Yahoo News Andy Turner's Coventry City player ratings after play-off setback at Southampton
Coventry City suffered a setback to their play-off hopes with defeat at fourth placed Southampton in their big game in hand at St Mary’s Stadium. Haji Wright passed up the opportunity to give City the early lead when he slipped and missed from the penalty spot in the tenth minute after Joel Latibeaudiere had been brought down in the box.
The visitors were then punished in the 19th minute when Kyle Walker-Peters pulled across Josh Eccles to get his shot away and beat Brad Collins with a powerful effort into the far corner, albeit in controversial circumstances as it hit Che Adams’ arm on the way in, with the referee failing to see the offence.
Former Sky Blues Academy kid Adams then doubled the lead before the break with a close range finish after City failed to clear in the six-yard box from a second phase corner, with Collins attempting to punch clear and Bobby Thomas unable to kick away the loose ball. Jake Bidwell pulled a goal back in the 68th minute as Mark Robins’ men launched a second half fight-back with a sustained spell of pressure but couldn't find another goal. The defeat leaves Coventry five points off sixth placed Norwich with five games left to play.
READ MORE: FA Cup ticket update as Sky Blues get increased allocation
READ MORE: Mark Robins' City season ticket message as Vik exit closer
STARTING FORMATION: 4-5-1/4-2-3-1
BRAD COLLINS: 5.5
Made a diving save to his right to deny David Brooks but well beaten for the first goals, which took a deflection of Adams’ arm. Came to punch but missed the cross for the second goal from a second phase corner, resulting in Adams hooking over the line from close range. Blocked well with his legs at his near post to deny Adams.
JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE: 5.5
Back in the starting line-up but picked up an early yellow card in the third minute to ensure he had to watch his step for the remainder of the game. Won a penalty in the ninth minute, only for Wright to slip and miss the target.
BOBBY THOMAS: 5.5/6
Forced to defend for long periods in a hectic first half when Saints enjoyed plenty of the ball in and around City’s box. Should have done better for the second goal. Made a vital tackle to deny Armstrong gong clean through. Defended well in the second half, reading the game well to cut out dangerous through balls.
LIAM KITCHING: 6
Took a no-nonsense approach to defending as City attempted to clear and block in the box amid relentless first half pressure.
JAKE BIDWELL: 7.5
Headed clear in the six yard box with some brilliant defending to deny Saints the 15th minute lead and gave his usual 110 percent commitment and consistent display. Pulled one back in the 68th minute when he got on the end of a cross from Tavares, hitting a good finish.
JOSH ECCLES: 5
Allowed Walker-Peters to pull wide to get his shot away to score the opening goal. Tackled well as City’s midfield had their work cut out in the middle of the park.
BEN SHEAF: 5.5
Worked hard but City were overrun as Saints dominated the ball and worked it through to their fluid forward line.
MILAN VAN EWIJK: 5.5/6
City’s most effective outlet on the counter attack in a difficult first half when Saints bossed possession. Limped off injured early in the second half following a 50/50 challenge in the box.
CALLUM O’HARE: 5.5
Lively and involved in decent counter attacks as City were forced to play for large periods without the ball. Worked hard and ran himself into the ground trying get the ball back and attempting to spark attacks.
HAJI WRIGHT: 6
Missed a tenth minute penalty when he slipped at the vital moment and hit the ball over. Made some decent runs down the left on the occasional City attack in the first half. Put in a real shift, tracking back to help in back the ball. Forced the keeper to save late on as City went looking for an equaliser.
ELLIS SIMMS: 5.5
Displayed good strength to hold up the ball but didn’t see a great deal of it as the home side dominated possession and cut their way through City far too easily. Starved of service.
SUBSTITUTES:
FABIO TAVARES (50 mins, for Van Ewijk): 6.5
Added pace but far too sloppy with his passing, with the ball being cut out on a number of occasions. Grew in confidence as the second half went on, going close with a left foot effort that skimmed the bar. Provided the assist for Bidwell to score. Provided a second half spark.
VICTOR TORP (72 mins, for Eccles): 5
Got straight into the game with a lovely through ball for Haji, only for the striker to be marginally off-side.
KASEY PALMER (80 mins, for O’Hare):
JAY DASILVA (80 mins, for Bidwell):
LUIS BINKS (80 mins, for Kitching):
Subs (not used): Ben Wilson (GK), Liam Kelly, Dermi Lusala, Kai Andrews.
SOUTHAMPTON (4-3-3): Gavin Bazunu; Kyle Walker-Peters, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jack Stephens, James Bree; Joseph Aribo, Flynn Downes, William Smallbone; David Brooks (65 mins, for Ryan Fraser), Che Adams, Adam Armstrong (75 mins, for Sekou Mara).
Subs (not used): Joe Lumley (GK), Stuart Armstrong, Joe Rothwell, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Samuel Edozie, Shea Charles, Jan Bednarek.
GOALS:
SAINTS: Walker-Peters (19), Adams (38)
SKY BLUES: Bidwell (68)
REFEREE: James Linington.
ATTENDANCE: 28,564
NEXT UP: Birmingham City (a) Saturday, April 13 (3pm).
