Coventry 2 Sheffield Weds 0 - 28/12/2008

Coventry 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 28/12/2008

Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Ben Turner, Marcus Hall, Stephen Wright, Guillaume Beuzelin, Michael Doyle, Aron Gunnarsson, Michael Mifsud (Adam Walker 87), Leon Best, Leon McKenzie (Robbie Simpson 63), Clinton Morrison (Freddy Eastwood 69)
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Curtis Wynter
Booked: -
Goals: Clinton Morrison 11, Robbie Simpson 82

Sheffield Wednesday: Lee Grant, Mark Beevers, Steve Watson, Lewis Buxton, Richard Wood, Tommy Spur, Sean McAllister (Francis Jeffers 72), James O'Connor (Luke Boden 88), Wade Small (Rocky Lekej 73), Bartosz Slusarki, Marcus Tudgay
Subs not used: Jimmy Smith, Nathan Modest
Booked: -
Goals: -

Attendance: 19602
Referee: G Laws

Teamtalk
Clinton Morrison set Coventry on their way to a first home win in eight attempts as they overcame Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday 2-0.

Morrison, who has now netted eight goals in the league this season, converted Guillaume Beuzelin's centre as Coventry demonstrated their desire to record a victory after three defeats and four draws at home.

Despite a sound display from Wednesday goalkeeper Lee Grant, Coventry wrapped up the win with a late goal from Robbie Simpson.

After drawing a blank at Swansea on Boxing Day, Coventry manager Chris Coleman bolstered his forward line with Leon Best and Leon McKenzie coming in alongside Morrison.

Best, who had a loan spell with the Owls during the 2005/06 campaign, impressed enough in a 13-minute cameo against the Swans to earn his first start in over a month while McKenzie made the starting XI having only recently recovered from a torn thigh muscle.

For Sheffield Wednesday Sean McAllister was recalled while Steve Watson and Wade Small retained their places after the 1-1 draw with Blackpool.

Marcus Tudgay had the first sight of goal after two minutes, but the Sheffield Wednesday forward fired wide from 12 yards out.

Coventry then took the lead in the 11th minute through Morrison.

Midfielder Beuzelin found room on the left and fed the ball in to the 29-year-old striker who calmly finished from six yards out.

Tudgay attempted to hit back immediately but failed to hit the target from 20 yards and McAllister was denied by a fantastic save from Coventry goalkeeper Kieren Westwood.

Aron Gunnarsson could have extended Coventry's advantage but his header from close range was too weak to trouble Grant.

Tudgay continued to be Wednesday's greatest goal threat.

But as Sheffield Wednesday's radar got closer to the target Coventry's resistance got more formidable.

First Michael Doyle made a crucial block from Tudgay and then Westwood saved from Small midway through the second half.

Just a minute later Wednesday's Grant replicated Westwood's efforts in goal as he parried Doyle's left-footed shot.

The two goalkeepers continued to maintain the scoreline and Grant parried wide as Michael Mifsud let fly from 20 yards.

Gunnarsson once again had the opportunity to calm Coventry's increasing nerves but again his heading ability left much to be desired.

Although both sides were creating chances they were struggling to find a way past the respective defences and Grant again proved his worth for the visitors by saving from Best's right-footed effort to keep his team in the hunt.

But any aspirations for a point were shattered when Best had his revenge in the 82nd minute when he set up Simpson to fire home from 12 yards out.

CCFC
The Sky Blues ended their long awaited barron spell at the Ricoh Arena with a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday to lift them to within a point of the top half of the Championship table.

Strikes from Clinton Morrison and Robbie Simpson handed City their first home win since the start of October, banishing the Sky Blues home hoodoo which has blighted their season thus far.

The Sky Blues, hampered by injury and illness which saw Elliott Ward out of the team with a leg injury, enjoyed the majority of the first half attacking opportunities and were responsible for taking much of the game to the visitors.

Morrison supplied an almost inch-perfect cross from the right corner flag just three minutes in, the delivery just too high for Leon Best.

But Morrison did not have to wait long to be involved again when Beuzelin stroked a superb pass with the outside of his boot to the Republic of Ireland international who took one touch and slid the ball past Lee Grant from the corner of the six-yard area.

Sean McAllister had a half chance to get Wednesday level four minutes later when he was found unmarked on the right hand side of Keiren Westwood's area, only for the Coventry 'keeper to rush off his line and block McAllister's effort.

Wednesday skipper Richard Wood flashed a low across into the Coventry area after 20 minutes which evaded all except Marcus Tudgay who lashed a first time effort over the bar.

City also made plenty of headway down the flanks with Michael Mifsud and Leon McKenzie who both were repeatedly able to find their way to the Wednesday goal line.

But some good sacrificial defending from Wednesday prevented the Sky Blues from making the best of their progress as Wood and Beevers threw themselves at some close range crosses to hand City a series of ultimately fruitless corners.

Coventry continued the second half in the same vein as the first and Ben Turner could have got a second for City much earlier when his glancing header from Doyle's cornertwo minutes after the restart flashed past Grant's far post.

Wade Small made City supporters' hearts flutter on 54 minutes when he dribbled inside the Sky Blues' penalty area and smashed a shot at goal, palmed away for a corner by Westwood.

But that was as close as Wednesday got to troubling the scorers and the Sky Blues remained resolute at the back and continued to hassle the visiting front four when they were in possession.

Gunnarsson could have netted for City with 20 minutes to go, getting on the end of another troubling Doyle delivery but heading inches wide of Grant's goal.

And Best also forced a good low save from Grant with an effort from the corner of the penalty area after substitute Freddy Eastwood rolled the ball into his path.

Best played a crucial role in City's second though, fighting off attention from Beevers and Wood to come across the Wednesday area and roll the ball into the path of Simpson who took one touch and fired low across Grant into the far corner.

It was also a good night for the City academy as youngster Adam Walker was handed his first senior appearance, coming on for the final three minutes for Michael Mifsud who had spent the majority of the afternoon tormenting Wednesday left back Wood on flank.

All in all a good night for Chris Coleman and his side who now bring themselves within touching distance of the Championship top 12.

4thegame
Coventry City recorded their first home win since October in a battling display against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Sky Blues' barren spell at the Ricoh Arena had lasted seven matches, but the 2-0 win achieves manager Chris Coleman's target of mid-table at the turn of the year.

Both sides struggled with injuries, with Coventry forced to field two players out of position due to the absences of Dan Fox and Elliott Ward.

Wednesday almost took advantage of the uncomfortable back-line in the tenth minute when James O'Connor's ball fell to Richard Wood eight yards from goal.

However, the centre-back demonstrated why he is restricted to a place in the back four after slicing a volley embarrassingly wide.

Coventry punished the miss a minute later when Guillaume Beuzelin played a through ball with the outside of his boot to the unmarked Clinton Morrison.

The striker fired a low-drive past keeper Lee Grant to notch his tenth of the season.

Wednesday battled and had a good chance five minutes later when the ball fell to Sean McAllister in the box, but highly-rated Sky Blues keeper Keiren Westwood produced an excellent block to deny a goal.

Owls left-back Tommy Spurr broke down the left in the 20th minute and put a dangerous effort into the City box only for Marcus Tudgay to fluff his effort wide.

Coventry continued to sit back and Wade Small came close twice in two minutes for Wednesday.

In the 55th minute his half-volley from the edge of the area whizzed past the post, before his shot inside the area produced another good save from Westwood.

The chances sparked the Sky Blues to life and after Grant tipped a Michael Doyle cross away from the feet of Leon Best, Michael Mifsud fired in a bouncing shot for the Owls number one to push wide.

As the clock ran down, Wednesday committed more bodies forward and were punished by an 82nd minute counter-attack.

Best received the ball deep in opposition territory and after laying the ball off for oncoming Robbie Simpson, the former non-league star placed a low shot into the corner of the net.

Swansea 0 Coventry 0 - 26/12/2008

Swansea 0 Coventry 0 - 26/12/2008

Swansea City: Dorus de Vries, Angel Zaragoza Rangel, Alan Tate, Gary Monk, Ashley Williams, Joe Allen (Gorka Pintado 59), Thomas Butler (Mark Gower 82), Leon Britton, Garcia Jordi Gomez, Darren Pratley, Jason Scotland
Subs not used: Andrea Orlandi, Febian Brandy, Alberto Polo Serran
Booked: Thomas Butler 36
Goals: -

Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Stephen Wright, Ben Turner, Elliott Ward, Marcus Hall, Aron Gunnarsson, Michael Doyle, Michael Mifsud (Leon Best 77), Clinton Morrison (Guillaume Beuzelin 84), Freddy Eastwood, Robbie Simpson (Leon McKenzie 60)
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Curtis Wynter
Booked: Stephen Wright 50, Aron Gunnarsson 86, Guillaume Beuzelin 90, Keiren Westwood 88
Goals: -

Attendance: 17603
Referee: S Tanner

Teamtalk
Swansea were unfortunate not to win their Championship clash with Coventry after dominating the goalless draw at the Liberty Stadium.

The hosts had the majority of the chances but could not make a breakthrough and have now drawn seven league games in a row.

Swansea named an unchanged line-up from the side which drew with Blackpool last weekend, while Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman called up Marcus Hall and Michael Doyle in place of Daniel Fox and Jay Tabb.

The home side had the first chance of the match, Tom Butler cutting in from the left-hand side and curling a shot into the hands of Coventry goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.

The Swans forward Jason Scotland then created a chance from nothing, jinking his way past two defenders but his shot was blocked by Ben Turner.

Butler had his second chance of the game after 17 minutes when he ran at the defence at pace and curled a shot towards the top corner, but Westwood was equal to it and tipped the ball over the bar.

The game failed to pick up any pace with both sides failing to stamp their authority on the game and a poor effort from long range from Joe Allen for the Swans was easily collected by Westwood.

Coventry continued to reduce the hosts to long-range chances with Darren Pratley and Scotland both dragging shots wide from outside the area.

The visitors had a fine chance after 32 minutes as Freddie Eastwood found himself free in the area but his shot was palmed away by Dorus De Vries.

Swansea started the second half brightly and Jordi Gomez tested Westwood with a free-kick from 20-yards although the ball went straight into the stopper's hands.

A quick break from the hosts saw Butler charge down the left-hand side and pull the ball across for Gomez but his shot crept wide of the upright as Roberto Martinez's men started to take control.

Martinez brought Gorka Pintado on as his side went in search of an opening goal and Pintado set Gomez away, but his third shot of the game again flew wide as frustrations began to show for the home side.

Scotland came close after turning on the edge of the area and his powerful shot was punched wide by Westwood as the Sky Blues keeper continued to keep his side on level terms.

Coventry substitute Leon Best had a half-chance but he flashed his shot straight at De Vries in the closing stages as both sides had to settle for a point.

CCFC
Coventry City remain on the fringes of the top half of the Championship table after picking up a point with a sturdy Boxing Day performance at Liberty Stadium.

The Sky Blues' 1,000-strong travelling support saw little in the way of goals but were treated to a stubborn City performance which earned them a point against manager Chris Coleman's hometown club, still leaving them within touching distance of the top half of the table at the midway point of their Christmas fixture schedule.

Swansea enjoyed the majority of possession and chances and on many occassions were frustrated by Coventry's defend-in-numbers approach.

But the Sky Blues possessed more than enough speed to hit the hosts on the counter attack and almost reaped the rewards of a breakaway in the second half.

Coventry created chances which could quite easily have handed them a potential winner, but it was Swansea who created opportunities with more frequency and could easily have felt they had had their pockets picked by the Artful Dodger had the Sky Blues come away with a maximum points haul.

But for a pair of excellent saves from Coventry shotstopper Keiren Westwood, the hosts could have headed into the interval with a lead although Chris Coleman's side had opportunities of their own to break the deadlock in an opening period which provided plenty in the way of lively entertainment but little in the way of final chances.

City 'keeper Westwood was called into action for the most crucial save of the first half after 17 minutes when he stretched to tip Thomas Butler's effort over his top left hand corner, a save typical of his recent form.

But Swansea shotstopper Dorus De Vries was also called into action just after the half hour mark, getting down low to make an excellent save from Freddy Eastwood's effort for the Sky Blues, an effort De Vries palmed almost into the path of the approaching Michael Mifsud until Swans bodies could clear the ball to safety.

A bout of gung-ho defending from City also ensured they entered the break on level terms with entire back four Stephen Wright, Elliott Ward, Ben Turner and Marcus Hall all throwing themselves infront of close range efforts from the visitors.

And Westwood was also called upon again just two minutes before the half time break with a two-handed save again from Butler, possessing enough awareness to push the parried ball out of the path of any bodies on the follow up.

But the Sky Blues finished off the half on a high note, Eastwood pairing up with Robbie Simpson on the breakaway only for Simpson to be barged in the area, allowing the Swans to clear the ball and prevent an opener which would have been harsh on the home side given their performance in the first 45 minutes.

Coventry started off the brighter of the two sides in the second half, Michael Doyle using Coventry's first corner of the afternoon after 53 minutes to cause havoc in the Swansea area although the ball was eventually scrambled away.

And the Sky Blues continued to dictate play for the next ten minutes, helped by the introduction of Leon McKenzie who completed another half hour as he continues his fight back to full fitness.

Coleman's side had to endure a goalmouth scramble of their own with 20 minutes to go though, Jordi Gomez's corner eventually having to be stabbed away from the Coventry penalty area by McKenzie.

Immediately from that, Eastwood and Mifsud shaped a counter attack which could have delivered the all important goal, the attacking pair on a two-on-one situation which finished with a weak shot from Eastwood, not troubling De Vries.

Ben Turner also put in an important turn for the Coventry rearguard, getting a vital foot in to put off Jason Scotland who was found wide open in the penalty area by Butler, Scotland let down by his first touch which allowed the Coventry defender a window of opportunity to put in a crucial challenge.

And Westwood capped off another impressive afternoon in a Sky Blues jersey, tipping substitute Mark Gower's long range effort over his own bar with two minutes to go to complete another resolute performance between the sticks for Coventry.

4thegame
Swansea City extended their winless run to eight games as Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman earned a hard-fought point on his first return to his hometown.

Coventry boss Coleman, who began his playing career with the Welsh club, had a heroic defensive display to thank for earning a share of their spoils.

Visiting goalkeeper Keiren Westwood made two stunning saves but Coventry's last-ditch rearguard display blunted a Swansea side that have now drawn seven games on the bounce.

In a listless first half, the wind played havoc from the off as Swansea saw a serious of shots blown off target.

Darren Pratley, Alan Tate and Joe Allen all failed to bring their shooting boots as, for all their first-half control, they rarely troubled Westwood in the Coventry goal.

Westwood was called into action with a fine fingertip save to deny fellow Irishman Tom Butler in the 16th minute.

It actually took the Sky Blues until the 34th minute before they finally mustered an attempt on goal, when Freddy Eastwood's low drive was palmed out by Dorus de Vries.

Swansea, whose last victory was way back in November, still looked full of running with their winless streak showing no signs of denting their confidence.

Jordi Gomez's free-kick forced Westwood to make a low save before substitute Gorka Pintado was inches away from netting with his first touch.

Butler went close with a deflected drive in the 66th minute as Coventry continued to soak up the pressure.

But the Swans' dominance could have also been their downfall as they threw bodies forward in the final quarter.

But Wales striker Eastwood missed a golden chance to clinch a late win when a swift breakaway saw him scuff his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Coventry 2 Ipswich 2 - 20/12/2008

Coventry 2 Ipswich 2 - 20/12/2008

Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Daniel Fox, Elliott Ward, Ben Turner, Stephen Wright (Marcus Hall 88), Jay Tabb, Aron Gunnarsson, Freddy Eastwood, Robbie Simpson (Leon McKenzie 77), Clinton Morrison, Michael Mifsud
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Leon Best, Michael Doyle
Booked: -
Goals: Clinton Morisson 1, Freddy Eastwood 56

Ipswich Town: Richard Wright, Richard Naylor, Moritz Volz, Gareth McAuley, David Wright, David Norris, Danny Haynes (Jonathan Walters 85), Alan Quinn (Darren Ambrose 81), Tommy Miller, Kevin Lisbie, Jon Stead (Pablo Gonzalez Counago 90)
Subs not used: Pim Balkestein, Shane Supple
Booked: Alan Quinn 69, Tommy Miller 66
Goals: Kevin Lisbie 12, 65

Attendance: 15598
Referee: R Styles

Teamtalk
Striker Kevin Lisbie grabbed a double to earn Ipswich a Championship point after a 2-2 draw with Coventry at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.

Ipswich twice came from behind to earn a point with Lisbie's two goals cancelling out efforts from Clinton Morrison and Freddy Eastwood.

The draw leaves Coventry still looking for their first home success since the 4-1 win over Southampton early in October.

Morrison scored the fastest Championship goal of the day when he got between two Ipswich defenders to guide the ball past Richard Wright.

But the visitors responded well to their early setback and after Jonathan Stead had been denied by Keiren Westwood in the sixth minute, Lisbie brought Ipswich level.

A long clearance from Richard Wright was flicked into Lisbie's path by Stead and the former Charlton striker, making his first start for a month, fired a low shot past Westwood from 12 yards.

Coventry finished the first half in the ascendancy and Eastwood almost sent them into the break ahead but his driven shot after 40 minutes struck a post.

It looked like half-time might have interrupted Coventry's momentum after Ipswich emerged from the break on the front foot.

Lisbie tested Westwood and Stead saw a goalbound shot blocked by Jay Tabb in quick succession at the start of the second half.

But the hosts retook the lead after 56 minutes when Eastwood latched on to Dan Fox's long clearance and found the net with a low shot.

It was only Eastwood's third goal of the season and his first since scoring in a 1-1 draw at Blackpool on September 27.

However, Coventry's lead was short-lived and Lisbie equalised for a second time nine minutes later.

The Sky Blues had a warning when Stead escaped his marker to head over in the 62nd minute, and another lapse in concentration resulted in Lisbie scoring soon after.

Ben Turner and Elliott Ward hesitated at the heart of the defence allowing Lisbie to nip in and lift the ball over Westwood.

Westwood had to beat away Stead's 25-yard free-kick midway through the second half.

Ward had a chance to make amends in injury time but could not squeeze his shot inside the near post following Fox's corner.

CCFC
The Sky Blues had to settle for another point at the Ricoh Arena despite a late rally which came within a whisker of handing them all three.

City twice led against the visitors through Clinton Morrison's ninth goal of the season and Freddy Eastwood's first strike for three months and his first at the Ricoh Arena.

But Kevin Lisbie struck twice for the Tractor Boys to give them a share of the points.

Morrison gave the Sky Blues another dream start at the Ricoh Arena with his opener after just 37 seconds but Kevin Lisbie got one back for Ipswich after 11 minutes thanks to a fortunate bounce and a calm finish.

City could not have asked for a better opening minute when Danny Fox's crossfield ball was headed into Morrison's path by Robbie Simpson, Morrison hitting the ball on the half volley past Richard Wright for his ninth goal of the season.

Ipswich only spent ten minutes behind though when, despite a relatively mundane period between the goals, Jon Stead played a ball through to Lisbie who chested it through the City back line and fired low past Keiren Westwood.

Michael Mifsud twice had the chance to threaten Wright's goal on 18 and 20 minutes when good interplay with both Freddy Eastwood and Jay Tabb allowed him to shoot, denied only by two good last-ditch blocks from Gareth McAuley and Moritz Volz.

Lisbie also had a chance to put the Tractor Boys ahead just after the half hour, flicking a the ball just over the bar from David Wright's whipped cross.

And Freddy Eastwood came within inches of netting for the Sky Blues five minutes before the break when he dribbled his way through the Ipswich defence and fired from from a tight angle only to watch his shot hit the post.

He almost forced an error out of McAuly though just before half time, forcing the centre half to play a ball towards Wright only to watch it roll into the path of Morrison, David Wright forced to put in a foot and spare some blushes.

And Keiren Westwood capped off the half with a great close range stop from Lisbie who beat the offside trap to find himself one-on-one with the City shotstopper.

Coventry City fans were treated to a great release of emotion though ten minutes into the second half when Eastwood got his name on the scoresheet for the first time since September.

The Welsh international chased a long ball over the top, taking advantage of a slip from Alan Quinn and firing through the legs of Richard Wright and give City the lead for a second time.

But Lisbie did the same as he did in the first half, equalizing ten minutes later when he got a boot to an awkward bouncing ball in the City area to flick over the head of Westwood and make it 2-2.

Eastwood very nearly played a part in a third for the Sky Blues with 20 minutes to go, is cross flicked onto Richard Wright's bar off the boot of McAuley.

And Elliott Ward also went close to grabbing another goal from open play when his header from Aron Gunnarsson's throw glanced just wide of the post.

Leon McKenzie made an appearance for the Sky Blues with 15 minutes to go after nearly two months of injury-related inactivity and he made an immediate impact, twice getting past Quinn at the goalline to flick across two dangerous deliveries.

Ipswich came within a hair's breadth of snatching a win with five minutes to go, Tommy Smith's corner delivery headed goalward and cleared off the City goal line by Gunnarsson.

Westwood was also on hand to produce a superb double save from Miller and Lisbie with two minutes to go, first to parry Miller's long-range effort and then to scramble and deny Lisbie from close range with the rebound.

But it was the Sky Blues who finished by far the strongest with a late rally that saw Mifsud fire just wide, McAuley get in a last gasp tackle on Morrison to deny him a second and also McKe nzie heading just wide from Turner's left-wing cross.

4thegame
Coventry City again failed to make the most of home advantage despite twice taking the lead against Ipswich Town.

The Sky Blues have now not won at the Ricoh Arena since early October even though they took the lead after only 36 seconds against shell-shocked Ipswich.

Danny Fox played the ball into the box from the left and Robbie Simpson's header fell neatly to Clinton Morrison. The big striker's initial shot was blocked by Ipswich defender Gareth McAuley but Morrison quickly rammed in the rebound from 12 yards.

The visitors recovered from the early setback with Kevin Lisbie and Jonathan Stead both having good chances before the equaliser arrived in the 12th minute.

Stead's flick-on bamboozled Coventry's defence and Lisbie collected the ball to drill home a strike from ten yards.

In an open game, Ipswich then enjoyed a spell of possession with Alan Quinn setting up Tommy Miller to try his luck from 22 yards and the same player created a chance for Lisbie but his close-range header was deflected over by Keiren Westwood.

The Sky Blues should have regained the lead five minutes before the break when Freddy Eastwood played a one-two with Michael Mifsud before firing an angled shot against the bar.

Ipswich started the second half brightly with Lisbie and Stead again testing Westwood but it was Coventry who retook the lead in the 56th minute.

A long pass from Fox reached Eastwood and the striker shrugged off an Ipswich defender to beat Richard Wright with a near-post shot.

The Tractor Boys again showed their mental strength by drawing level in the 65th minute when Lisbie took advantage of a defensive lapse to send a lob over Westwood from 12 yards.

Ipswich nearly handed the Sky Blues the lead for a third time when McAuley sent a shot crashing against his own bar.

But the visitors could have won the match in the 89th minute when Westwood saved a 25-yard shot from Darren Ambrose and the follow-up effort from fellow substitute Jon Walters.

Watford 2 Coventry 1 - 13/12/2008

Watford 2 Coventry 1 - 13/12/2008

Watford: Scott Loach, Jon Harley (Theo Robinson 59), Mathew Sadler (Liam Bridcutt 81), Lloyd Doyley, Cedric Avinel, Adrian Mariappa, Leigh Bromby, John-Joe O'Toole, Ross Jenkins (Jobi McAnuff 87), Lee Williamson, Tommy Smith, Tamas Priskin
Subs not used: Richard Lee, Will Hoskins
Booked: Tamas Priskin 68
Goals: Tommy Smith 62(pen), John-Joe O'Toole 72

Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Elliott Ward, Ben Turner, Daniel Fox, Marcus Hall, Aron Gunnarsson, Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle (Leon Best 75), Freddy Eastwood, Robbie Simpson, Clinton Morrison
Subs not used: Curtis Wynter, Andy Marshall, Adam Walker, Jordan Clarke
Booked: -
Goals: Clinton Morrison 67

Attendance: 14075
Referee: J Moss

Teamtalk
John-Joe O'Toole grabbed the winner for Watford as Brendon Rodgers' revolution gained momentum with a 2-1 home victory over Coventry.

The 2-1 success meant successive wins for the new boss after his first victory in charge against Norwich in midweek.

After a cautious first half largely due to the atrocious conditions the goals returned to Vicarage Road midway through the second period with three goals in a five-minute spell.

Watford fans have now witnessed 41 goals in 12 Championship games.

Tommy Smith gave the hosts the lead from a penalty won by O'Toole only for Coventry to hit back immediately through Clinton Morrison.

O'Toole, on his return to the side, secured the three points with a late winner.

The sodden pitch caused chaos and the home supporters were on their feet minutes after kick-off as Elliott Ward misjudged a sliding challenge and fouled Smith in the area.

But referee rejected the convincing penalty claims.

Coventry almost took the lead midway through the first half with Morrison's close-range header but Scott Loach made a good save diving to the left.

The players struggled to stay on their feet and the passes came up short in the difficult conditions.

The biggest cheer of the first half came when a ball boy slipped over on the out field until O'Toole almost took advantage of Keiren Westwood's short clearance with a 30-yard effort but the Coventry keeper scrambled back in time to tip over the bar.

Westwood then followed up with fine saves from Lee Williamson and Adrian Mariappa before almost gifting Smith a goal in the Coventry area.

A point-blank save from Leigh Bromley finished off Westwood's half in style.

Watford maintained their edge in the game and got their rewards on 62 minute.

Again Ward was caught out at the back and this time his challenge on Tamas Priskin was deemed a penalty by the referee.

Smith stepped up and sent Westwood the wrong way but within five minutes Coventry were level.

The ball was half-cleared from a corner and Jay Tabb's shot was diverted into the net by Morrison.

Watford snatched back the lead when O'Toole took advantage of a disoriented Coventry defence and hit a right-foot shot.

Watford's Ross Jenkins was stretchered off after a collision with Ben Turner but the home side maintained their composure to secure the win.

CCFC
The Sky Blues were unlucky in defeat at a rain-sodden game at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets had taken a second half lead through a Tommy Smith penalty and despite a Clinton Morrison equaliser, John-Joe O'Toole struck to give his side three points.

Chris Coleman was forced into a change from the side who won at Charlton on Tuesday night. Michael Mifsud has food poisoning so Michael Doyle returned to the centre of midfield with Jay Tabb moving wide.

Both sides struggled to deal with the muddy conditions and the pitch nearly cost Coventry a penalty after just two minutes when Elliott Ward slid to clear but got caught up in the wet. The advancing Tamas Priskin fell - but referee Jon Moss waved away his appeals.

The Sky Blues came close to taking the lead in the sixth minute. Aron Gunnarsson's trademark throw-in found Ben Turner and his header was tipped over the bar by Watford stopper Scott Loach.

Both sides tried to attack but City defended well and created more chances. Another Gunnarsson throw in the 19th minute led to another great save by Loach. The throw-in was flicked on by Turner for Morrison to head towards goal - but the City captain's effort was pushed wide.

Watford's best effort came ten minutes later after Keiren Westwood's clearance fell to Watford's John-Joe O'Toole 35-yards out. Westwood raced back to his line and tipped over the youngster's long range effort over the bar.

The effort sparked the Hornets into life and they tried their luck from range again two minutes later, with a Lee Williamson 20-yard strike. His effort was pushed wide - and they went close again from the resulting corner, with a scrambled shot being pushed away again.

With the pitch rapidly deteriorating, attacking moves were becoming less frequent and the half time interval was a welcome rest for both teams.

Watford looked stronger in the opening part of the second half - and after several half chances, took the lead through a penalty.

A through-ball in the direction of Priskin put City under pressure and Ward mistimed his challenge to bring down the striker. Tommy Smith stepped up and sent Westwood the wrong way to give his side the lead.

It took a few minutes for City to get their rhythm back but when they did, they managed to grab an equaliser. Fox sent in a corner, which was cleared into the path of Jay Tabb 12 yards out. His strike beat Loach, but Morrison wheeled away in celebration of his slight deflection - his eighth goal this season.

But just three minutes later, the Hornets were level again. In an almost identical effort, O'Toole hit a low drive towards the corner of the net and Westwood couldn't quite keep it out.

In response to the goal, City introduced Leon Best for Michael Doyle and tried to force an attack. Tabb blasted a volley high and wide in the 80th minute - and a goalmouth scramble didn't quite fall for Eastwood.

City continued to fight to salvage a point but Watford ran down the clock to hold on for the win.

4thegame
Watford made it back-to-back wins for the first time since mid-October with a deserved 2-1 victory over Coventry City to continue their move away from the relegation zone.

The game only went ahead after three pitch inspections, and even then it was played in incessant rain, but the Hornets coped with the tricky conditions the better to secure the points through their top scorers, Tommy Smith and John-Joe O'Toole, either side of Clinton Morrison's equaliser for the visitors.

After a goalless first half, Watford took the lead from the penalty spot after 62 minutes when Elliott Ward tripped Tamas Priskin in the area and Smith confidently tucked away his 12th goal of an increasingly productive campaign.

However, the home side's joy was to be short-lived. The Hornets failed to clear their lines from a corner allowing Jay Tabb to fire in a shot through a crowded penalty area that looked to be going in anyway, but Morrison made sure from close to the goal-line.

That setback might have knocked the stuffing out of Watford during the last weeks of previous manager Aidy Boothroyd's reign, but the Hornets began to rediscover a mental toughness under caretaker boss Malky Mackay and have continued to build on that under Brendan Rodgers.

The outcome was Watford retook the lead five minutes after being pegged back.

Substitute Theo Robinson tried to get on the end of Lee Williamson's cross from the right, but Coventry only succeeded in half-clearing the ball to O'Toole, who celebrated his return to the starting line-up by emphatically firing his eighth of the season past Kieren Westwood.

Watford are still not out of the woods yet at the wrong end of the table, but they can look ahead to the second half of the season with more confidence than looked likely a few weeks ago.

Charlton 1 Coventry 2 - 09/12/2008

Charlton 1 Coventry 2 - 09/12/2008

Charlton Athletic: Nicky Weaver, Martin Cranie, James McEveley (Jose Vitor Moreira Semedo 13), Jonathan Fortune, Mark Hudson, Matthew Holland, Nick Bailey, Keith Gillespie (Andy Gray 66), Izale McLeod, Deon Burton (Svetoslav Todorov 66), Hameur Bouazza
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Lloyd Sam
Booked: Hameur Bouazza 70, Martin Cranie 82, Jonathan Fortune 76
Goals: Deon Burton 49(pen)

Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Ben Turner, Elliott Ward, Daniel Fox, Marcus Hall, Aron Gunnarsson, Jay Tabb, Michael Mifsud, Robbie Simpson, Freddy Eastwood (Leon Best 83), Clinton Morrison
Subs not used: Michael Doyle, Jordan Clarke, Andy Marshall, Curtis Wynter
Booked: Robbie Simpson 90, Daniel Fox 84
Goals: Robbie Simpson 40, Daniel Fox 50

Attendance: 20427
Referee: D Whitestone

Teamtalk
Daniel Fox scored a sensational second-half winner to earn Coventry a 2-1 win at Charlton and deepen the gloom surrounding The Valley..

Fox scored the winner with a wonderful 30-yard free-kick to leave the Addicks contemplating a relegation scrap.

Deon Burton had hauled Charlton level with a penalty after Izale McLeod had been felled to cancel out Robbie Simpson's opener for the Sky Blues.

But any hopes of a first win in 12 attempts evaporated moments later when Fox curled the ball past Nicky Weaver.

Another defeat leaves caretaker boss Phil Parkinson's hopes of landing the full-time job hanging by a thread, although Charlton have no funds to attract a new manager and are languishing at the foot of the Championship.

And the fact a team as average as Coventry can take all three points from south London while hardly breaking into a sweat means relegation to League One, just two years after dropping out of the Premier League, is a distinct possibility.

Parkinson desperately needed a win to enhance his chances of becoming Alan Pardew's permanent successor.

But he was dealt an early blow when defender Jay McEveley was forced off with a shoulder injury, with midfielder Jose Semedo being pressed into action as a makeshift left-back.

Clinton Morrison put the ball in the net midway through a scrappy opening half when he turned in Freddy Eastwood's scuffed shot, but the City captain was flagged offside.

Charlton finally managed an effort on target eight minutes before the break, but Mark Hudson planted his header straight at Keiren Westwood.

And three minutes later Coventry went ahead when Simpson arrived in the area to tuck Fox's left-wing cross past Weaver for his first league goal of the season.

Charlton were handed a lifeline two minutes into the second half when McLeod tumbled under a clumsy challenge from Ben Turner, referee Dean Whitestone pointing straight to the spot.

Burton stepped up and tucked away the penalty off the underside of the crossbar, his first goal since joining the Addicks from Sheffield Wednesday.

But the lead lasted barely a minute as City ventured forward and Hudson fouled Morrison some 30 yards out.

Fox stepped up and curled a superb free-kick off the inside of the post, with Weaver well beaten.

Charlton felt they should have had another penalty when Turner appeared to handle while lying on the ground, but this time the referee waved play-on.

Hudson put another header wide and Hameur Bouazza curled a shot the wrong side of Westwood's upright but Charlton never looked like finding an equaliser.

CCFC
Coventry City picked up their first three-point haul in four games at the Valley on Tuesday night after twice leading a scrappy encounter against Charlton Athletic.

The Sky Blues took a one-goal lead into the break after Robbie Simpson smashed home a close range volley six minutes before half time.

And Danny Fox got City's second with another spectacular free kick just two minutes after Deon Burton's second half spot kick drew the sides level.

Chris Coleman's side came out on top in what turned out to be an extremely scrappy first half which offered little in the way of fluid play but plenty in terms of enthusiasm as both sides seemed willing to throw in the tackles.

Charlton appeared more effective on the flanks, especially with Keith Gillespie who offered plenty of options down the right and whipped in a pair of potentially dangerous crosses.

But the only real event of the first 45 minutes was City's opener after 39 minutes.

Michael Mifsud's ambitious effort rom 30 yards was deflected into the corner for the ever-industrious Clinton Morrison to chase.

He then played it back to Fox in support who lashed in another great cross for Simpson to sneak in and smash home past Nicky Weaver on the edge of the six-yard box.

The second half was far more action packed though with the City enjoying the majority of the good play despite giving up their lead just two minutes after the restart.

Izale McLeod chased a long ball into the box and was bundled over by Fox, leaving Burton to dispatch the penalty into the top corner of Keiren Westwood's net.

The level status was shortlived though as the Sky Blues, for the second consecutive game, reinstated their lead just two minutes after losing it, Freddy Eastwood being brought down just over 30 yards away from the Charlton goal and Fox curling another exquisite free kick over the wall and into the top corner of Nicky Weaver's net off the post.

From the moment City got their noses in front again they were largely untroubled by the hosts who pushed forward but lacked an edge in the final third that was not easily dealt with by the City rearguard.

Simpson followed up his first half opener with another menacing performance on the right wing, proving to be City's go-to winger with long balls he both used well and held up effectively in the later stages of the game.

He could also have doubled his goal tally on the hour, latching on to a throw from Gunnarsson, holding off two defenders with his back to goal and turning a shot just wide of Weaver's near post.

But that was as close as both of the sides got to further troubling the scoresheet as Coventry seemed content to see out the later stages of the game by holding up play in Charlton's half and the hosts failed to create any attacking play in the City half to trouble the Sky Blues who banished memories of events here at the end of last season.

4thegame
Bottom of the Championship Charlton Athletic suffered another damaging defeat going down 2-1 at home to Coventry City to virtually scupper the chances of caretaker manager Phil Parkinson getting the job on a permanent basis.

The Addicks have now failed to win in their last 12 Championship matches and have taken a miserly four points from a possible 36.

In the four matches Parkinson has been in charge they've managed just one point out of 12 and unless action is taken swiftly to get a permanent manager in, the side which is totally lacking in confidence look a good bet for relegation even at this early stage in the season.

Coventry were nothing more than workmanlike and in a dreadful first half it took over half an hour for either goalkeeper to have a shot to save.

Charlton's woes started as early as the 13th minute when on loan defender Jay McEveley fell heavily and went off with a shoulder injury.

The home side's only meaningful chance of the first half was a header from skipper Mark Hudson that was comfortably saved.

The Sky Blues took the lead five minutes before half time when the Charlton defence failed to clear Daniel Fox's left-wing cross and Robbie Simpson fired the ball home.

Charlton had a chance to get themselves back in the match three minutes after the break when they were awarded a dubious penalty.

Ben Turner was adjudged to have brought down Izale McLeod and Charlton's on-loan striker Deon Burton scored from the spot, his penalty going in off the underside of the crossbar.

But within two minutes Coventry had regained the lead when a 30-yard free-kick from Fox eluded everybody and went into the Charlton goal via the crossbar.

Charlton put on two more substitutes in an effort to get a second equaliser, but Coventry comfortably held out for a useful away victory.

Coventry 2 Notts Forest 2 - 06/12/2008

Coventry 2 Notts Forest 2 - 06/12/2008

Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Ben Turner, Elliott Ward, Marcus Hall, Guillaume Beuzelin, Jay Tabb, Aron Gunnarsson, Michael Doyle (Robbie Simpson 73), Freddy Eastwood (Leon Best 76), Michael Mifsud, Clinton Morrison
Subs not used: Curtis Wynter, Andy Marshall, Jordan Clarke
Booked: Guillaume Beuzelin 48, Michael Doyle 63
Goals: Elliot Ward 2, Clinton Morrison 29

Nottingham Forest: Lee Camp, Brendan Moloney (Luke Chambers 87), Wes Morgan, Kelvin Wilson, James Perch, Joel Lynch, Lewis McGugan (Matt Thornhill 89), Paul Anderson, Chris Cohen, Joe Garner, Robert Earnshaw (Garath McCleary 76)
Subs not used: Adam Newbold, Paul Smith
Booked:
Goals: Robert Earnshaw 27, Joe Garner 61

Attendance: 17542
Referee: N Swarbrick

Teamtalk
Joe Garner equalised to ensure Nottingham Forest earned a 2-2 draw in an entertaining Championship clash with Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

Defender Elliott Ward gave the Sky Blues an early lead when he popped up in the six-yard box before Robert Earnshaw equalised in the 27th minute with a diving header.

Striker Clinton Morrison restored Coventry's lead moments before the half-hour mark with a close-range strike to give the home side a half-time lead, but Garner - a summer signing from Carlisle - restored parity in the 61st minute with a glancing header.

Chris Coleman's side raced out of the blocks and scored with the first chance of the game in the second minute after clever play down the right flank by the energetic Michael Mifsud.

The Malta international striker cut the ball back to Guillaume Beuzelin whose cross picked out the unmarked Ward at the back post and he tapped the ball into the bottom-left corner of the net from close range.

Forest almost got on level terms seven minutes later when Earnshaw was sent clear with only Keiren Westwood to beat but could only direct his shot straight at the Coventry goalkeeper.

Westwood was called into action again in the 17th minute as Forest pressed when he was forced to tip an awkward cross-shot from on-loan Liverpool winger Paul Anderson.

Colin Calderwood's side continued to put the home side under pressure and grabbed a deserved equaliser 10 minutes later with a header from Earnshaw.

Chris Cohen found space on the right flank before he whipped a cross into the penalty area and Earnshaw dived to head the ball past Westwood.

It was visiting goalkeeper Lee Camp, though, who was picking the ball out of the net just before the half-hour mark when the home side regained their lead through Morrison.

Beuzelin's outswinging corner from the right was not dealt with by the Forest defence and Morrison smashed the ball past Camp from inside the six-yard box.

Both teams curbed their attacking instincts immediately after the half-time break although Garner and Lewis McGugan both shot wide with speculative long-range attempts for Forest.

Garner's persistence paid off in the 59th minute as Forest levelled for a second time in the game after Coventry's Aron Gunnarsson needlessly fouled James Perch on the edge of the penalty area.

McGugan took the resulting free-kick and his delivery from the left was glanced on by the head of Garner and past Westwood into the bottom-right corner of the net.

The visitors were comfortably on top for the remainder of the game and Garner should have done better in the 86th minute when he tamely headed wide from a Cohen corner.

But it was Coventry who had the best chance to secure a winner late in injury time when Mifsud lashed a shot at goal from inside the penalty area only for Camp to superbly tip the ball round the post.

CCFC
Coventry City had to settle for a point at the Ricoh Arena after Joe Garner's 60th minute strike cancelled out the Sky Blues' first half lead.

City went into the break 2-1 up courtesy of strikes from Elliott Ward and Clinton Morrison and Ward gave the Sky Blues the best start possible with his first-minute opener.

Morrison also increased his goal tally for the season to seven after 27 minutes, just seconds after Robert Earnshaw had brought the visitors level.

But Garner had the scoresheet's final say when he glanced home a header from a free kick on the hour mark.

Guillaume Beuzelin supllied the cross that allowed Ward to open the account for City.

Good work from Michael Mifsud in the corner allowed him to play the ball back to the Frenchman on the right for his to knock a deep first-time cross for the waiting Ward to tap home at the far post.

Keiren Westwood, despite having to tip a couple of dangerous Paul Anderson crosses over his crossbar, went largely untested despite Forest creating a handful of good opportunities.

Earnshaw spurned one of these after 25 minutes, a ball over the top of the Coventry defence finding him only for him to lash a shot wide.

And Lewis McGugan did the same when he received a backheel from Joe Garner in the six yard box only to send his shot the same way as Earnshaw.

The pint-sized Earnshaw made no mistake after 26 minutes though when Chris Cohen delivered a cross from the right which found the Welshman unmarked to head home past Westwood.

The celebrations from the traveling Forest support was short lived though when at the other end seconds later, Mifsud won a corner from the kick off.

Beuzelin delivered the dead ball into the middle of the penalty area, allowing captain Clinton Morrison to steal in through the confusion and tap home and reinstate Coventry's lead.

Forest pressed in the latter stages of the half with a number of set pieces but the Sky Blues also created a number of positive attacking moves and only lacked a final shot.

The second half continued where the first half left off, Aron Gunnarsson making some good early running from right back and finding himself in the penalty box only to have his shot blocked by Lee Camp.

Freddy Eastwood and Mifsud also linked up ten minutes after the restart, Mifsud tackled in the box for what turned out to be a fruitless corner.

Forest equalized for the second time on 60 minutes though after being awarded a free kick 35 yards out, the delivery floated in for Garner to glance a header past Westwood.

After the equalizer both sides played as if they knew the next goal would win it and a series of corners and set pieces put pressure on both sides in their respective penalty areas.

But the best chances to take all three points for both sides came in the last five minutes.

First Gareth McClearly was released on the counter attack with five minutes to go although he steered his shot past both Westwood and the far post.

Mifsud then pulled a wonder save out of Camp with a minute to go, Gunnarsson again charging down the right and taking the ball past two players before cutting back for the Maltese striker whose powerfully hit shot was stopped on the line in mid-air by Camp's right hand.

The draw sees City extend their winless run at the Ricoh Arena to two months but despite the shared points, the Sky Blues did enough to warrant walking away with a lot more.

4thegame
Coventry City are still searching for a much-needed home win after twice surrendering the lead against Nottingham Forest.

The Sky Blues have not won at the Ricoh Arena since the start of October but had every reason to believe their luck had changed after taking the lead after 93 seconds.

Michael Mifsud pulled defenders out of position with a good run and laid the ball for Guillaume Beuzelin to cross.

The Frenchman swung a deep ball into the box for defender Elliott Ward to strike home on the volley.

Forest tried to hit back and should have levelled 11 minutes in. Robert Earnshaw was played through but could not beat goalkeeper Keiren Westwood from six yards.

Both sides attacked and the Sky Blues should have made more of two good chances.

Beuzelin should have done better with a free header while Michael Doyle failed to properly connect with Jay Tabb's decent ball eight yards from goal.

For Forest, Paul Anderson had a cross-cum-shot tipped over the bar by Westwood But the Reds managed to level in the 27th minute when Chris Cohen's cross found Earnshaw in space and the Welshman's diving header was placed past Westwood.

But Coventry were back ahead within two minutes. Beuzelin's corner was flicked on by Freddy Eastwood for stand-in captain Clinton Morrison to knock past Lee Camp for his seventh goal of the season.

Both teams struggled to create chances for the reminder of the half but Forest pulled level again in the 61st minute.

Lewis McGugan's free-kick from 30-yards out was met by striker Joe Garner, who headed an unstoppable effort into the top corner of Westwood's net.

Coventry felt they should have had a penalty minutes later when Michael Doyle tumbled in the box but referee Neil Swarbrick booked the Irishman for diving.

Both teams went in search of the winner and City boss Chris Coleman introduced strikers Robbie Simpson and Leon Best to try and snatch a winner.

And they nearly had the win in the 89th minute when Mifsud hit a goal-bound effort towards the terget only for on-loan goalkeeper Camp to pull off a world-class save.

Reading 3 Coventry 1 - 01/12/2008

Reading 3 Coventry 1 - 01/12/2008

Reading: Marcus Hahnemann, Liam Rosenior, Chris Armstrong, Ivar Ingimarsson, Michael Duberry, James Harper, Kalifa Cisse (Brynjar Gunnarsson 77), Jimmy Kebe (James Henry 85), Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle, Noel Hunt (Shane Long 74)
Subs not used: Marek Matejovsky, Adam Federici
Booked: Stephen Hunt 42
Goals: Noel Hunt 32,62, Kalifa Cisse 37

Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Elliott Ward, Daniel Fox, Scott Dann (Ben Turner 45), Marcus Hall, Aron Gunnarsson (Leon Best 59), Guillaume Beuzelin, Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle, Freddy Eastwood (Michael Mifsud 77), Clinton Morrison
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Robbie Simpson
Booked: Aron Gunnarsson 43
Goals: Daniel Fox 26

Attendance: 16803
Referee: K Wright

Teamtalk
Striker Noel Hunt took his tally into double figures with a goal in each half as Reading recorded a 3-1 win over Coventry in the Championship.

Daniel Fox arced in a superb goal to give Chris Coleman's side a deserved lead but then deflected in a Noel Hunt header to equalise.

Kalifa Cisse then gave the hosts the lead before the break when he clinically drove home before Noel Hunt bundled in a second to kill off the game.

The Royals needed a win to keep pace with Wolves and Birmingham at the top of the Championship but were second best in the opening half hour before hitting back.

Steve Coppell's side lost their unbeaten home record to Southampton last time out and looked edgy as they were put under pressure by the visitors early on.

Coventry were playing the better football with the midfield trio of Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle and Guillaume Beuzelin dictating the tempo but for all their intricate passing it was a set-piece which broke the deadlock in the 26th minute.

Fox rescued a point for Coleman's side with a perfect deadball strike against Swansea last Tuesday and repeated the trick to put them ahead. Michael Duberry bundled Clinton Morrison to the floor 25 yards from goal and Fox casually sent a left-footed curler over the wall and right into the top corner of Marcus Hahnemann's net.

Another Fox free-kick was well dealt with before the former Walsall defender was unluckily involved in the 32nd-minute equaliser.

Liam Rosenior sent in a deep cross from the right and Noel Hunt's tame header hit Fox to loop over the stranded Keiren Westwood and bounce in.

Stephen Hunt then prodded wide when it looked easier to score before Cisse struck in the 37th minute.

Rosenior was again involved when he helped the ball down the line to Jimmy Kebe and the winger's cut back into the area was perfect for the arriving Cisse to side-foot past Westwood from the penalty spot.

The second period started slowly with neither side creating a chance until Noel Hunt was again the benefactor of some slack defending to grab his second in the 61st minute.

James Harper lofted a fine ball over the top for Stephen Hunt to run on to. The Republic of Ireland winger took a great first touch to put him in on goal but instead of shooting as Westwood came out he elected to try and pick out his brother in the middle.

Marcus Hall cut the pass out inside the six-yard box but criminally hesitated to allow Noel Hunt to tackle him and gratefully prod home his 10th of the season into the open net.

Kebe and Doyle then both had chances to extend the lead as the Royals' pace on the counter began to show but neither goalkeeper was called into further action as the hosts moved to within four points of second-placed Birmingham.

CCFC
The Sky Blues got nothing for a spirited display at Reading - only a longer injury list.

City took the lead against Steve Coppell's men but ended well beaten and with Scott Dann and Aron Gunarsson on the treatment table.

Coleman made three changes following the draw against Swansea last week and for a while City looked as if they could be heading for a hard-won victory.

City had made an impressive enough start but Reading slowly began to find their feet.

The home side had to be on their guard in the opening two minutes when Aron Gunnarsson launched one of his trademark long throws but they managed to scramble it clear.

They repeated the feat when Clinton Morrison won the first corner of the game after just four minutes.

But Reading, who had lost just once at home before this game, looked dangerous whenever they managed to get the ball forward.

That threat first surfaced in the 12th minutes when Noel Hunt, looking suspiciously offside, managed to get in behind the Sky Blues' defence but then headed wastefully over the bar.

City, however, were the first turn chances into goals in the 24th minute. Dan Fox lined up for a free kick in the same place from where he scored a week ago, and the result is the same.

The goal shook Reading into action and almost from the restart they started to look a more formidable outfit. Twice Keiren Westwood was called into action as the home side looked for a quick repose.

They got it just after the halfhour make through some very good fortune. Noel Hunt tried to guide a header goalwards but it struck the head of Fox and looped into the net with Westwood left helpless.

That was bad enough but it got worse in the 37th minute when Kalifa Cisse stroked the ball powerfully home after good work from Jimmy Kebe.

City needed to get the break without further goals and they managed it quite comfortably but ended the half with Scott Dann walking around the perimeter of the pitch clutching his shoulder.

Ben Turner replaced him at half time as City reshuffled but their realistic hopes of coming back were snuffed out when the brothers Hunt combined to devastating effect.

Stephen got free down the left and crossed in for Noel who scooped the ball from between Marcus Hall's legs to score.

That was effectively game over but there was no doubting City's work rate. Leon Best - on for Gunnarsson - combined well with Morrison at times while Michael Mifsud was bought on to replace Eastwood.

Elliott Ward had to move swiftly in the 81st minute when Kebe whipped in yet another cross, and City were fortunate when Stephen Hunt was flagged for offside as he ran from behind a defender as the ball was played forward.

4thegame
Noel Hunt's double capped an impressive fightback from Reading, who closed the gap on the promotion places to four points with an eighth home win in ten games.

The Royals' Madejski Stadium form has provided the bedrock of their promotion campaign so far this season, but a first home defeat of the season at the hands of struggling Southampton last time out seemed to have caused something of a wobble for Steve Coppell's side.

And if Reading were suffering a hangover from that game, then Coventry City cashed in as Danny Fox gave the Sky Blues a shock lead.

The January signing from Walsall had scored his first goal of the season in similar fashion against Swansea a week earlier and repeated the trick as his sweetly-struck left-foot effort bent out of Marcus Hahnemann's reach.

Reading responded though and were level on 32 minutes as Noel Hunt's header from a Liam Rosenior cross took a big deflection off Fox and looped beyond the helpless Kieren Westwood.

Westwood's error then allowed Kalifa Cisse to set Stephen Hunt up in front of goal, but the midfielder dragged his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.

It was Cisse who did give the Royals the advantage on 37 minutes, ending a fine team move with a thumping sidefoot finish from Jimmy Kebe's cutback.

And Noel Hunt completed the comeback with his second of the night - and 10th of the season - again with the help of a defensive contribution.

This time it was Marcus Hall who allowed Stephen Hunt's low cross to get tangled beneath his feet, to give the younger of the Hunt brothers the simplest of chances.

Victory moved the Royals to within four points of Birmingham in the second automatic promotion place and came as a relief to Royals boss Steve Coppell.

"Looking back at that Southampton game, I might have done things differently, but the one thing I can never fault my players for is their application," he said.

"When they have gone behind before, there has been a tendency to panic, but tonight they just kept on doing what we had set out to do and some of the combination play was terrific."