Burnley 2 Coventry 0 - 26/02/2008

Burnley 2 Coventry 0 - 26/02/2008

Burnley: Brian Jensen, Jon Harley, Clarke Carlisle, Graham Alexander, Steve Caldwell, Wade Elliott, Johannes Gudjonsson (Mark Randall 58), Chris McCann, James O'Connor, Ade Akinbiyi (John Spicer 89), Kyle Lafferty (Robert Blake 78)
Subs not used: David Unsworth, Gabor Kiraly
Booked: Chris McCann 48
Goals: Chris McCann 20, Steve Caldwell 85

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward, Daniel Fox, Marcus Hall, Michael Hughes, Kevin Thornton, Isaac Osbourne, Julian Gray, Jay Tabb (Robbie Simpson 70), Leon Best, Michael Mifsud
Subs not used: Christopher Birchall, Scott Dann, Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Wayne Andrews

Attendance: 9779
Referee: T Bates

Teamtalk
Chris McCann notched his fifth goal of the season as Burnley beat Chris Coleman's Coventry 2-0 in the Championship at Turf Moor on Tuesday.

Highly-rated midfielder McCann struck in clinical fashion with a vicious left-foot volley from close range in the 20th minute before skipper Steven Caldwell nodded in a late second to put a smile back on his manager's face.

Coyle awoke to the news that Andy Cole - who has scored four goals in three appearances since joining the Clarets on loan from Sunderland - had been arrested by police after an alleged attack on his wife.

The former Manchester United striker, 36, was picked up in the early hours of Monday morning at his home in Alderley Edge, Cheshire and was missing from the side which lined up against the Sky Blues.

Later on this afternoon, Burnley were hit with a £10,000 fine by the Football Association for failing to control their players after McCann and Joey Gudjonsson were shown straight red cards for reckless tackles in a derby clash against Preston in December.

But McCann's tidy finish and Caldwell's thumping far-post header went some way to wiping the frown off Coyle's face as Burnley kept their play-off bid firmly on track.

Coleman - whose Coventry tenure began with an impressive 2-0 home win against neighbours Leicester on Saturday - could take heart from his side's spirit as they prepare for a relegation dogfight.

A chronic lack of quality undermined their efforts, though, and that Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen was not seriously tested until the 65th minute said everything.

Burnley dominated the early exchanges and with 20 minutes played they opened the scoring as a deep corner from the right by Wade Elliott was headed back into the danger zone by Caldwell.

Clarke Carlisle attempted an acrobatic volley which Andy Marshall repelled but the Sky Blues stopper was powerless to prevent McCann lashing in the rebound from little more than six yards.

Coventry's response was encouraging and Malta international Michael Mifsud - who scored twice at Blackburn last month in a notable 4-1 FA Cup third-round win - burst into life after the break.

Two minutes after the restart he shot narrowly over the crossbar and then four minutes later the Sky Blues went even closer when centre-back Elliott Ward headed straight at Jensen from a Daniel Fox corner.

Mifsud then drew a smart stop from Jensen with 25 minutes remaining with a low strike from the edge of the 18-yard box but Burnley spurned several chances to increase their lead.

Nevertheless, victory was secured five minutes from time when substitute Robbie Blake delivered an inswinging left-wing corner to the far post and Caldwell rose highest to head home.

CCFC
It was a disappointing night for Chris Coleman in his first away trip as the Sky Blues lost 2-0 to Burnley, with a goal in each half taking the points for the home side.

Coleman made one enforced change from the side which beat Leicester City 2-0 on Saturday.

Kevin Thornton, who was so effective when coming on as a substitute against the Foxes, started in place of the concussed Stephen Hughes, with Chris Birchall taking the Irishman's place on the bench.

Owen Coyle made two changes for Burnley, with Ade Akinbiyi replacing Blake and Clarke Carlisle coming into the side for Stan Varga, who was suffering from a virus.

In the first chance for the Sky Blues on 10 minutes, Julian Gray lifted his shot over the crossbar following good build-up play, while Leon Best saw his shot deflected wide for a corner four minutes later.

At the other end, Burnley were also trying their hardest to break down the Sky Blues in the final third and after Osbourne had cleared Wade Elliott's cross for a corner, Marshall punched away the danger for another set piece. The Sky Blues weren't so lucky and after a goalmouth scramble, Chris McCann fired the ball home in the 20th minute to give the home side the lead.

After 28 minutes, the Sky Blues had the ball in the back of the net through Julian Gray, but there could be no complaint when it was ruled out for an offside position.

Moments later, Best shot wide after being expertly put through by Tabb, with Coleman's men struggling to break Burnley down.

The Sky Blues started the second half brightly and moments after the restart, Mifsud lifted his shot over the crossbar after good work by Tabb.

A Fox free kick was deflected for a corner on 50 minutes and from the resulting set-piece, the left-back centred the ball for Best, who directed the ball into the arms of Jensen.

Randall replaced Gudjonsson for Burnley just before the hour and he made an immediate impression, firing not far over Marshall's goal.

But the best opportunity certainly went to Mifsud in the 65th minute - the Maltese striker forcing Jensen to push the ball round his post with a stinging 20-yard drive.

Coleman made his first change of the game on 70 minutes, with Robbie Simpson replacing Tabb, although it was Burnley who nearly scored again immediately after when Randall curled his shot around the post, while Lafferty also went close for the home side.

However the misery was compounded for Sky Blues on 85 minutes when Caldwell headed past Marshall to make it 2-0 and seal the win. A late substitution for Burnley came in the shape of John Spicer replacing Ade Akinbiyi in the 87 minute. In a last ditch attempt to pull one back for the Sky Blues Simpson put a shot wide of the keeper in the 91 minute.

4thegame
Goals from Chris McCann and Steven Caldwell pushed Burnley back to within two points of the Championship play-off zone.

McCann took his tally to the season for five with a 20th minute drive, while Caldwell's late header was his first for the Clarets since signing in January 2007.

McCann seized his opportunity when the Coventry City defence failed to deal with Wade Elliott's 20th minute corner.

However, there was a hint of controversy in the build-up as Kyle Lafferty appeared to handle the ball inside the area.

But referee Tony Bates ignored the Sky Blues' appeals and Leon Best could only add to their frustration as he had an effort ruled out for offside six minutes later.

It was about as close as they came to getting back on level terms before the break.

But Coventry, under new management following last week's appointment of former Fulham boss Chris Coleman, got the second half off to a bright start and it took a brave block from Graham Alexander to keep out Daniel Fox's driven free-kick.

Coleman had won his first game in charge with a 2-0 victory at home to Leicester City last weekend.

However, the Welshman lost his 100 per cent record at Turf Moor as the home side always looked in control.

Clarets goalkeeper Brian Jensen did go on to make two good saves from Ward and Michael Mifsud.

But Caldwell made certain of a valuable home win with five minutes to go as he thumped in a far post header from substitute Robbie Blake's left-wing corner.

Coventry 2 Leicester 0 - 23/02/2008

Coventry 2 Leicester 0 - 23/02/2008

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Daniel Fox, Isaac Osbourne, Elliott Ward, Stephen Hughes (Kevin Thornton 7), Jay Tabb, Michael Hughes, Julian Gray (Wayne Andrews 86), Michael Mifsud, Leon Best (Robbie Simpson 84)
Subs not used: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Scott Dann
Booked: Kevin Thornton 36, Leon Best 41
Goals: Elliot Ward 32 (pen), Leon Best 79

Leicester City: Ben Alnwick, Jamie Clapham (Barry Hayles 82), Patrick Kisnorbo, James Chambers, Gareth McAuley (Bruno N'Gotty 51), Stephen Clemence, Matt Oakley, Iain Hume, Laczko Zsolt (Joe Mattock 45), DJ Campbell, Steven Howard
Subs not used: Richard Stearman, Matt Fryatt
Booked: Stephen Clemence 61, Gareth McAuley 31

Attendance: 23129
Referee: K Stroud

Teamtalk
Elliott Ward and Leon Best gave Coventry a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Leicester but the win was marred by a head injury to Stephen Hughes.

The victory - Coventry's first over the Foxes in 10 attempts since a 3-1 Premier League triumph at Filbert Street in April 2001 - came at a price as Sky Blues midfielder Hughes suffered a suspected broken jaw. Hughes, recalled to the starting XI after injury and handed the captain's armband by Coleman in the absence of suspended skipper Michael Doyle, was knocked unconscious inside the opening minute of the midlands derby. An early Leicester attack saw Hughes collide with a team-mate. It looked innocuous but when the ball was cleared, Hughes lay motionless on the ground just inside the penalty area. The game was stopped for more than five minutes as the midfielder was stabilised in the recovery position and strapped on to a stretcher. He left the field to a standing ovation and was replaced by Kevin Thornton.

Coventry, controversially, opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark. Leon Best latched on to a long punt forward, hotly pursued by Gareth McAuley. The two players tangled down the right-hand side of the box and Best's shot across goal went wide. However, referee Keith Stroud had seen an infringement and pointed to the penalty spot.

Ward stepped up, and Ben Alnwick - jumping up and down on his goal line and thrusting his palms against the crossbar in an attempt to distract the defender - got hands to the kick but could not keep it out. It was Ward's first league goal since he scored the winner in a 2-1 home victory against Wolves on March 13. The goal that sealed the three points came with just over 10 minutes to go and from a more likely source.

Thornton's lifted pass set Best on his way into the box, and his low shot across goal from a tight angle found its way into the far bottom corner. The win lifted Coventry above their rivals in the table, denying Leicester back-to-back league wins for the first time since April and plunging them deeper into the relegation mire. The first chance was created by the Foxes after 10 minutes following a swift break from Iain Hume. The Canadian received the ball from DJ Campbell just inside Coventry's half and ran goalwards before shooting from 25 yards out. Andy Marshall got down to his right to smother the effort.

Alnwick was forced into action soon after following Stephen Clemence's foul on Thornton. The diminutive midfielder picked himself up to take the free-kick from 30 yards out. His low, driven shot was parried by Alnwick before being scrambled clear.

Soon after the goal, neat link up play between Best and Jay Tabb on the edge of the 18-yard box saw the Irishman shoot just over the crossbar. Substitute Thornton was fortunate to receive only a yellow card for what appeared to be a two-footed lunge on Matt Oakley in the 36th minute. Substitute Joe Mattock came close for Leicester at the start of the second half following a surging run. His low, left foot shot from the edge of the box had Marshall scrambling across his goal line but the ball whistled just wide.

Ward and Best forced Alnwick into saves either side of the second goal, while Michael Mifsud could have added another late on but the Malta international shot over the crossbar after he had raced through on goal.

CCFC
Chris Coleman guided the Sky Blues to an excellent victory over local rivals Leicester City in his first game as Sky Blues manager.

A first half penalty from Elliott Ward and Leon Best strike 12 minutes from time gave City all three points after a much improved performance at the Ricoh.

Coleman made three changes to the side, welcoming Stephen Hughes and Julian Gray back into midfield, while Danny Fox returned at left-back.

But the Sky Blues suffered the worst possible start to the game when in the second minute, Hughes fell to the floor after the ball appeared to hit him in the face, with the midfielder subsequently stretchered off with a suspected head injury following a long delay.

It forced Coleman to shuffle his pack very early in the match, with Kevin Thornton coming on to replace the 31-year-old.

Coventry created a great opportunity to open the scoring on 14 minutes. From a short free kick, Danny Fox fired his shot towards goal. Ben Alnwick could only parry the ball and the ball eventually came to Elliott Ward, who dragged his chance wide.

Michael Hughes lifted one over on 29 minutes as both teams tried to find a rhythm, before the Sky Blues were awarded a penalty a minute later when Leon Best was pushed by Gareth McAuley.

In front of 5000 Leicester fans in the Jewson Stand, Elliott Ward coolly stepped up to take the resulting spot kick and blasted it under Alnwick and into the back of the net to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

A clever piece of play from Thornton and Best saw the ball fall to Tabb just a minute later with the former Brentford man hitting his shot well but seeing it fly wide.

Thornton was in the thick of it for the wrong reasons on 36 minutes when he became the first player to go into the book, following a challenge on Zsolt Laczko.

But Coventry City would keep the advantage going into the break in a first half which certainly wasn't short of physical challenges.

It continued a feisty affair after the break and Ward tried to double the advantage - and his own tally - when he volleyed into the keeper's arms just after the hour.

The Sky Blues had to soak up a fair bit of Foxes pressure but were defending stoutly and in the 78th minute they doubled their advantage.

The effervescent Thornton was the architect, playing Best into space, the striker hitting a sweet low drive across Alnwick and into the far corner of the net.

That goal effectively killed off any challenge from the visitors but Marshall produced a superb save from Iain Hume late on to preserve his clean sheet and round-off an excellent first game for Coleman's Coventry.

4thegame
Chris Coleman tasted victory in his first game as Coventry City manager, a win which lifted the Ricoh Arena side above their Midlands rivals.

But the win came at a cost for the new Coventry boss. The game was held up for six minutes after a nasty looking injury to captain Stephen Hughes.

Marcus Hall made a fine block to deny Matt Oakley who let fly from 22 yards out but the home defender appeared to catch Hughes with his follow through and the midfielder crashed to the floor.

He was attended by a team of medics and the club doctor before being stretchered off and then taken to hospital by ambulance.

It took a while for both sides to pick up the pace of the game after the early incident. Kevin Thornton, who came on for Hughes, caused problems with his direct running from midfield and in the 14th minute won a free-kick in a dangerous area.

Danny Fox fired in from outside the area and when Ben Alnwick beat the ball out, it just evaded the on-rushing Leon Best.

At the other end, Andy Marshall did well to hold on to a bobbling shot from Iain Hume.

The game needed a goal and it came to the home side on the half hour mark, courtesy of referee Keith Stroud. Fox played a superb long pass to Best in the area. He and Gareth McAuley tussled, but there looked nothing untoward until the official blew up and pointed to the spot.

Coventry seemed as surprised as Leicester, but Elliott Ward gladly stroked the spot-kick home.

Thornton was a tad lucky to escape with just a yellow card when he appeared to catch Oakley late on the ankle.

Ian Holloway was forced to make chanegs either side of half-time because of injury and saw his side mount a spirited, if fruitless, comeback.

Despite establishing a territorial advantage they never really looked threatening enough inside the final third.

Their hopes were snuffed out 11 minutes from time when Best turned in a shot from a very tight angle after good work from Thornton.

Coventry 0 West Brom 5 - FA Cup 5th Rnd - 16/02/2008

Coventry 0 West Brom 5 - FA Cup 5th Rnd - 16/02/2008

Coventry: Andy Marshall, Isaac Osbourne, Elliot Ward, Arjan De Zeeuw (Chris Birchall 75), Marcus Hall, Robbie Simpson (Kevin Thornton 75), Michael Hughes, Michael Doyle, Jay Tabb, Michael Mifsud, Leon Best
Subs not used: Dimi Konstantopoulos, Julian Gray, Gary Borrowdale
Sent off: Michael Doyle (48)

West Brom: Dean Kiely, Hoefkens, Leon Barnett, Martin Albrechtsen, Paul Robinson, Andrade Filipe Teixeira (Do-Heon Kim 74), James Morrison, Pedro Pele, Chris Brunt, Zoltan Gera (Craig Beattie 79), Roman Bednar (Ishmael Miller 70)
Subs not used: Michal Danek, Kevin Phillips
Booked: Leon Barnett
Goals: Chris Brunt 12, Roman Bednar 59, 69 pen, Ishmael Miller 76, Zoltab Gera 78

Attendance: 28,163
Referee: M Halsey

Teamtalk
West Brom eased into the FA Cup sixth round with a 5-0 win over midlands rivals Coventry in front of a record crowd at the Ricoh Arena.

The Baggies held a slender lead at the break courtesy of Chris Brunt's 12th-minute opener, but Michael Doyle was shown a straight red card at the start of the second half and that allowed Albion to assume total control.

Tony Mowbray's side plundered four second-half goals with Roman Bednar helping himself to two (59, 69 pen) and substitute Ishmael Miller scoring his first goal (76) since returning from a hamstring injury.

Zoltan Gera completed the rout (78) with a classy finish as Albion went one better than the 4-0 win they enjoyed at the Ricoh Arena in the Championship in November.

Coventry have spent much of the season drifting between mid-table obscurity and flirting with relegation. Sacking Iain Dowie as manager was the latest chapter in a period of instability at the club.

Dowie's dismissal following the collapse of a potential takeover and the club being placed under a transfer embargo, before Ray Ranson's Sisu consortium saved the Sky Blues from financial ruin with an 11th-hour bid to buy the club in December.

In contrast, West Brom this week rewarded manager Mowbray with a new three-and-a-half-year contract.

Brunt broke the deadlock in the 12th minute following a sustained spell of early Albion pressure.

Bednar crossed from the right-hand side and the Northern Ireland international, arriving at the far post, stooped to head the ball back across goal into the bottom corner from 12 yards out.

West Brom flew out of the blocks and created three good chances before Brunt opened the scoring.

Brunt's left-wing cross was headed wide by Gera in the sixth minute.

Soon afterwards Carl Hoefkens showed deft skill to flick the ball between Marcus Hall's legs and get to the byline. His low cross was met by Bednar at the far post but the Czech striker did not get a clean strike on the ball, and under pressure from a City defender he dragged his shot wide from 12 yards out.

In the ninth minute another dangerous ball into the box, this time from Gera, had to be headed out for a corner at the far post by Isaac Osbourne as Brunt closed in behind him.

Albion's early pressure was rewarded when Brunt headed home, but Coventry almost replied immediately.

Michael Mifsud did brilliantly to chase down a hopeful punt forward by Robbie Simpson, getting in between two Baggies defenders to draw a foul.

Michael Hughes' free-kick hit the defensive wall and ricocheted around the penalty area before Elliott Ward got the ball under control and teed up Michael Doyle 25 yards out, but his low shot whistled narrowly wide.

Coventry responded well to falling behind and continued to probe away.

They came close to equalising again just after the half-hour mark when a lofted ball into the box by Hall was headed powerfully over the crossbar by Leon Best.

However, the hosts were fortunate not to find themselves two goals behind soon after when Brunt's driven free-kick from down by the corner deflected off Hughes and on to the crossbar.

From the second of the two resulting corners Martin Albrechtsen looped a header wide.

Doyle's sending off baffled most of the 28,163 inside the Ricoh Arena but replays showed that the City captain did have a vicious swing at Gera with his foot as the Hungarian threatened to leave him in his wake on the right wing.

Coventry continued to contribute to their own demise and a howler by Andy Marshall just before the hour-mark presented Bednar with possibly the simplest goal he will score this season.

The Sky Blues goalkeeper kicked a back-pass straight to Bednar inside the area and the Czech coolly ran around him to roll the ball into an empty net.

Bednar grabbed his second goal of the game and his 13th of the campaign from the penalty spot.

It was his piece of skill that created the opportunity, forcing Elliott Ward to handle after he flicked the ball up inside the box.

Bednar dispatched the spot-kick with aplomb down the centre of the goal.

Miller raced clear in the 76th minute to finish left-footed when one on one with Marshall, before the goal of the game from Gera.

Miller cut the ball back to the edge of the 18-yard box where Gera shaped to shoot.

The Hungarian dummied his way past Ward before jinking his way towards goal where he rounded Marshall and rolled the ball home.

CCFC

Coventry City bowed out of the FA Cup in heavy fashion at the hands of West Bromwich Albion in front of a record crowd of 28,163 at the Ricoh Arena.

Chris Brunt put the Baggies ahead early on in the first-half before Michael Doyle was sent-off for City moments into the second period.

A mistake from goalkeeper Andy Marshall allowed Roman Bednar to add a second, who added a third moments later before further strikes from Ishmael Miller and Zoltan Gera ensured Tony Mowbray's men a place in the quarter finals.

The visitors were well worth their lead after dominating the opening exchanges, with Gera and Bednar both sending efforts wide of the target before Brunt struck.

Bednar was the architect, with the tall Czech sending in a teasing cross which winger Brunt met with a bullet header to leave Andy Marshall with no chance.

It was the Northern Irishman's second goal for the Baggies against City this season after netting four in three appearances against the Sky Blues for former club Sheffield Wednesday.

City's response saw a free-kick from Michael Hughes blocked before skipper Doyle had Dean Kiely scampering across his goal from the rebound, only to see his drive bobble narrowly wide of the bottom corner.

Leon Best was the home side's main attacking threat and went close on the half-hour, rising highest to head Marcus Hall's cross over from six-yards.

But the Baggies continued to look dangerous on the counter attack and almost doubled their lead shortly after when Brunt's powerful free-kick hit the crossbar via a flick from Bednar at the front-post.

The Sky Blues' task was made all the harder four minutes into the second-half as Doyle was dismissed for what appeared to be an innocuous foul on Gera.

And with City still reeling from referee Mark Halsey's decision, Albion were gifted a second goal.

Arjan De Zeeuw passed the ball back to Marshall, whose attempted pass back to the defender was intercepted by Bednar, who coolly rounded the keeper and slotted into an unguarded net.

Robbie Simpson sent a free-kick flying over the bar, but things got worse for the home side as Bednar grabbed his second and the Baggies' third from the penalty spot ten minutes later.

After De Zeeuw's handball stopped his run into the area, Bednar stepped-up to send Marshall the wrong way from the spot and end any hopes of a City comeback.

But the visitors didn't stop there, grabbing two goals in as many minutes to add insult to injury.

First, substitute Miller fired past the helpess keeper after latching onto a Pele through ball and then Gera side-stepped two challenges and beat Marshall with ease from close-range.

Hughes almost restored some pride for the Sky Blues with a low shot which Kiely pushed away before Mifsud skewed narrowly wide after finding space in the area.

Telegraph
The impromptu decision of the West Bromwich Albion players to fling their shirts into the heaving mass of celebrating away supporters, rather than the laundry basket, showed a disregard for both their own well-being in the freezing conditions, and the £300 bill likely to be sent to the dressing room from the chairman.

While not sanctioned by the manager, Tony Mowbray, he recognised the sentiment.

"The players know they let themselves and the fans down last week [when they lost 2-1 at Barnsley]," he said. "It's important to let the fans know that we do care passionately, and when we do have a bad day at the office, we don't go home and not worry about it."

Yes, he did expect Jeremy Peace, the chairman, to be concerned about the cost of the gesture. "The chairman won't mind me saying that," Mowbray said. "But it's OK: it's important to give the supporters something back."

Some might say five goals and a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup were reward enough.

This fifth-round rout also put to bed suggestions that Mowbray didn't care about the Cup. Promotion to the Premier League is the season's priority, but Mowbray is of "the next game's the most important" school of management.

Besides, there is a precedent deep in the club's history that suggests Cup success and promotion are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The team of 1931 not only beat Birmingham at Wembley, but were runners-up in Division Two to become the first club to complete the Cup-promotion double.

Today's draw will be crucial to their hopes of emulating their predecessors. "You've got to be realistic," Mowbray said, "and know that a draw against either Manchester United or Chelsea would probably be the end of our Cup run.

"But you never know. If you catch these teams on the back of a Champions League game, or building up to a Champions League semi-final, you never know what sort of side they are going to put out, and results can be had."

The ease with which they disposed of Coventry enabled Mowbray to protect some of his players with important Championship matches ahead.

Kevin Phillips, the leading scorer, was left on the bench, and his usual strike partner, Roman Bednar, was substituted with 20 minutes remaining, the job done.

Bednar played a significant part in three of the goals scored, claiming two of them himself. It was his pinpoint cross that set up Chris Brunt for the first, and his harrying of Andy Marshall that led to the goalkeeper's pass going straight to him for the second.

He also won the handball against Arjan de Zeeuw, and took the penalty that proved to be his last kick of the match.

Bednar, on loan from Hearts, is happy to be at a club where the manager picks the team and the chairman worries about the bills. "The first year at Hearts was fantastic and we won the Scottish Cup," he said. "But in the second season he [chairman Roman Romanov] spoke too much about what we should do and picked the team. He does things that are not the right way."

West Bromwich were not finished with Bednar's departure. Ishmael Miller, his replacement, held off two defenders to score the fourth before his square pass enabled Zoltan Gera to round things off.

Coventry would offer the dismissal of captain Michael Doyle soon after half-time for a controversial challenge on Gera as mitigation. In truth, they were well beaten, even at 1-0.

Coventry chairman Ray Ranson last night said he is close to appointing a replacement for Iain Dowie, who was sacked last week, with Chris Coleman the favourite.

Coventry 0 Cardiff 0 - 12/02/2008

Coventry 0 Cardiff 0 - 12/02/2008

Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward, Daniel Fox, Scott Dann, Michael Hughes, Isaac Osbourne, Julian Gray (Liam Davis 67), Jay Tabb (Wayne Andrews 80), Michael Doyle, Michael Mifsud (Robbie Simpson 59), Leon Best
Subs not used: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Marcus Hall
Booked: Liam Davis 90, Leon Best 73, Jay Tabb 67

Cardiff City: Peter Enckelman, Kevin McNaughton, Glenn Loovens, Roger Johnson, Tony Capaldi, Joe Ledley (Stephen McPhail 64), Gavin Rae, Aaron Ramsey, Paul Parry, Peter Whittingham (Brown 88), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Steven Thompson 77)
Subs not used: Darren Purse, Michael Oakes
Booked: Glenn Loovens 11, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 48

Attendance: 15260
Referee: D McDermidd

Teamtalk
Managerless Coventry turned in an improved performance in a 0-0 draw against Cardiff in Tuesday's Championship clash at the Ricoh Arena.

It was attritional at times as the two sides had to settle for a point which does little to enhance their respective relegation and promotion causes.

Coventry, without a manager after sacking Dowie on Monday, shaded the first half while the Bluebirds edged it after the break.

Michael Mifsud and then Dan Fox went close with low efforts from outside the area either side of the half hour mark.

Paul Parry was denied by a goal-saving challenge from Isaac Osbourne at the start of the second half before the Wales international was later thwarted by Andy Marshall on two other occasions.

Frankie Bunn was placed in charge of first team affairs after Dowie was dismissed just a week short of what would have been his first anniversary at the helm.

He made five changes to the side that lost for the fifth time in six league matches at Preston, including recalling top scorer Mifsud and replacing Dimi Konstantopoulos in goal with Marshall.

But it was to little avail as the same old problems remained for the Sky Blues.

Chairman Ray Ranson stated that Dowie's coaching methods were too old fashioned and that a more 'progressive and modern approach' was needed.

On this showing, there is a lot to do for whoever succeeds him, with the team desperately short of confidence inside the final third of the pitch.

Goals have been a problem for Coventry all season - the Sky Blues have scored just 17 in 16 home games - and they lacked a creative edge once again.

The game started slowly and, a tame 20-yard effort from Cardiff's Peter Whittingham which was easily gathered by Marshall aside, the first real effort on goal did not arrive until the 27th minute.

Julian Gray slipped the ball down the left channel to Mifsud. The Malta international turned infield and arrowed towards the penalty area before hitting a 25-yard shot that was deflected narrowly wide.

Coventry came close again just after the half hour mark when Fox's low free-kick whistled inches past the post.

Parry's curling left-foot shot from the edge of the area which was easily smothered by Marshall was Cardiff's only effort of note during the first half.

The Bluebirds flew out of the blocks in the second half and Osbourne made a goal-saving challenge to deny Parry after Marshall had spilled Gavin Rae's shot from the edge of the box.

Marshall improvised well to repel a swerving Parry shot with his chest soon after.

Parry was denied again late on when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink played him in late on.

CCFC
The Sky Blues battled to their first goalless draw of the season as life after Iain Dowie began in uninspiring fashion at the Ricoh Arena.

In a game of few chances, City went closest in the first-half when Michael Mifsud forced Cardiff goalkeeper Peter Enckelman into a good save.

The visitors created the better opportunities after the break but excellent saves from Andy Marshall denied Paul Parry.

Marshall was one of five changes to the side by beaten 1-0 at Preston on Saturday as caretaker bosses Frank Bunn and John Harbin reshuffled the back four.

Scott Dann made his first start for City at centre-back, Danny Fox returned at left-back while Michael Hughes and Mifsud replaced Stephen Hughes and Robbie Simpson respectively.

A tentative start saw neither team threaten early on, although the Sky Blues had decent claims for a penalty turned down when Leon Best's flick appeared to hit the arm of Tony Capaldi inside the area.

Their first real chance of the game arrived midway through the first-half when a low drive from Mifsud from the edge of the area was turned around the post by the Bluebirds' on loan Blackburn goalkeeper Peter Enckelman.

At the other end, Andy Marshall on hand to keep out an effort from Paul Parry but it was City who continued to pose the more dangerous attacking threat with a fierce free-kick from Danny Fox flying narrowly wide of the target.

However, Cardiff should have taken the lead with the second half just thirty seconds old as Marshall parried Peter Whittingham's drive before a superb last ditch block from Isaac Osbourne denied Parry from the rebound.

Parry then sent a speculative low effort flashing wide from the edge of the area before Marshall did well to beat away a swerving shot from the Welshman from a similar position.

City were struggling to recapture their first-half incisiveness on the break and bar a dangerous cross from Julian Gray which was nicked off the head of Best at the back post by Glenn Loovens, they failed to test Enckelman.

Despite throwing on Robbie Simpson for a largely ineffective Mifsud in search of a winner, Marshall remained the busier keeper, saving from Parry again before standing firm to keep out a header from substitute Steven Thompson.

The home side finally forced their first shot on target in the second period with 15 minutes left when Simpson's deflected shot was comfortably saved by Enckelman.

And their second followed moments later, as Best was thwarted by a timely block from Roger Johnson after finding space just inside the area.

But the elusive goal never looked likely to arrive as both sides settled for a share of the spoils.

4thegame
Managerless Coventry City earned a vital point against Cardiff City in a goalless draw.

The Sky Blues, who parted company with manager Iain Dowie on Monday morning, had lost five from their last six league outings before the game and were dangerously close to the relegation zone.

But while new chairman Ray Ranson searches for 'a more progressive and modern management approach', caretakers Frankie Bunn and John Harbin rallied the troops and looked to halt the team's slide.

Cardiff, meanwhile, looked to bounce back after two defeats which have seen them lose ground on the play-off places.

If Coventry's players were distracted by the off-field shenanigans, it didn't seem to show and they started well.

However, their dominance did not produce chances and they had to wait until the 29th minute for their first shot.

After Michael Hughes won the ball and fed Michael Mifsud, the striker found space and fired in a low shot only to see it palmed away by Peter Enckelman.

The chance woke-up Cardiff and three minutes later they had their first chance.

A mis-hit Coventry free-kick eventually fell into the path of Paul Parry, but the Welshman's bouncing effort was gathered well by Andy Marshall.

Cardiff started the second half with a flurry and should have been ahead within a minute of the restart.

Gavin Rae's should have scored but his shot was saved by Marshall and the loose ball fell to Parry, but Isaac Osbourne's last-gasp dive blocked the shot.

Parry had two more chances to put the Bluebirds ahead. In the 48th his shot from 18-yards flashed past the post and on 55 minutes his fierce drive hit Marshall's chest and bounced clear.

Cardiff dominated the half and pressed for a winner and Parry again came close in the 75th, but the impressive Marshall was equal to the threat.

Coventry managed their only effort in the second period four minutes later when substitute Robbie Simpson tried his luck from 20-yards out, but his weak shot was simple for Enckelman.

The Bluebirds continued to press for a winner but in the end had to settle for a point.

Preston 1 Coventry 0 - 09/02/2008

Preston 1 Coventry 0 - 09/02/2008

Preston North End: Andy Lonergan, Liam Chilvers, , Matthew Hill, Paul McKenna, Chris Sedgwick, Simon Whaley, Billy Jones, Darren Carter, Karl Hawley (Brett Ormerod 80), Chris Brown (Neil Mellor 87)
Subs not used: Youl Mawene, Richard Chaplow, Grzegorz Szamotulski
Goals: Sean St. Ledger 21

Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Elliott Ward, Marcus Hall (Scott Dann 81), Arjan De Zeeuw, Stephen Hughes (Michael Hughes 45), Jay Tabb, Isaac Osbourne, Julian Gray, Michael Doyle, Robbie Simpson (Michael Mifsud 55), Leon Best,
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Liam Davis
Booked: Arjan De Zeeuw 90

Attendance: 11857
Referee: M Pike

Teamtalk
Struggling Preston moved out of the Championship relegation zone for the first time since Christmas after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Coventry.

Defender Sean St Ledger gave the Lilywhites a deserved half-time lead after heading home his first goal of the season in the 21st minute.

And despite Coventry pushing forward for most of the second half, St Ledger's goal proved enough to secure Preston's fourth straight home win and take them above Sheffield Wednesday.

The Lilywhites have also climbed to within two points of Coventry, whose spirited second-half performance did not reflect a side which has slipped towards the drop zone after a run of five successive away defeats in the league.

Eager to maintain their recent home form, Preston impressed from the outset and went close in the 11th minute when Chris Brown nodded down a Liam Chilvers free-kick for midfielder Darren Carter to fire narrowly wide from 20 yards.

Brown, who like Chris Sedgwick returned from suspension, was also off target with a long-range effort before Leon Best led a Coventry break in the 14th minute.

The Sky Blues striker laid the ball wide for Michael Doyle and Preston defender Chilvers did well to turn the ball over from inside his own six-yard box.

Best then headed wide from a deep cross by Marcus Hall, making his first appearance since November after being sidelined with an Achilles problem, but Preston managed to take the lead moments later.

Carter played a short corner to Paul McKenna and took the return pass to hit an inswinging cross from the Preston right, and St Ledger stole in at the back post to head home from six yards.

The visitors continued to look menacing on the break and Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan did well to hold on to a fierce 25-yard strike from Isaac Osbourne just after the half-hour mark.

Brown then fired straight at Coventry keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos from Karl Hawley's pull-back before playing in left winger Simon Whaley, who was denied by a fine one-handed save from Konstantopoulos.

The visitors made a positive response and within five minutes of the restart, Best worked enough room to unleash a stinging 20-yard strike which Lonergan managed to turn out for a corner.

Whaley then fired into the side-netting for Preston from Hawley's lay-off while Coventry's Jay Tabb had a shot blocked after good build-up play between Best, Hall and substitute Michael Mifsud.

The game remained in the balance as Mifsud's 25-yard effort forced Lonergan into action, before Hawley fired too close to Konstantopoulos after Carter broke for Preston.

St Ledger then missed a gilt-edged opportunity to double Preston's lead when he sent an unmarked header straight at Konstantopoulos from McKenna's 75th-minute free-kick.

Preston had a scare when Matthew Hill's tackle on Best almost sent the ball wide of Lonergan, and although substitute Neil Mellor fired over from McKenna's pull-back in stoppage time, Coventry failed to fashion another opening in the closing stages.

CCFC
Coventry City's winless league run at Deepdale continued as the Sky Blues suffered a 1-0 defeat to Preston North End.

Sean St Ledger's neat header on 21 minutes gave the Lilywhites all three points on an afternoon when City failed to capitalise on the chances they created.

Michael Mifsud and Leon Best went close but it was not to be for the Sky Blues despite sustained pressure in the second half.

Iain Dowie made two changes to the side which beat Barnsley 4-0 at the Ricoh Arena last weekend.

Danny Fox was unavailable due to gastric flu, so Marcus Hall came into the side at left-back. Hall only returned to action in the reserves in midweek after a long spell out because of an Achilles injury.

Robbie Simpson started up front in place of Mifsud, who was rested after playing for Malta in midweek. The diminutive striker had to be content with a place on the bench.

Andy Marshall returned to the bench for the Sky Blues.

In a scrappy affair on a sunny afternoon in Lancashire, both sides failed to carve out any real opportunities in the opening 10 minutes.

That changed 60 seconds later when Darren Carter collected the ball in the middle of the park and fired a shot inches wide of Konstantopoulos' post.

The Sky Blues began to find their rhythm shortly after and nearly went a goal to the good courtesy of Preston's Liam Chilvers. Following Michael Doyle's cross, the defender almost headed the ball into his own net.

Shortly after, Best flashed a header just wide but all the good work was undone on 21 minutes when Preston took the lead. Carter's accurate cross found St Ledger at the far post, who guided his header into the bottom corner.

The goal did not seem to give Dowie's side renewed impetus and the Lilywhites created the better of the opportunities midway through the first half namely through Paul McKenna with a header.

Isaac Osbourne tried his luck with a shot from range but it was a comfortable save for keeper Andy Lonergan. Chris Brown nearly doubled North End's lead on 40 minutes when he found himself in acres of space yet the striker could only manage a tame shot which Konstantopoulos comfortably saved.

Konstantopoulos kept the Sky Blues in the game on the stroke of half-time with a magnificent save to deny Simon Whaley. The shot stopper showed his agility to get down well to Whaley's goal bound strike.

City emerged from the interval revitalised with Michael Hughes replacing Stephen Hughes.

Best's rasping drive stung the hands of Lonergan, who did well to tip the ball over the bar. Mifsud was brought into the action on 56 minutes to freshen up the attack and it worked.

A goal mouth scramble emerged following good work from the combination of Mifsud and Best. Yet somehow the Sky Blues could not find a way past a resolute Preston rear guard.

The pace of Mifsud was causing Alan Irvine's side problems and Jay Tabb went close following Best's neat turn inside the penalty area.

The Maltese striker was at the heart of all the Sky Blues' good work and the impish forward tested the agility of Lonergan with a fierce low shot from 20 yards.

St Ledger should have furthered the Lilywhites' advantage on 75 minutes when he escaped his marker but the defender could only guide his free header into the grateful hands of Konstantopoulos.

Three minutes of stoppage time were added but City could muster that all important equaliser.

4thegame
Preston North End moved out of the relegation zone with their fourth successive home win, an important 1-0 victory against Coventry City.

Man of the match, Sean St Ledger, scored the all-important goal after 21 minutes when Darren Carter's right-wing corner was taken short to Paul McKenna.

He passed the ball back to Carter who hit an inch-perfect cross to St Ledger who was running in from the left to head home from six yards into the keeper's bottom left-hand corner of the net.

It was his first goal of the season, second goal for Preston and third goal of his career.

Carter, seven minutes later, hit over a similar cross and St Ledger again had a six-yard header which was saved by the Coventry keeper.

Isaac Osbourne had a 25-yard right-foot shot from the left channel saved by Preston's Andy Lonergan before Karl Hawley found Chris Brown and his 12-yard right-foot shot was saved by Coventry keeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos.

Preston captain McKenna then found Brown with a cross and he hit a left-foot volley from inside the penalty area which the keeper saved.

Brown found Simon Whaley just before half-time and his ten-yard right-foot shot from the left of the penalty area was pushed around the post for a right-wing corner by the Coventry keeper.

In the 50th minute, Leon Best had a 25-yard right-foot shot which Preston keeper Lonergan tipped over the bar for a corner.

Sky Blues captain Michael Doyle was on target with a 25-yard left-foot shot from inside the right channel but this was also saved by the Preston keeper.

Michael Mifsud hit a 25-yard right-foot shot which Lonergan dived to his right to save and Hawley had an effort for Preston from 20 yards that was also saved.

McKenna then found St Ledger with a free-kick but the goalscorer's eight-yard header was straight at the keeper.

Coventry 4 Barnsley 0 - 02/02/2008

Coventry 4 Barnsley 0 - 02/02/2008

Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Elliott Ward, Arjan De Zeeuw (Scott Dann 85), Daniel Fox, Isaac Osbourne, Julian Gray (Liam Davis 83), Michael Doyle, Jay Tabb, Stephen Hughes, Michael Mifsud (Robbie Simpson 72), Leon Best,
Subs not used: Ellery Cairo, Michael Hughes
Booked: Daniel Fox 20
Goals: Leon Best 37, 84, Julian Gray 70, Jay Tabb 75

Barnsley: Tony Warner, Lewin Nyatanga, Dennis Souza, Miguel Angelo Tininho, Steven Foster, De Silva, Brian Howard, Ayarza Diego León (Kayode Odejayi 71), Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Martin Devaney 45), Daniel Nardiello (Istvan Ferenczi 63), Jon Macken,
Subs not used: Bobby Hassell, Michael Coulson
Booked: Daniel Nardiello 57, Brian Howard 82, Jon Macken 52

Attendance: 16449
Referee: M Russell

Teamtalk
Leon Best silenced his critics by marking his return to the side with two goals in Coventry's 4-0 demolition of Barnsley at the Ricoh Arena.

Best had been on the bench for the last two matches since handing in a transfer request last month after discovering that his home-town club Nottingham Forest had expressed an interest in signing him.

Coventry rejected two bids from the League One side and the transfer deadline passed with Best still at the Ricoh Arena.

He was only recalled to Iain Dowie's starting line-up after the City boss sold strike pair Kevin Kyle and Dele Adebola, and he justified his selection with possibly his best performance since joining the club in a £650,000 deal from Southampton in the summer.

Best opened the scoring and completed the rout, as well as having a hand in the goals scored by Julian Gray and Jay Tabb in between.

Best's first arrived after Julian Gray's cross was flicked on by Tabb and the ball dropped at his feet 10 yards out.

The former Southampton forward took one touch to control before turning on a sixpence and firing the ball past Tony Warner for his first goal in nine games.

It was just reward for Best who had made a nuisance of himself for much of the first half.

Best had seen earlier goalbound efforts blocked by Miguel Tininho and Dennis Souza and seen a header shave the crossbar before finally breaking the deadlock.

Best turned provider in the 70th minute when his low, driven cross from down by the corner flag was steered home at the far post by Gray.

Five minutes later Best crashed a header against the crossbar and the ball broke for Tabb who had the simple task of tapping the ball into an unguarded net from inside the six-yard box.

Tabb returned the favour in the 84th minute when his cross was flicked on by substitute Liam Davis and Best coolly finished from 12 yards out for his sixth goal of the season.

Michael Mifsud tested Warner with a fierce left-foot shot in the 14th minute and Gray extended him again five minutes before the break with a low strike that was parried by the on-loan Fulham keeper.

Barnsley's only effort of note in the first half was a 25-yard shot by Diego Leon that flashed across the face of the goal.

The Tykes were forced into a change at half-time with Martin Devaney replacing the injured Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

Simon Davey made his second substitution just after the hour mark by bringing on Istvan Ferenczi for Daniel Nardiello, but it failed to inspire a comeback.

Just like the first half, Barnsley lacked creativity and could only muster a long-range effort from Jon Macken that went side.

Best continued to torment the visitors and he had a hand in both Gray's and Tabb's goals before rounding off a superb performance with his second of the game six minutes from time.

CCFC
Leon Best scored two and had a hand in the others as the Sky Blues returned to winning ways in style against Barnsley at the Ricoh Arena.

The striker, starting his first game since handing in a transfer request last month, turned in a virtuoso display as Iain Dowie's men recorded their first win in the Championship in 2008 and their first clean-sheet since October.

Best broke open the deadlock in the 37th minute to hand City a deserved opener, firing an unstoppable drive into the far corner from 12-yards.

He then turned provider in the second-half, crossing for Julian Gray to apply the finish at the back post.

Jay Tabb added a third after more good work from Best, who grabbed his second with six minutes left with a neat finish.

City were always in control against the mid-table Tykes and could have gone ahead even earlier had timely blocks not foiled Michael Mifsud and Best.

Best went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 13th minute when he beat Barnsley keeper Tony Warner to a Gray cross but headed narrowly over.

However, after the visitors had repelled a number of attacks, Best arrowed a vicious right-footed shot into the far corner which left Warner rooted to the spot.

Gray almost doubled the home side's advantage moments before the half-time whistle but Warner fumbled his cross-cum-shot behind.

The experience custodian, a transfer deadline day signing from Fulham, then almost carried the ball into his own net under pressure from Elliott Ward at the start of the second-half.

The second arrived in the 70th minute when the Barnsley defence failed to cut out Best's teasing low cross and Gray was on hand to tuck the ball into the net at the back-post.

Best was again heavily involved five minute later as he headed substitute Robbie Simpson's cross against the crossbar, but Tabb raced in to nod the rebound into an empty net.

The striker finally got the second goal he deserved soon after as he cleverly brought the ball down at the back-post, powered past his marker and fired low into the far corner.

And he almost capped a fine afternoon with a hat-trick in the final moments, but was ruled offside as he tucked the ball home from close-range.

4thegame
Coventry City ended a run of four successive league defeats against poor travellers Barnsley.

The South Yorkshire team, who have won only once in the league away from Oakwell this term, arrived late after the coach's satellite navigation system took the team to Coventry's old ground Highfield Road.

And it didn't get much better for Simon Davey's men on the pitch.

Coventry's left-back Danny Fox was shown a yellow card in the 20th minute for fouling Jamal Campbell-Ryce, meaning the new signing from Walsall faces a one-match ban.

The home team were rewarded for their pressure when Leon Best grabbed his fourth league goal of the season in the 37th minute.

The striker turned quickly just inside the area to beat debutant keeper Tony Warner with an unstoppable shot.

Best then turned provider to set up Julian Gray and his angled shot was turned round his near post by the keeper.

Barnsley rarely troubled the Sky Blues in the final third in the first half as they were repeatedly caught offside. The Tykes skipper Brian Howard fired a 25-yard shot high over the bar in a rare effort towards goal.

Davey brought on former Coventry trainee Martin Devaney at the break for Campbell-Ryce and he posed problems down the right wing. It was his cross which Isaac Osbourne was forced to head wide before Diego Leon could pounce in the 54th minute.

Coventry notched a decisive second goal in the 70th minute when Dennis Souza failed to cut out Best's right-wing cross and Gray tapped the ball home at the far post.

The Sky Blues were on target again six minutes later when Gray's left-wing cross was headed against the bar by Best and Jay Tabb headed in the rebound.

Coventry scored four gaols against Barnsley for the second time this season when Best collected Tabb's cross before side-stepping a defender and placing a shot into the far corner of the net.