Coventry City made their limited possession count with a ruthless 4-1 victory over Newcastle United on Monday, securing their first home Premier League win in 25 years and climbing out of the relegation zone.
Frank Lampard’s side scored four times despite having only 33 per cent of possession, matching Newcastle’s six shots on target from nine attempts. The visitors had 19 shots and six corners but struggled to turn their territorial advantage into goals.
Jack Rudoni opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the sixth minute after Newcastle goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek brought down Sidiki Cherif.
Cherif then doubled Coventry’s lead three minutes after half-time, scoring his first goal for the club with a powerful strike in the 48th minute.
Newcastle, who completed 67 per cent of their passes and recorded 19 attempts on goal, pulled one back through Sven Botman’s long-range effort in the 70th minute.
The goal offered the visitors hope of a comeback, but Coventry restored their two-goal cushion when substitute Ellis Simms scored in the 81st minute. Stephen Mfuni, 18, completed the rout five minutes later with his first senior goal, becoming Coventry’s youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer.
The result marked a significant turnaround for Coventry, who had failed to score in their opening four league matches. They have now recorded back-to-back league victories, following their 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
The victory lifted Lampard’s team out of the relegation zone, while Newcastle suffered their second consecutive 4-1 defeat away from home.
Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle will be concerned by his side’s defensive problems, having conceded eight goals across their last two away Monday-night fixtures.
For Coventry, the challenge is to build on the result and show that their clinical performance was more than a one-off. They are scheduled to visit Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, October 19.
Discussion0