoring in the fifth minute, smashing the ball past Marshall with a fine strike from 18 yards, with City's defence left at sixes and sevens.

It was an early blow to Coventry's aspirations and once again highlighted the side's defensive frailties. Against high-flying Bristol City, with three straight home wins ahead of this game, it was going to leave the Sky Blues with a tough challenge.

The Robins were threatening to extend their lead and a David Noble effort deflected narrowly wide of the target in the 23rd minute.

City got their first shot on target in the 33rd minute, when Michael Doyle forced Bristol keeper Adriano Basso into a good save with a shot from the edge of the box.

On the stroke of half time Leon Best fired a crisp 25 yard effort from a free-kick straight at Basso as City ended the half slightly better.

Elliott Ward came on for Isaac Osbourne at half time, forcing a defensive reshuffle as Gary Borrowdale switched to right-back and Ben Turner slotted in at left-back

Michael Mifsud went on a good run early in the second half but could not produce a shot until the angle was very tight, leaving Basso to produce a routine save. Adebola was next to force the Bristol shot stopper into action, when he went on a weaving run into the area and got his shot away, while Leon Best was denied by a goal saving block from Jamie McCombe after he had bundled past Basso before he hit the post from a tight angle after breaking clear of the Robins defence. It was better stuff from City who seemed revitalised after the half-time break.

On the hour mark Jay Tabb replaced Simpson, who looked like he was lacking match fitness on his return to the side following a two-month break with a hamstring tear.

After looking likely to get back into the match, City saw their hopes disappear in the 66th minute when Marvin Elliott headed the ball home to make it 2-0 after more shoddy defending at a set piece from the Sky Blues.

Iain Dowie's final roll of the dice came with just under 20 minutes remaining when Kevin Thornton replaced Mifsud and moments later Coventry were back in it when Adebola scored his second goal in as many games after being cleverly played through by Tabb.

Bristol boss Gary Johnson reacted by making a double attacking switch, bringing on Enoch Showunmi and Lee Trundle to keep City's defender's on their toes in the final ten minutes.

With 83 on the clock, Best spurned a golden opportunity to snatch a point for the Sky Blues, side-footing against the inside of the post from close range with the goal at his mercy and that was City's last chance of a frustrating game.

4thegame
Bristol City held off a spirited fightback by Coventry to keep their place in the big Premier League chase.

After building a two-goal lead with an early strike from Darren Byfield and a second-half header by Marvin Elliott, they thought the game was theirs.

But Dele Adebola fired up Coventry with a goal 18 minutes from the end and they only missed out on a point when Leon Best rolled his shot against a post after beating the keeper.

With the Robins' football bubbling with self-belief it took Coventry a long time to hit their stride.

It took the arrival of Elliott Ward at half-time to stiffen their defence while Kevin Thornton could have been used earlier than he was, as his running at defenders unsteadied the hosts.

Coventry don't do clean sheets and were a goal down at the start of the fifth minute, courtesy of a thumping left-footed 18-yard drive by Byfield.

Bristol City had twice been stopped by the offside flag but this time David Noble got through and, although his shot was blocked, the ball fell nicely for Byfield.

The home side were good value for their goal and, with Noble always an influence on the action, they cut through Coventry time and again winning corners but not finding a telling finish until Elliott's header from their sixth corner in the 67th minute.

Adebola put himself about as he always does but Coventry had to rely on first-half free-kicks around the box to give them any hope.

The best of their dead-ball chances came from Best although, in open play, Michael Doyle drew a dive out of Bristol City's Brazilian keeper Adriano Basso.

There was an early booking for Coventry's Michael Mifsud and the midfielder was lucky to stay on when he then brought down Elliott. It looked a clear case for a red card but referee Paul Taylor let him off with a long warning.