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.
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.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 11:55 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home