Coventry 1 Sheffield Utd 2 - 04/03/2009
Coventry 1 Sheffield Utd 2 - 04/03/2009
Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Daniel Fox (Isaac Osbourne 45), Ben Turner, Scott Dann, Stephen Wright, Jordan Henderson, Aron Gunnarsson, David Bell, Michael Doyle (Guillaume Beuzelin 64), Freddy Eastwood, Robbie Simpson (Clinton Morrison 64)
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward
Booked: Keiren Westwood 45, Aron Gunnarsson 53, Scott Dann 61
Goals: Scott Dann 70
Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny, Kyle Naughton, Matthew Kilgallon, Chris Morgan, Leigh Bromby (Craig Beattie 80), Gary Naysmith, Stephen Quinn, Brian Howard (John O'Toole 75), Nick Montgomery, David Cotterill (Greg Halford 79), Darius Henderson
Subs not used: Jamie Ward, Danny Webber
Booked: Nick Montgomery 45
Goals: Leigh Bromby 45, Chris Morgan 54
Attendance: 16300
Referee: K Wright
Teamtalk
Sheffield United set a new club record of 12 away league games unbeaten with a 2-1 win over Championship rivals Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.
But more importantly for Kevin Blackwell's side, the three points kept their play-off challenge firmly on track and moved them up to fourth in the table - six points away from an automatic promotion spot.
The Blades took the lead in controversial circumstances in first-half injury-time through Leigh Bromby.
Television replays showed that the defender's effort did not cross the line.
But there was no argument in the 54th minute when captain Chris Morgan powered home a header to double his side's advantage.
City skipper Scott Dann replied with a headed goal midway through the second half to set up a tense finale but United held on.
Coventry played some lovely football in the first 10 minutes but lacked the cutting edge in and around the Blades' box that some of their approach play deserved.
Keiren Westwood was the first keeper to be called into action after the Sky Blues failed to clear David Cotterill's inswinging free-kick from the left.
Head tennis ensued inside the Coventry box before Morgan managed to nod the ball goalwards, but Westwood athletically tipped the defender's effort over the crossbar.
From the resulting corner, the ball found its way to Darius Henderson at the far post but he blazed his shot into the stand.
Despite their early endeavour it took Coventry half an hour to work Paddy Kenny in the visitor's goal.
Freddy Eastwood charged towards the 18-yard box after collecting the ball midway inside United's half.
His shot was not the cleanest strike but it was fumbled by Kenny, who was relieved that the ball did not squirm inside the post.
Jordan Henderson narrowly missed the top corner with a half-volley soon after.
With the Sky Blues in the ascendancy once more, the on-loan Sunderland midfielder then spurned a glorious chance to give Coventry the lead when Eastwood put him clean through on goal after 32 minutes.
But with United defenders breathing down his neck, the youngster fluffed his lines and rolled the ball wide.
Cotterill flashed a shot just wide from 25 yards after cutting infield from the left-hand side before the Blades opened the scoring.
Stephen Quinn beat Westwood to the ball on the byline and, with the keeper stranded, crossed to the back post.
Darius Henderson looked certain to score but Westwood somehow recovered to palm away his header on the line.
The ball landed perfectly in Bromby's path six yards out and he volleyed goalwards but Westwood again scrambled across his line to make the save.
However, the referee's assistant on the far side ruled that the ball had crossed the line.
Westwood vehemently claimed he had kept out Bromby's effort.
He chased referee Kevin Wright back to almost the halfway line to contest the decision and was booked by the Cambridgeshire official for his protests.
But video replays justified the City keeper's actions.
Morgan timed his run perfectly to head home unmarked at the far post from Brian Howard's free-kick on the left-hand side.
Jordan Henderson steered an effort just over from the edge of the area but it would not be long before Coventry were back in the game.
Chris Coleman's team had played some superb free-flowing football, but the goal to half their deficit after 70 minutes was as route-one as they come.
A long throw by Aron Gunnarsson was nodded into the bottom corner by Dann from six yards out.
The Sky Blues piled on the pressure in the closing stages but were unable to find their way past a resolute United defence.
CCFC
Coventry City's six-game unbeaten run was brought to an end by Sheffield United after goals either side of the half-time whistle.
Leigh Bromby opened the scoring with a controversial goal in first-half injury time with Blades skipper Chris Morgan heading in a second five minutes after the second-half restart.
Coventry captain Scott Dann headed one back for the Sky Blues with 20 minutes to go and give the hosts some hope.
But despite a late push by Chris Coleman's side, it was not enough to prevent City's first defeat in the league since January.
The Sky Blues made all the running in the first 45 minutes but it was Kevin Blackwell's side who broke the deadlock against the run of play with their first real effort on goal.
City undoubtedly had more opportunities to take the lead in a relatively steady first half.
And Sheffield United, currently trying to cement a spot in the top six, rarely troubled Keiren Westwood's goal for City.
Freddy Eastwood and Jordan Henderson both had opportunities to hand Coventry the lead, Eastwood having a shot from the edge of the area pushed around the post by Paddy Kenny two minutes before the half hour.
Jordan Henderson then went through three minutes later after a deft flick on from Robbie Simpson only to shoot too early and pull his effort wide of the post.
But it was a cruel end to the half for Chris Coleman's side as Darius Henderson climbed to head at goal a minute into injury time, Westwood pushing the ball out of the goalmouth into the path of Bromby.
Bromby's tap at goal from inside the six-yard box was also blocked and scrambled away by Westwood.
But the linesman flagged the ball had crossed the line, handing Blades a goal lead going into the interval.
It got worse for the Sky Blues five minutes after the break, half-time substitute Isaac Osbourne giving away a free-kick on the left flank and Blades captain Morgan rising to head home past Westwood at the back post.
Dann gave City a glimpse of hope on 69 minutes, heading Aron Gunnarsson's mammoth throw past Paddy Kenny.
And, along with the introduction of Clinton Morrison five minutes previously, seemed to rouse the Sky Blues as they owned the final 15 minutes but just lacked the final ball as they peppered the United penalty area.
Substitute Guillaume Beuzelin's delivered corner four minutes after Dann's goal caused panic in the United area, bodies blocking the ball on the line with Jordan Henderson's follow-up effort going just over the bar.
But it was not to be for the Sky Blues as they were forced to succumb to their first loss for six games.
4thegame
Sheffield United continued their march towards the play-offs with a club record 12th away game unbeaten.
Kevin Blackwell's side moved up the table thanks in part to a controversial goal but had to hold on as Coventry came back strongly in the final 20 minutes.
Chris Coleman's men, just three days before their FA Cup quarter-final with Chelsea, had the best of the first half but failed to take the chances they created.
Freddy Eastwood forced keeper Paddy Kenny into a scrambled save before Jordan Henderson wasted a gilt-edged opportunity when he fired wired after being put through by Robbie Simpson.
But United, who had looked impressive enough without really creating many chances, broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time.
Leigh Bromby headed goalwards and keeper Keiren Westwood pushed the ball clear, but a linesman ruled that it had crossed the line.
The keeper raced 45 yards to protest and was promptly booked.
But if the home side had a burning sense of injustice in the second half it didn't show as, eight minutes after the interval, Chris Morgan rose between Scott Dann and Stephen Wright to head home a second.
The veteran defender had been unlucky in the first half when Westwood had pulled off a superb save to keep the effort at bay.
After Morgan's goal it looked as if Coventry were down and out but Coleman made a couple of changes and suddenly they picked up the pace.
They earned their reward when Aron Gunnarsson launched a long throw in the 70th minute and Dann was able to jump unchallenged and headed calmly down.
Henderson then blasted over after a scramble when he should have done better, but the Blades did well to limit Coventry's chances.
Worryingly for Coleman, highly-rated Dan Fox had to be replaced with a knee injury at half time and sub Clinton Morrison limped off at the end.
Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Daniel Fox (Isaac Osbourne 45), Ben Turner, Scott Dann, Stephen Wright, Jordan Henderson, Aron Gunnarsson, David Bell, Michael Doyle (Guillaume Beuzelin 64), Freddy Eastwood, Robbie Simpson (Clinton Morrison 64)
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward
Booked: Keiren Westwood 45, Aron Gunnarsson 53, Scott Dann 61
Goals: Scott Dann 70
Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny, Kyle Naughton, Matthew Kilgallon, Chris Morgan, Leigh Bromby (Craig Beattie 80), Gary Naysmith, Stephen Quinn, Brian Howard (John O'Toole 75), Nick Montgomery, David Cotterill (Greg Halford 79), Darius Henderson
Subs not used: Jamie Ward, Danny Webber
Booked: Nick Montgomery 45
Goals: Leigh Bromby 45, Chris Morgan 54
Attendance: 16300
Referee: K Wright
Teamtalk
Sheffield United set a new club record of 12 away league games unbeaten with a 2-1 win over Championship rivals Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.
But more importantly for Kevin Blackwell's side, the three points kept their play-off challenge firmly on track and moved them up to fourth in the table - six points away from an automatic promotion spot.
The Blades took the lead in controversial circumstances in first-half injury-time through Leigh Bromby.
Television replays showed that the defender's effort did not cross the line.
But there was no argument in the 54th minute when captain Chris Morgan powered home a header to double his side's advantage.
City skipper Scott Dann replied with a headed goal midway through the second half to set up a tense finale but United held on.
Coventry played some lovely football in the first 10 minutes but lacked the cutting edge in and around the Blades' box that some of their approach play deserved.
Keiren Westwood was the first keeper to be called into action after the Sky Blues failed to clear David Cotterill's inswinging free-kick from the left.
Head tennis ensued inside the Coventry box before Morgan managed to nod the ball goalwards, but Westwood athletically tipped the defender's effort over the crossbar.
From the resulting corner, the ball found its way to Darius Henderson at the far post but he blazed his shot into the stand.
Despite their early endeavour it took Coventry half an hour to work Paddy Kenny in the visitor's goal.
Freddy Eastwood charged towards the 18-yard box after collecting the ball midway inside United's half.
His shot was not the cleanest strike but it was fumbled by Kenny, who was relieved that the ball did not squirm inside the post.
Jordan Henderson narrowly missed the top corner with a half-volley soon after.
With the Sky Blues in the ascendancy once more, the on-loan Sunderland midfielder then spurned a glorious chance to give Coventry the lead when Eastwood put him clean through on goal after 32 minutes.
But with United defenders breathing down his neck, the youngster fluffed his lines and rolled the ball wide.
Cotterill flashed a shot just wide from 25 yards after cutting infield from the left-hand side before the Blades opened the scoring.
Stephen Quinn beat Westwood to the ball on the byline and, with the keeper stranded, crossed to the back post.
Darius Henderson looked certain to score but Westwood somehow recovered to palm away his header on the line.
The ball landed perfectly in Bromby's path six yards out and he volleyed goalwards but Westwood again scrambled across his line to make the save.
However, the referee's assistant on the far side ruled that the ball had crossed the line.
Westwood vehemently claimed he had kept out Bromby's effort.
He chased referee Kevin Wright back to almost the halfway line to contest the decision and was booked by the Cambridgeshire official for his protests.
But video replays justified the City keeper's actions.
Morgan timed his run perfectly to head home unmarked at the far post from Brian Howard's free-kick on the left-hand side.
Jordan Henderson steered an effort just over from the edge of the area but it would not be long before Coventry were back in the game.
Chris Coleman's team had played some superb free-flowing football, but the goal to half their deficit after 70 minutes was as route-one as they come.
A long throw by Aron Gunnarsson was nodded into the bottom corner by Dann from six yards out.
The Sky Blues piled on the pressure in the closing stages but were unable to find their way past a resolute United defence.
CCFC
Coventry City's six-game unbeaten run was brought to an end by Sheffield United after goals either side of the half-time whistle.
Leigh Bromby opened the scoring with a controversial goal in first-half injury time with Blades skipper Chris Morgan heading in a second five minutes after the second-half restart.
Coventry captain Scott Dann headed one back for the Sky Blues with 20 minutes to go and give the hosts some hope.
But despite a late push by Chris Coleman's side, it was not enough to prevent City's first defeat in the league since January.
The Sky Blues made all the running in the first 45 minutes but it was Kevin Blackwell's side who broke the deadlock against the run of play with their first real effort on goal.
City undoubtedly had more opportunities to take the lead in a relatively steady first half.
And Sheffield United, currently trying to cement a spot in the top six, rarely troubled Keiren Westwood's goal for City.
Freddy Eastwood and Jordan Henderson both had opportunities to hand Coventry the lead, Eastwood having a shot from the edge of the area pushed around the post by Paddy Kenny two minutes before the half hour.
Jordan Henderson then went through three minutes later after a deft flick on from Robbie Simpson only to shoot too early and pull his effort wide of the post.
But it was a cruel end to the half for Chris Coleman's side as Darius Henderson climbed to head at goal a minute into injury time, Westwood pushing the ball out of the goalmouth into the path of Bromby.
Bromby's tap at goal from inside the six-yard box was also blocked and scrambled away by Westwood.
But the linesman flagged the ball had crossed the line, handing Blades a goal lead going into the interval.
It got worse for the Sky Blues five minutes after the break, half-time substitute Isaac Osbourne giving away a free-kick on the left flank and Blades captain Morgan rising to head home past Westwood at the back post.
Dann gave City a glimpse of hope on 69 minutes, heading Aron Gunnarsson's mammoth throw past Paddy Kenny.
And, along with the introduction of Clinton Morrison five minutes previously, seemed to rouse the Sky Blues as they owned the final 15 minutes but just lacked the final ball as they peppered the United penalty area.
Substitute Guillaume Beuzelin's delivered corner four minutes after Dann's goal caused panic in the United area, bodies blocking the ball on the line with Jordan Henderson's follow-up effort going just over the bar.
But it was not to be for the Sky Blues as they were forced to succumb to their first loss for six games.
4thegame
Sheffield United continued their march towards the play-offs with a club record 12th away game unbeaten.
Kevin Blackwell's side moved up the table thanks in part to a controversial goal but had to hold on as Coventry came back strongly in the final 20 minutes.
Chris Coleman's men, just three days before their FA Cup quarter-final with Chelsea, had the best of the first half but failed to take the chances they created.
Freddy Eastwood forced keeper Paddy Kenny into a scrambled save before Jordan Henderson wasted a gilt-edged opportunity when he fired wired after being put through by Robbie Simpson.
But United, who had looked impressive enough without really creating many chances, broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time.
Leigh Bromby headed goalwards and keeper Keiren Westwood pushed the ball clear, but a linesman ruled that it had crossed the line.
The keeper raced 45 yards to protest and was promptly booked.
But if the home side had a burning sense of injustice in the second half it didn't show as, eight minutes after the interval, Chris Morgan rose between Scott Dann and Stephen Wright to head home a second.
The veteran defender had been unlucky in the first half when Westwood had pulled off a superb save to keep the effort at bay.
After Morgan's goal it looked as if Coventry were down and out but Coleman made a couple of changes and suddenly they picked up the pace.
They earned their reward when Aron Gunnarsson launched a long throw in the 70th minute and Dann was able to jump unchallenged and headed calmly down.
Henderson then blasted over after a scramble when he should have done better, but the Blades did well to limit Coventry's chances.
Worryingly for Coleman, highly-rated Dan Fox had to be replaced with a knee injury at half time and sub Clinton Morrison limped off at the end.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 10:24 pm
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