Sky Blues see off Wolves
Leaders pay the penalty at Ricoh Arena
Last Updated: February 7, 2009 5:42pm
Westwood: Penalty save
Keiren Westwood's last-gasp penalty save secured Coventry a 2-1 win over leaders Wolves at the Ricoh Arena.
The keeper saved Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's injury-time spot-kick after the striker was felled by Ben Turner.
Michael Doyle gave Coventry the lead in the first half but substitute Sam Vokes brought Wolves level. However, parity proved short-lived as Leon McKenzie's grabbed the winner for the home side.
Doyle followed up his goal in the defeat at Derby last week by getting on the scoresheet again after 25 minutes following good work by his fellow Republic of Ireland international Clinton Morrison.
Morrison showed good strength to hold off Richard Stearman and get a shot away. His effort struck a post and rebounded kindly into the path of Doyle who could not miss from six yards out.
Against run of play
The goal came somewhat against the run of play. Wolves had been the better side and Coventry struggled to get out of their own half early on.But the hosts grew in confidence after the goal and David Bell, making his home debut following his deadline-day transfer from Norwich, came close to extending Coventry's lead before the half-hour mark.
Christophe Berra should have equalised just before the break but he headed over from Matt Jarvis' corner when unmarked just six yards out.
The Scot was presented with a similar chance after an hour, he managed to get his effort on target this time but it was a comfortable save for Westwood.
Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo have scored 33 league goals between them for Wolves this season but they did not get a sniff of a chance in this game.
Mick McCarthy decided to split up the partnership after 62 minutes by bringing on Vokes for Iwelumo, and it proved to be an inspired move as the Wales international brought the league leaders level within 10 minutes of his introduction.
Equaliser
Michael Kightly dug-out a cross from the left-hand side and Vokes was on hand to head home at the far post.But parity lasted just three minutes. McKenzie should have scored moments before following a mistake by Berra but somehow blazed his shot over the crossbar from six yards.
He made no mistake when given a second opportunity, slotting the ball into the bottom corner after collecting Jordan Henderson's pass.
Only a fine save from Wayne Hennessey to tip Morrison's shot round the post prevented Coventry from extending their lead before Westwood's heroics at the end.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Leon McKenzie
Michael Doyle
Sam Vokes
