Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Coventry 1 Swansea 1 - 25/11/2008

Coventry 1 Swansea 1 - 25/11/2008

Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Elliott Ward, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Stephen Wright (Isaac Osbourne 33), Michael Mifsud, Michael Doyle, Guillaume Beuzelin (Aron Gunnarsson 69), Robbie Simpson, Clinton Morrison, Freddy Eastwood, Isaac Osbourne (Marcus Hall 45)
Subs not used: Leon Best, Andy Marshall
Booked: Daniel Fox 21, Guillaume Beuzelin 65
Goals: Daniel Fox 87

Swansea City: Dorus de Vries, Frederico Bessone, Angel Zaragoza Rangel, Gary Monk, Ashley Williams, Owain Tudor Jones, Mark Gower (Thomas Butler 90), Darren Pratley, Garcia Jordi Gomez, Jason Scotland (Guillem Mayol Bussy 79), Gorka Pintado
Subs not used: Shaun MacDonald, Artur Krysiak, Alan Tate
Goals: Garcia Jordi Gomez 67

Attendance: 15149
Referee: M Haywood

Teamtalk
Coventry's Daniel Fox netted a late equaliser to cancel out Jordi Gomez's opener for Swansea as the two sides drew 1-1 at the Ricoh Arena.

Gomez's sublime effort in the 67th minute was matched by Fox three minutes from time as the Sky Blues fought back to earn a deserved point.

Swansea clearly missed their star turn Ferrie Bodde, sidelined for the remainder of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in the home defeat to Birmingham on Friday.

His omission was one of three changes enforced upon manager Roberto Martinez as Dorus De Vries, Owain Tudur Jones and Jason Scotland were recalled.

Coventry boss Chris Coleman named an unchanged side against his hometown club.

The Sky Blues made a lively start and Swansea survived an early scare after a period of intense pressure from the hosts.

Following a series of blocked shots and ricochets inside the six-yard box, coupled with a superb save from point-blank range by De Vries, the ball broke to Clinton Morrison who tapped it into the net.

The Republic of Ireland striker wheeled off in celebration only to be stopped in his tracks by an offside flag.

In the seventh minute Michael Mifsud's low shot across goal from the right-hand side of the area rolled inches past the far post.

Three minutes later, Freddy Eastwood crossed from the same side to the near post where Morrison had lost his marker but he glanced his header wide.

Fox was booked for a late sliding challenge on Gomez after 21 minutes, his fifth yellow of the season earning a one-match ban.

Robbie Simpson's well-struck shot from the left-hand side of the box midway through the first half forced a good save from De Vries. From Fox's resulting corner, Elliott Ward headed wide from 10 yards out.

Angel Rangel was guilty of a glaring miss in the 26th minute after Swansea had carved open their hosts for the first time.

Fellow Spaniard Gorka Pintado swung a low cross into the box but Rangel turned and dragged his shot wide.

Coventry continued to look the most menacing after the break and Guillaume Beuzelin should have done better than blast two efforts over the crossbar either side of the hour mark.

In between, only a superb sliding tackle by Garry Monk to block Eastwood's 10-yard shot prevented Coventry from taking the lead.

Gomez headed straight at Westwood from close range as Swansea threatened on the counter-attack. Soon after, the Spaniard did find the back of the net.

Gomez, on loan from Espanyol, curled a left-foot shot past Keiren Westwood from 25-yards.

Morrison had another close-range effort chalked off in the 79th minute as it started to look like it would not be Coventry's evening.

But Fox ensured the points were shared when he scored his first home goal since his January move from Walsall.

The full-back's effort was reminiscent of Gomez's strike but hit the underside of the bar and bounced down over the line.

CCFC
Danny Fox managed to hand the Sky Blues a point with a sublime late free kick after they fell behind to Jordi Gomez.

Coventry are still without a win at the Ricoh Arena since early October but there will have been no complaints about the effort of Coleman's side who had two goals ruled out for offside and conceded the opener from a questionable free kick.

The headed into the break on level terms after a goalless first half.

The opening 45 minutes still proved to be expensive for City manager Coleman though who was first forced to substitute right back Stephen Wright after the half hour mark and then had to replace Osbourne with Marcus Hall just before the break.

Injury worries aside, the Sky Blues started very brightly and had one effort cleared off the line and another ruled offside in the first five minutes.

Ward's half volleyed effort from Danny Fox's deep cross after four minutes was batted off the line by Ashley Williams and Clinton Morrison then bundled the returned clearance past Swansea 'keeper Dorus De Vries only to be ruled offside.

The Sky Blues showed plenty of attacking bite with a number of crosses.

And Freddy Eastwood also nearly benefited from a nice display of first-time flicks between himself and Morrison, bearing down on goal only to be denied by a superb last ditch tackle from Williams.

Swans' right winger Angel Rangel had easily the best opportunity to open the scoring in the first half though.

Mark Gower got to the byline on Coventry's left and crossed for an unmarked Rangle who did the hard part controlling the ball but then dragged is shot wide across Keiren Westwood's goal from just four yards out after 25 minutes.

The Sky Blues continued their attacking ways in the second half but for all their possession struggled to break down the Swansea back line.

And when Guillaume Beuzelin was harshly penalized for a foul on Jordi Gomez, who did not endear himself to the Sky Blues fans after later being penalized for diving, Gomez dispated the free kick past Keiren Westwood from around 20 yards our, curling it inside the near post after 66 minutes.

Coventry must have thought luck was not on their side ten minutes later when another Morrison goal was yet again ruled offside.

Fox's clever free kick, played short to Mifsud on the edge of the area who flicked the ball into the six yard box, eventually reached De Vries who spilled into Morrison's path allowing him to poke home.

But he again fell victim to the assistant referee's flag much to his annoyance.

No-one could have begrudged Coventry their leveler though with three minutes to go when Robbie Simpson was fouled near the semi circle three yeards outside the area.

Fox then stepped up and placed an exquisite free kick beyond the reach of De Vries into his top corner, striking the underside of the crossbar as it went it.

Coventry could also have snatched all three points at the death when Scott Dann's downward header was saved point blank by De Vries as the hosts launched a frantic final attack.

But it finshed honours even, the least the Sky Blues deserved after another enthusiastic display which yielded less than it warranted.

4thegame
A late free-kick from Daniel Fox earned Coventry City a much-needed point at home to Swansea City.

Coventry were the stronger side for much of the match - but Jordi Gomez scored a quality set-piece from 25 yards to give them a 67th-minute lead.

But just as the Sky Blues looked to be heading for their third home defeat on the bounce, Fox stepped up to score a matching effort with just three minutes to go.

It was a fair result for Coventry who had every reason to feel that luck had deserted them.

Referee Mark Haywood had denied them a penalty, ruled out two goals and awarded a dubious foul for the all-important Swansea free-kick. The home side also lost right-back Stephen Wright to injury in the first half - only for his replacement, Isaac Osbourne, to hobble off minutes later.

The penalty appeal came in the sixth minute. The ball fell in front of Freddy Eastwood with an open goal to aim at but, as he tried to shoot, Angel Rangel pulled him to the ground - but no foul was given.

A minute later, team-mate Clinton Morrison had the ball in the net when Dorus de Vries parried an Elliott Ward shot to the striker - only for the linesman to rule the goal out for offside.

The home side continued the pressure with Michael Mifsud going close and Robbie Simpson forcing a save from de Vries with a 25-yard drive.

Swansea had to wait until the 59th minute to register their first shot on target - but after Guillaume Beuzelin was penalised for a seemingly fair tackle shortly after, Gomez showed his class to put the visitors ahead.

Coventry continued to push forward and Morrison thought he had scored again in the 77th minute - only to be met with another offside flag.

But with the game nearing stoppage time, Fox stepped up to strike his effort into the top corner to give Coventry a valuable point.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Sheffield Weds 0 Coventry 1 - 22/11/2008

Sheffield Wednesday 0 Coventry 1 - 22/11/2008

Sheffield Wednesday: Lee Grant, Mark Beevers, Anthony McMahon, Lewis Buxton, Richard Wood, Sean McAllister, Marcus Tudgay, James O'Connor, Jermaine Johnson, Francis Jeffers (Jimmy Smith 85), Leon Clarke (Deon Burton 69)
Booked: Jermaine Johnson 28
Subs not used: Richard O'Donnell, Frankie Simek, Rocky Lekej

Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Scott Dann, Stephen Wright, Robbie Simpson (Marcus Hall 90), Guillaume Beuzelin, Michael Doyle, Freddy Eastwood (Leon Best 79), Michael Mifsud (Isaac Osbourne 71), Clinton Morrison
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Ben Turner
Booked: Elliott Ward 73, Freddy Eastwood 76, Stephen Wright 84
Goals: Clinton Morrison 60

Attendance: 16119
Referee: K Friend

Teamtalk
Clinton Morrison headed the winner as Coventry beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 to earn their third away win of the season in the Championship.

The former Crystal Palace striker's header flew into the top corner in the 58th minute to send Sheffield Wednesday crashing to only their second league defeat of the season at Hillsborough.

But at the end of a week when manager Brian Laws questioned which direction the South Yorkshire club were heading in, the Owls were left floundering by Morrison's instinctive finish.

Wednesday had the better of the first half, with big striker Leon Clarke twice going close to lifting a tepid encounter between two teams languishing in lower mid-table.

Laws' side huffed and puffed in a bid to rescue a point in the latter stages, but Marcus Tudgay blazed over and the ever-decreasing crowds at Hillsborough - today's was 16,119 - says much about the current ambition of a club which has yet to find a new chairman nearly 12 months after the departure of the unpopular Dave Allen.

Laws was forced to make four changes to the side that lost at Derby last week, with Francis Jeffers, Sean McAllister, on-loan Stoke defender Lewis Buxton and Jermaine Johnson all returning.

Coventry manager Chris Coleman responded to successive defeats by recalling Stephen Wright, Elliott Ward, Guillaume Beuzelin, Freddy Eastwood and Michael Mifsud.

Wednesday were denied a flying start only by the woodwork.

Leon Clarke swung a foot at a loose ball in the Coventry penalty area and Beuzelin's last-ditch block forced the ball to spin over goalkeeper Keiren Westwood and rebound off the crossbar in the first minute.

Coventry wasted their own golden chance four minutes later when Michael Doyle dallied in the area following Clinton Morrison's cross.

Clarke then headed McAllister's cross narrowly high and wide, Westwood tipped McMahon's bouncing ball into the area over his crossbar and Morrison deflected McMahon's curling cross for a corner.

Westwood did well to punch away another dangerous ball in from McMahon, this time a corner in the 33rd minute.

Coventry began the second half with more intent and Wednesday goalkeeper Lee Grant reacted sharply to punch Robbie Simpson's cross clear.

Wednesday's penalty appeals when the ball hit Daniel Fox's hand in the area came to nothing before the home side spurned a golden chance.

Tudgay played in Johnson on the left-hand edge of the penalty area and the Owls winger surged powerfully through on goal only to shoot wide.

The game at last had livened up and when McAllister rifled the ball beyond Westwood from inside the area, the Owls thought they had broken the deadlock, but referee Kevin Friend spotted his assistant's flag raised for offside.

Moments later Coventry stole into the lead. Fox fired in a fine first-time cross and Morrison headed the ball past a static Grant into the top corner in the 58th minute.

Jeffers went close to hauling Wednesday level with a curling free-kick following Ward's lunge on James O'Connor, but Westwood reacted in brilliant fashion to fingertip the ball away for a corner.

Tudgay blasted the ball over at the far post when a little more luck and composure could have rescued a point, but Coventry held firm.

CCFC
The Sky Blues got back to winning ways with a hard-fought win at Sheffield Wednesday.

Clinton Morrison's sixth goal of the season - a superb header - was enough to give City the three points in a tight affair at Hillsborough.

Chris Coleman made four changes to the side that lost to Plymouth last weekend. Freddy Eastwood, Stephen Wright, Guillaume Beuzelin and Michael Mifsud were recalled, with Leon Best and Isaac Osbourne dropping to the bench. Jay Tabb was left out of the squad due to flu while Aron Gunnarsson served a one-match suspension.

Wednesday started brightly and could have been ahead in the first minute when Beuzelin's clearance deflected off Wednesday's Leon Clarke towards goal. The ball looped over Keiren Westwood but hit the crossbar and was cleared.

Coleman's men had their first chance after five minutes when Clinton Morrison did well to get a cross into the area. The ball fell to Michael Doyle but the Irishman failed to control the ball and he was tackled before he could shoot.

Wednesday were causing problems and Clarke came close in the ninth minute when he rose to meet a Sean McAllister cross - but his header went over the bar.

City were struggling to maintain possession and after Danny Fox had a shot blocked in the 18th minute, Wednesday's McMahon sent a deceiving cross towards goal which Westwood had to tip over the bar again. Wednesday failed to produce an effort from the corner.

Jermaine Johnson was causing problems for City and was half a yard away from winning a penalty. He skipped past Wright and Beuzelin, taking a tumble. The referee gave a free-kick much to the annoyance of City's players and fans but the set-piece leads to nothing.

Johnson received a booking minutes later in the 28th minute when he went in hard of Simpson. All 22 players came together after the incidient but things stayed calm as Simpson received treatment.

Wednesday were back on the attack minutes later and after winning a corner, McMahon's cross went directly towards goal causing Westwood to save well in the 33rd minute.

The game suffered from a quiet patch with neither side clinical in the final third. Wednesday's fans voiced their frustration at their side's forward play with loud groans greeting every misplaced pass.

But the second half started with a bang and Morrison got City's first effort on target after rising to meet a Fox corner. The header looked goal bound but Wednesday swiped the ball off the line.

Coventry's passing had improved and they looked more cutting than in the first period. But the home side still threatened and Johnson should have given them the lead in the 55th minute when he broke through City's defence to leave himself with a clear chance at Westwood's goal - but his shot was soft and wide.

Minutes later ,City punished the Owls for the miss. Fox broke down the left and played a dangerous ball towards Morrison. The former Palace man rose above his defender and flicked a sublime headed into the top corner of Grant's goal to give City the lead.

City were buoyed by the goal and defended solidly for ten minutes while matching the hosts in midfield. Isaac Osbourne was introduced to support the midfield in the 71st minute, with Mifsud making way.

Wednesday eventually had a chance after Ward tripped James O'Connor 20 yards from goal in the 74th minute. Francis Jeffers stepped up and curled the ball over the wall - but the outstretched hand of Westwood tipped the effort around the post.

Ward and Dann continued to defend well after the effort, clearing away every Wednesday cross and attack. Best was introduced in the 78th minute and greeted with loud cheers from the excellent away support.

Wright was also on hand to protect City's lead in the 83rd minute when the ball fell to the feet of Burton six yards from goal. The returning defender dived to block a certain shot and the ball was cleared.

Wright stopped an attack illegally a minute later and received a booking. Wednesday then had a great chance to level, with the ball dropping to Tudgay at the back post four yards out - but he could only blast the ball high into the stand.

The Owls pushed but failed to test Westwood again. Hall was brought on to steady the defence for the closing stages and despite two late corners, City held strong to get all three points.

CoventryCity: Westwood, Wright, Dann, Ward, Simpson (Hall 90), Doyle, Beuzelin, Mifsud (Osbourne 71), Morrison, Eastwood (Best 78). Subs: Marshall (gk), Turner

Sheffield Wednesday: Grant, McMahon, Wood, Beevers, Buxton, Tudgay, O'Connor, Johnson, McAllister, Jeffers (Smith 85), Clarke (Burton 69). Subs: O'Donnell (gk), Lekaj, Simek

4thegame
Clinton Morrison killed off Sheffield Wednesday with a stunning goal to claim a rare Coventry City victory as Brian Laws' side carved out plenty of chances but missed the lot.

The 29-year-old striker hit the winner in the 60th minute as Chris Coleman's side clung on for only their second win in seven games.

Coventry escaped in the opening minute as Guillaume Beuzelin and Leon Clarke challenged with the ball hitting the Coventry midfielder as it ballooned over Kieren Westwood's head and cannoned off the bar.

Clarke should have broken the deadlock after starting and finishing a sweeping move as he rose unchallenged to meet Sean McAllister's precise cross only to head over from six yards.

Westwood was caught out when he misjudged a Tony McMahon cross as he back-pedalled to fist the ball over the bar and a Francis Jeffers free-kick caused havoc as Morrison tried to clear and almost steered the ball into the Coventry net.

The Sheffield side, with just one win from six games, escaped on 46 minutes as Morrison stooped to reach a Daniel Fox corner only for James O'Connor to clear his close-range header off the line.

Johnson cut inside from the left flank but pulled his right-foot shot wide of the target before Morrison broke the deadlock with a stunning goal.

The well-travelled striker stretched to meet Fox's cross to finish with a bullet header from 12 yards.

Westwood pulled off a stunning save to push a Jeffers free-kick round the post and Marcus Tudgay fired a McMahon free-kick over the top from six yards as the Hillsborough side pounded the Coventry goal without success in the dying minutes.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Coventry 0 Plymouth 1 - 15/11/2008

Coventry 0 Plymouth 1 - 15/11/2008

Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Elliott Ward, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Isaac Osbourne, Aron Gunnarsson (Guillaume Beuzelin 67), Michael Doyle, Jay Tabb, Robbie Simpson, Clinton Morrison, Leon Best (Freddy Eastwood 66)
Subs not used: Marcus Hall, Andy Marshall, Stephen Wright
Booked: Aron Gunnarsson 28, Scott Dann 86, Isaac Osbourne 79

Plymouth Argyle: Romain Larrieu, Marcel Seip, Chris Barker, Mathias Doumbe, Craig Cathcart, Chris Clark, Karl Duguid, Jamie Mackie (Craig Noone 68), Luke Summerfield, Rory Fallon, Emile Lokonda Mpenza (Steven MacLean 74)
Subs not used: Nicolas Marin, Jamie Paterson, Yoann Folly
Booked: Chris Clark 90, Jamie Mackie 44
Goals: Craig Noone 87

Attendance: 18528
Referee: N Miller

Teamtalk
Craig Noone came off the bench to score his first goal in professional football and give Plymouth a narrow 1-0 victory at Coventry on Saturday.

The 20-year-old midfielder was making only his fourth appearance in the Football League and lit up a dull encounter with the decisive goal in the 87th minute.

Coventry goalkeeper Keiren Westwood had earlier been forced to make a string of saves as Chris Coleman's men slipped to their fourth home league defeat of the season.

Emile Mpenza had the first real chance for Argyle in the 11th minute when he struck a long-range attempt at goal which was tipped around the post by the alert Westwood.

Coventry came to life five minutes later and striker Clinton Morrison created a shooting opportunity but failed to connect cleanly and saw his tame effort blocked by Plymouth defender Craig Cathcart.

Aron Gunnarsson pounced on the loose ball but the Iceland international could only screw his shot from the edge of the penalty area wide of goal.

Cathcart almost gave the visitors the lead in the 28th minute when he directed a superb header towards goal but Westwood was equal to it and made a smart save.

Westwood was again called into action four minutes later but this time he made a routine save from a weak shot by Pilgrims midfielder Karl Duguid.

Plymouth goalkeeper Romain Larrieu had his reflexes tested in the 31st minute as the game opened up when he was forced to tip a 30-yard strike from Fox over the crossbar.

The home side forced a succession of corners in the minutes preceding the interval but the Plymouth defence comfortably dealt with the aerial threat to leave the game goalless at the break.

Coventry were much brighter at the start of the second half and Morrison squandered a good chance in the 53rd minute after he had been found by Jay Tabb's cross.

Rory Fallon responded a few minutes later for the visitors but saw his 20-yard drive fly past the post and Westwood made a good save in the 59th minute from Luke Summerfield free-kick.

The lively Morrison continued to pose as Coventry's most likely source of a goal and 10 minutes later he found space inside the box, but could not control his shot and lifted his attempt over the crossbar.

Argyle defender Marcel Seip missed a great chance in the 80th minute when he was picked out by a Summerfield corner but his header failed to hit the target.

It looked like Plymouth had missed their chance to take maximum points but a piece of individual skill by Noone - who had come on for Jamie Mackie in the 68th minute - three minutes from time finally saw Westwood beaten.

The Liverpool-born midfielder, who joined Plymouth from non-league Southport, found space down the flank and broke into the area before he smashed the ball into the bottom-left corner of the net.

Coventry piled forward in search of an equaliser but were unable to find a way past Larrieu as Paul Sturrock's outfit hung on to claim the win.

CCFC
Coventry City were undone by a late goal from substitute Craig Noone as Plymouth secured yet another last-gasp strike to give them points.

The Sky Blues were the better side for much of the 90 minutes but Noone managed to unlock Chris Coleman's defence three minutes from time with a well taken individual goal that saw him skip past Isaac Osbourne and round Keiren Westwood before slipping the ball into the net for his first senior goal for the club.

The Sky Blues headed into half time on level terms with Plymouth despite a largely dominating performance which went unrewarded.

Coleman's side set out their stall early and could have been ahead in the first few seconds with a rampant start straight from the kick-off.

And half-chances steadily followed throughout the half although Paul Sturrock's rearguard remained resolute to keep the Sky Blues out of the Plymouth net.

A long ball from Doyle straight from the kick-off was glanced off Leon Best's head to Clinton Morrison who struggled to get a shot off with his back to goal.

And Robbie Simpson was just inches away from an opener two minutes later when Morrison's cross just whistled past his forehead at the far post.

Plymouth got their first effort on target after ten minutes, Emile Mpenza striking a low shot at Westwood who pushed the effort round his post.

The Sky Blues' attacking approach to the game also yielded a number of corners, all of which Danny Fox used to great effect with a series of dangerous whipped in balls.

Argyle were equal to the majority of his crosses but they still caused unrest in the visiting penalty box as they always looked like one City touch would send them goalwards.

Fox also managed a rare effort on goal which brought a great save out of Argyle 'keeper Romain Larrieu just after the half hour mark, his 35-yard effort forcing the shot stopper to tip the ball over the bar.

At the other end, Westwood was always kept on his toes but was rarely trouble as Craig Cathcart's unmarked header and Jamie Mackie's effort just outside the area both went straight at the City custodian.

Aron Gunnarsson earned himself a booking early on in the first half and was then joined in the book by Mackie for dissent.

And Simpson completed a bittersweet end to City's first half display, trapping and volleying a shot past Larrieu from 25 yards only for the goal to be ruled out by a previous offside.

City also started the second half in much the same vein as the first, Scott Dann heading a downward effort from a Fox corner and Gunnarsson troubling Larrieu with two quickfire long throws.

In comparison to the first 45 minutes though, despite Coventry's unfaltering endeavour, neither side managed to create many clear cut chances.

Morrison infact had the best effort of the half after 68 minutes when City caught Plymouth on the counter attack.

He launched a kick up field to substitute Freddy Eastwood who held the ball up for Simpson who in return played through Morrison who sent his shot just over Larrieu's bar.

But it was Plymouth who had the last say of the game three minutes from time when Noone received a ball on the left, skipped past Osbourne and tapped the ball around Westwood in the six-yard area to leave him with a simple finish.

The second half replacement could also have had a second in the dying moments.

Westwood went up for a City corner in injury time but the cleared ball found Noone who raced at the goal with Westwood still in the opponents half.

But Jay Tabb did enough to prevent Noone from grabbing his second, slowing him down and getting his body in the way of the goal, leaving Noone to finish out the afternoon with a wide effort at an almost wide open net.

4thegame
Plymouth Argyle snatched all three points at Coventry City after substitute Craig Noone netted a late winner.

Coventry had enjoyed the best of the play in a poor game at the Ricoh Arena, but, with two minutes to go, midfielder Noone dazzled Isaac Osbourne with good footwork to get into the area and calmly rounded goalkeeper Keiren Westwood to slot home his first of the season.

The home side had started well with some attractive attacking play but Plymouth came closest to taking the lead after a 10th minute corner. Marcel Seip's header looked to be heading in but his effort rebounded off the woodwork.

Not to be outdone, the home side had an identical chance during the 18th minute. Danny Fox's corner deflected off a Plymouth defender only to be knocked onto the bar and out.

Both sides passed well but couldn't muster a clear-cut chance. When the Pilgrims finally did have a promising break in the 27th minute, City's Aron Gunnarsson ended the move by taking out Jamie Mackie - he was booked and will miss Coventry's game at Sheffield Wednesday next week.

Coventry then had two chances in a minute, Robbie Simpson headed a Fox free-kick just wide from six yards and then Fox drove a 30-yard shot towards goal, only for Romain Larrieu to palm it away.

Neither side could create a decent chance before the end of the half and it was a same story after the restart.

Twenty minutes of the second half passed without any threat to the respective goalkeepers and both managers brought on players.

One of the substitutes, Freddy Eastwood, nearly helped City take the lead. He won the ball from the Plymouth defence and laid the ball off for Simpson. Simpson's through ball gave Clinton Morrison a one-on-one chance to the right of goal, but his first-time blast went just over the bar.

The tempo waned and the game seemed to be heading for a stalemate, only for another substitute, Noone, to take advantage of a blip in Coventry's concentration and score a goal which put Plymouth in touch with the top six.

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Coventry 0 Crystal Palace 2 - 08/11/2008

Coventry 0 Crystal Palace 2 - 08/11/2008

Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Aron Gunnarsson, Isaac Osbourne, Guillaume Beuzelin (Michael Doyle 83), Jay Tabb (Robbie Simpson 60), Michael Mifsud, Clinton Morrison, Leon Best (Freddy Eastwood 62)
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall
Booked: Aron Gunnarsson 72

Crystal Palace: Julian Speroni, Jose Miguel Fonte, Matthew Lawrence, Patrick McCarthy, Clint Hill, Paul Ifill, Shaun Derry, Ben Watson, John Oster (Johannes Ertl 90), Sean Scannell (Nick Carle 78), Craig Beattie
Subs not used: Shefki Kuqi, Lee Hills, Victor Moses
Booked: -
Goals: Clint Hill 9, Ben Watson 53

Attendance: 16883
Referee: C Oliver

Teamtalk
Goals in each half from Clint Hill and Ben Watson gave Crystal Palace a 2-0 Championship victory at Coventry on Saturday.

The Ricoh Arena remains a happy hunting ground for the south London club. Palace have won on all four of their visits since the Sky Blues swapped Highfield Road for the 32,000 all-seater stadium in August 2005 - and have scored 12 goals along the way.

The result brought the Eagles their first league win in five matches and inflicted a first defeat in four on Coventry.

Chris Coleman named the same side that won 1-0 at Midlands rivals Birmingham on Monday - but his team never got going.

After scoring the winning goal against his former club at St Andrew's, Clinton Morrison kept his place up front against another of his old employers but could make no impact.

Sean Scannell's two goals for the reserves in midweek earned him a place in Palace's starting line-up.

The 18-year-old's inclusion at the expense of Shefki Kuqi was the only change made by Eagles manager Neil Warnock.

Hill's first goal of 2008 gave the visitors the lead at the break.

The defender, who last scored when the Eagles beat Plymouth 2-1 at Selhurst Park on December 22, pounced after nine minutes following Watson's free-kick from the left channel.

Jose Fonte's header struck the post and rolled across the goalline, and Hill steered the ball home at the far post from an acute angle. It was the only clear-cut opportunity of the first half.

Scannell and Phil Ifil both had goalbound efforts blocked by Coventry defenders.

Leon Best stung the palms of Julian Speroni with a 20-yard shot midway through the first half, as the hosts threatened for the first time.

Scott Dann threw himself in front of Watson's driven shot in the 27th minute as City's back line continued to defend stoutly - and Watson shot wide when well positioned inside the area just before the break.

Palace made the most of one of few second-half chances when they doubled their lead in the 53rd minute.

A surging left-wing run by Craig Beattie was abruptly halted when the on-loan West Brom striker was dumped on the ground by Elliott Ward 20 yards out.

Watson's low free-kick went through the Coventry wall, and the ball nestled in the bottom corner.

Beattie then fired an angled shot wide from inside the area just before the hour.

Coleman responded by introducing Robbie Simpson and Freddy Eastwood from the bench, Jay Tabb and Best were the players to make way.

But the two strikers were made to feed off scraps as the Sky Blues struggled to break down a stoic Palace defence.

CCFC
Coventry City fell to their first defeat in four games as early first and second half goals from Clint Hill and Ben Watson.

City went into the half time break trailing Hill's early opener for Crystal Palace after six minutes.

Hill was left with the easiest of finishes after Watson's free kick was headed onto the inside of Keiren Westwood's post, the ball spilling across the goal mouth allowing Hill to smash home.

Watson then turned from provider to scorer seven minutes after the restart, his free-kick effort taking a deflection going through the wall to find its way past Keiren Westwood.

Chances for the Sky Blues were few and far between in the first half, the closest City came to grabbing a leveller was when Clinton Morrison's bundled effort into the net was ruled out for offside.

Outside of the early goal though, neither side created any clear cut opportunities to add to the first goal although Palace enjoyed the majority of the positive play.

Paul Ifill and Sean Scannell both caused problems for City down the flanks although for the most part have been well handled by full-backs Danny Fox and Isaac Osbourne.

Osbourne was guilty of an uncharacteristic slip midway through the half though, getting caught in possession by Ifill who ran at Westwood but had his shot blocked by the scrambling Elliott Ward.

Fox's deep corners also asked questions of Palace 'keeper Julian Speroni, one in particular which was headed back across the penalty area by Ward only to be cleared away by Palace heads.

Michael Mifsud also threatened to break away on the counter attack with a number of through balls being sent his way only for the Maltese international to get reined in by the Palace back four.

The visitors also started the second half in the ascendancy, worsening the Sky Blues' predicament after 52 minutes when Watson fired home his free-kick.

Second half events though followed the same pattern as the first 45 minutes, the game more a battle of the midfield than of attacking prowess.

Outside of Watson's goal, however, the Sky Blues fashioned the best chance of the second half, substitute Robbie Simpson whipping in a deep cross for Mifsud unmarked at the back post although his header went over the bar seven minutes before time.

And Simpson also went close with a free kick after Michael Doyle had been brought down on the edge of the area, whipping his effort just over Speroni's crossbar.

But the Sky Blues struggled to fashion efforts on Speroni's goal as Crystal Palace picked up their second away win of the season.

4thegame
Crystal Palace bagged a goal in each half as they recorded a welcome victory at the Ricoh Arena.

Neil Warnock's side were by far the better side as Coventry, who had tasted victory at Birmingham City on Monday night, failed to build on their win.

Chris Coleman named the same side which had won at St Andrew's but the performance could not have been more different.

Palace were superior in every department but were especially dominant in midfield where the highly-rated Ben Watson was in complete control.

Neither side had settled into any form of rhythm before Palace went in front in the ninth minute.

Jose Fonte headed down a free-kick and when the ball hit the Coventry post, Clint Hill was on hand to turn it in.

It was a bad start for Coventry but it never really got any better. Watson had the better of Aron Gunnarsson and Guillaume Beuzelin and was able dictate the pace of the game.

Palace did not create that many chances but didn't really need to.

Coventry did get the ball in the net four minutes from the interval when Michael Mifsud headed the ball towards goal.

It looked to be heading for goal but when striker Clinton Morrison made sure but he was flagged offside.

Coleman will have expected more in the second half but did not get it and, as a former defender, will not have been happy with the away side's second.

Watson's 25-yard free-kick went through the defensive wall and was diverted in past Keiren Westwood.

Coleman made his changes early but it made precious little difference.

Robbie Simpson went close in final minute when he curled a free-kick just over the bar.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Birmingham 0 Coventry 1 - 03/11/2008

Birmingham 0 Coventry 1 - 03/11/2008

Birmingham City: Maik Taylor, Radhi Jaidi, Liam Ridgewell, Franck Queudrue, Nicky Hunt, Lee Carsley, Sebastian Larsson, Kemy Agustien (Nigel Quashie 60), Cameron Jerome (Quincy Owusu-Abeyie 70), James McFadden, Kevin Phillips (Marcus Bent 65)
Subs not used: Colin Doyle, Martin Taylor

Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Elliott Ward, Scott Dann, Daniel Fox, Guillaume Beuzelin, Isaac Osbourne, Jay Tabb (Marcus Hall 89), Aron Gunnarsson, Michael Mifsud, Clinton Morrison (Freddy Eastwood 81), Leon Best (Robbie Simpson 86)
Subs not used: Michael Doyle, Andy Marshall
Booked: Jay Tabb 44, Scott Dann 43
Goals: Clinton Morrison 53

Attendance: 17215
Referee: A Bates

Teamtalk
Coventry's Clinton Morrison came back to haunt former club Birmingham as he scored the decisive goal as the Sky Blues won 1-0 at St Andrews.

The 29-year-old, who spent three seasons with Birmingham before he was sold to Crystal Palace in August 2005, headed home from a corner eight minutes after the half-time break on Monday night.

But Coventry's man of the match was undoubtedly goalkeeper Keiren Westwood who made several superb saves in the second half to deny Birmingham and leave them four points behind league leaders Wolves.

Blues boss Alex McLeish gave a debut to on-loan Bolton defender Nicky Hunt as he made three changes from the side which lost 1-0 to QPR.

Coventry manager Chris Coleman made two changes to the team which drew 1-1 at Southampton as Leon Best and Jay Tabb were recalled at the expense of Freddy Eastwood and Michael Doyle.

And it was the visitors who had the first chance in the third minute of a lively opening period when Aron Gunnarsson crossed from the left flank but Best could only direct his header straight at goalkeeper Maik Taylor from close range.

Birmingham immediately hit on the counter-attack and Larsson forced a smart save from Westwood at his near post.

Kevin Phillips then had a great opportunity to open the scoring in the 12th minute when Franck Queudrue glanced on a Larsson corner.

The ball dropped to Phillips inside the six-yard box but he was unable to get a clean strike at goal and Westwood collected.

Morrison struck the crossbar moments later with a thunderous strike after Tabb had cleverly set him up 10 yards out following Michael Mifsud's low cross from the right.

Coleman's side had a good claim for a penalty turned down eight minutes before the half-time interval when Liam Ridgewell impeded the run of Morrison but referee Tony Bates waved away the appeals of the Sky Blues players.

Coventry began the second half positively and Morrison gave them the lead in the 53rd minute with a neat finish from close range.

Daniel Fox delivered a dangerous inswinging corner which was flicked on by Guillaume Beuzelin into the six-yard box to Morrison who held off the attentions of Ridgewell to head past Taylor.

Ridgewell almost levelled three minutes later with a similar chance to the Coventry goal when McFadden flicked on but Westwood made a fine save to palm the ball to safety.

The visitors sat on their lead and McFadden stung the fingers of Westwood with a swerving shot from distance in the 68th minute.

Two minutes later the Scotland international striker curled a teasing ball into the area but neither substitute Marcus Bent nor Queudrue could get a touch.

Coventry had a golden opportunity to double their advantage with a beautifully worked move on the counter-attack in the 76th minute.

Best broke down the right flank and Beuzelin's clever back-heel found the late run of Tabb but the midfielder smashed his shot over the bar with only Taylor to beat.

Westwood continued to perform heroics in the Coventry goal when he saved brilliantly from a Rahdi Jaidi header three minutes later.

Birmingham thought they had equalised in the 83rd minute when a corner deflected off Queudrue and appeared to cross the line but Westwood gathered and the assistant referee ruled in Coventry's favour.

The Blues continued to press in the dying stages and Larsson was guilty of missing a good chance as the visitors held on to claim only their second away win of the season.

CCFC
Coventry City survived three goal line incidents to take all three points in a 1-0 nailbiter against BirminghamCity at St Andrews.

Clinton Morrison bagged his third goal in three games to put the Sky Blues ahead against his old club seven minutes into the second half.

And Keiren Westwood put in a hero's performance between the sticks for Chris Coleman's side to pull off unbelievable stops from Liam Ridgewell, Radhi Jaidi and Franck Queudrue.

Coventry had a golden opportunity to go ahead after 15minutes when Morrison hit the Maik Taylor's crossbar, a weighted ball from Guillaume Beuzelin reaching Tabb and the ball falling into Morrison's path only for him to smash his half volley against the upright.

The Sky Blues infact enjoyed the majority of thegood play in the first half but it did not suggest the nailbiter of a seconf 45 minutes to come.

Morrison set the tone with his opener on 52 minutes, an excellent corner delivery from Danny Fox flicked off the head of the impressive Beuzelin before Morrison nodded the ball into the top corner past Taylor.

Birmingham could have been on level terms just four minutes later had it not been for the reflexes of Westwood though when Ridgewell's header, going goalwards, was flapped out of the goalmouth by the City 'keeper.

Kevin Phillips followed up the parry but could only hit the outside of the bar.

It was a fine example of stubborn defending by the Sky Blues for the remainder of the game as they were forced into a backs-to-the-wall display at Blues pushed on for an equaliser.

And Westwood was called upon once again when Jaidi's header powered downwards at goal was pushed onto the bar on the line by Westwood and then cleared by Aron Gunnarsson.

There was time for one more push from Alex McLeish's side, Queudrue getting the final touch on a cross from substitute Quincy with five minutes to go.

But Westwood managed to keep the ball from just going completely over the line, despite the protests of the hosts, to steer Coventry on course for their first three-point haul since the start of October.

4thegame
Clinton Morrison returned to haunt Birmingham City with a goalscoring performance which gave Coventry City only their fifth win of the season.

The former Blues striker was delighted with his 53rd strike as the home side slumped to their second successive 1-0 reverse.

But the game ended in controversy when Franck Queudrue's effort was disallowed, although the television replay clearly showed the ball had crossed the line.

It was another disappointing home performance by second in the table Birmingham, who had been looking to close the gap on the leaders Wolves to one point.

Once again it was evident that if Birmingham, who included on-loan Nicky Hunt from Bolton, are to regain their Premier League status it is going to be achieved the hard way.

There is a big emphasis on defence and, despite having three strikers in attack in an attempt to batter Coventry into submission, it was the Sky Blues who were often the more dangerous.

Coventry had one let-off from a Seb Larsson corner. Kevin Phillips nudged the ball goalwards only to see goalkeeper Kieren Westwood fumble the effort. Fortunately Isaac Osbourne was on the line to clear.

It was then Birmingham's turn to breath a sigh of relief when a snap shot from Morrison rattled the crossbar.

The home fans became increasingly frustrated with the performance of their team and they had every reason to be anxious as Coventry were always a potential threat.

Coventry seemingly had a strong claim for a penalty when Morrison was body-checked by Liam Ridgwell, but their plea was firmly rejected by the referee.

Coventry's young skipper Scott Dann, along with Elliott Ward, was on top of his game. Phillips, in particularly, was completely shut out by the dominant Dann.

The stalemate was finally broken in the 53rd minute when an inswinging corner from the right by Danny Fox was headed home from close range by Morrison for his third goal of the season.

Westwood then came to Coventry's rescue with a magnificent finger-tip save just under the bar to keep out a Ridgewell header.

A few minutes later Westwood twisted to save a long-range swerving shot from James McFadden in a spell of strong Birmingham pressure. Marcus Bent then missed an opportunity when he failed to convert a McFadden cross.

Westwood was Coventry's hero late on as Birmingham laid siege to his goal. In Birmingham's desperate bid to equalise, the keeper tipped a Radhi Jaidi header against the bar.