Yahoo News Coventry City player ratings v Oxford United as Haji Wright and Milan van Ewijk steal the show
Coventry City earned their first victory of the 2024/25 Championship season in dramatic fashion as Haji Wright's injury time goal gave Mark Robins' men a 3-2 success.
Haji Wright and Milan van Ewijk both put the Sky Blues ahead either side of Ciaron Brown’s equaliser for the visitors in the first-half. However, Mark Harris netted for the second consecutive game for Oxford after half-time and the game looked to be heading for a draw until the late drama at the CBS Arena.
Fortunately for the Sky Blues, Wright was on hand to scored the winner in the sixth minute of injury-time. The USMNT star latched on to a mistake by Will Vaulks before rounding Jamie Cumming and tapping home.
READ MORE: Coventry City 3-2 Oxford United highlights as Haji Wright nets injury-time winner
READ MORE: Coventry City 'miles away' from rivals but Mark Robins has a fitting reply
The hosts had made their early pressure pay in the 15th minute when Haji Wright scored his first goal of the season from close range.
But Championship newcomers Oxford kept to their plan of frustrating the Sky Blues and made the most of their set-pieces with an equaliser. Centre-back Ciaron Brown's low drive past Oliver Dovin crept into the bottom corner in front of the jubilant away fans.
Coventry continued to enjoy the majority of the possession and it wasn't long before they were back ahead. Van Ewijk added a goal to his earlier assist with a low drive from outside the penalty area after the hosts failed to clear.
After the break, Oxford continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack and levelled once again through Harris. Cameron Brannagan's cross found its way to the striker, who knew little about it before going in.
Here are our Coventry City player ratings v Oxford...
Oliver Dovin
Seemed a little shaky on the ball when put under pressure. Couldn't have done much with both goals, with the first coming at him like a flash and the second being fumbled in from close range. He did make a crucial block late on to stop a low cross reaching Harris. 6
Milan van Ewijk
Goal and assist for the wing-back. Brilliant when defending with his pace vital in delaying Oxford's threat on the counter. Produced a sensational cross for Wright's opener and scored a great goal under pressure. Struggled to make the same impact in the second half. 7
Joel Latibeaudiere
Calm and composed on the ball as Coventry's sweeper in defence. Was visibly frustrated with both of Oxford's goals. There was one moment in the second half where he stood up Harris in a 1v1 very well before making an inch-perfect tackle. 6
Luis Brinks
Competed with Harris well throughout and showed great strength to keep the striker out. Very good on the ball and helped push Coventry's forward line up the pitch. A good partnership is certainly blossoming with Latibeaudiere. 6
Jake Bidwell
Much more reserved in his attacking duties compared to Van Ewijk. Didn't read Brannagan's cross for the second goal which led to Harris eventually equalising. The left-back was somehow denied a goal at the back post from close range. 6
Josh Eccles
Patrolled matters in the centre of the pitch well and made a number of well-timed tackles to halt Oxford in their tracks. Would have been disappointed by the amount of joy Oxford had in the second half through the centre, especially on the counter. 6
Victor Torp
Every team needs a player who can carry the ball, pass it well and be a physical figure in duels. Torp is Coventry's. He did all the basic things right and delivered some delicious balls into the box. 6
Jack Rudoni
Instrumental to most of Coventry's attacks through the middle and constantly an option in between the lines. Linked up with the front three very well in the first-half but fell victim to Oxford's improved defensive display after half-time. 7
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto
A tricky customer for Joe Bennet all evening. Got behind his man on a number of occasions and delivered a number of teasing crosses. Like Wright, Sakamoto's impact on the game dipped after half-time and he struggled to get on the ball to create 1v1s with Bennett. 6
Haji Wright
Took his goal very well and got into some decent positions. Wright was a danger for Oxford throughout the first-half with his electric pace a problem but everything went against him in the second half - until that magic moment right at the end. 7
Ellis Simms
Didn't get much of a sniff in the box but constantly made runs down the channels. Kept Oxford's defence busy with his physical presence but was often overlooked as Coventry worked down the wings. Struggled to make an impact on the game. 6
Substitutes
Brandon Thomas-Asante
Did exactly what he was introduced to do and caused headaches for Oxford's defence with his pace and agility. The pace of the game probably went against him, but he kept moving in hope of one ball landing at his feet. 5
Ephron Mason-Clark
The forward was so unlucky not to score his first goal for the club when he followed up Cumming’s save.
Jay Dasilva
Used to nullify Oxford’s counter in the second half and did that job very well. Constantly an option on the left as Coventry looked for a winner.
Kasey Palmer
Found himself with the ball at his feet on the edge of the box twice but was instantly under pressure.
