FOOTBALL - Coventry City 1-2 West Bromwich Albion - The Coventry Observer

FOOTBALL - Coventry City 1-2 West Bromwich Albion

Coventry Editorial 4th Dec, 2021 Updated: 4th Dec, 2021   0

COVENTRY City lost further ground on their play-off rivals after Kyle McFadzean’s controversial own goal shortly before half-time proved decisive at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

 

Karlan Grant broke the deadlock with a cool finish on 20 minutes before McFadzean inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net two minutes before half-time.

 




The own goal was shrouded in controversy however with the ball striking the arm of Cedric Kipre before then going onto McFadzean’s midriff and past Simon Moore.

 


McFadzean pulled a goal back for City with a powerful header on 83 minutes but Mark Robins’ side were unable to strike again as they were condemned to a second home defeat of the season.

 

And defeat for City means they remain sixth in the Sky Bet Championship table – two points clear of Stoke City who have a game in-hand.

 

The Sky Blues paid their respects to former FA Cup winning manager John Sillett prior to kick-off after he passed away earlier this week at the age of 85.

 

And Coventry made a quick start when Matty Godden’s low ball in from the right found Ben Sheaf in space in the penalty area only for the midfielder to miss his kick

 

West Brom then took the lead on 20 minutes with the first real chance of the game when Grant finished past City keeper Simon Moore after being played through by Callum Robinson.

 

And the Baggies had a chance to double their lead when Robinson’s ball to the back post ended up in the path of Darnell Furlong who saw his effort well blocked by Ian Maatsen.

 

The West Brom wing-back had another shot shortly after when he sliced a volley goalwards that was held by Moore diving low to his left.

 

Coventry came within inches of scoring an equaliser on 37 minutes when Todd Kane’s drilled cross was deflected onto the post by Baggies defender Kyle Bartley.

 

The visitors should have extended their lead a few minutes later when a long throw from the right was flicked on into the path of Robinson who turned the ball over the bar from six-yards out.

 

And West Brom soon had their second goal on 43 minutes when Furlong’s driven cross from the right was turned goalwards by the hand of Kipre and eventually went in off the unfortunate McFadzean with Kane unable to clear the ball before it crossed the line.

 

City looked to change the game in the second period by replacing Maatsen with Dom Hyam at half-time which allowed Fankaty Dabo to revert to his more familiar wing-back position.

 

And the Sky Blues spurned a golden chance to reduce the deficit when Callum O’Hare flashed a ball across the face of goal with Godden waiting unmarked at the far post.

 

Robins’ side came close again soon after when Sheaf fired narrowly wide from distance before Godden shot straight at West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone.

 

The chances continued to come the Sky Blues way when Dabo’s cross from the left was flicked away by a Baggies defender into the path of Kane who dragged his first-time effort wide when well-placed in the box.

 

City finally halved the deficit on 83 minutes when Kane’s corner from the right was powered home by the head of McFadzean to set up a grandstand finish.

 

However, the Sky Blues were unable to find yet another late equaliser despite a spirited second-half showing against a side who were only relegated from the Premier League last season.

 

Coventry are next in action against away at Huddersfield Town on Saturday, December 11 with kick-off at 12:30pm at the John Smith’s Stadium.

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