Millwall 0 - 4 Coventry City

[dutchman]

[dutchman]

Match report and key analysis as the Sky Blues go top



Coventry City FC's fans headed home to a rousing chorus of “we’re top of the league” after a superb display at the notoriously daunting Den.

Three goals inside the first 23 minutes – Adam Armstrong lifting his personal tally to four from two matches – left no room for doubt about the result. And having seen out the second half in thoroughly professional style they celebrated with a stunning fourth from Jim O’Brien.

The Lions seemed certain to take a third-minute lead when Burge blocked an angled drive from Beevers but, attempting to recover the loose ball, sent Gregory tumbling.

The keeper redeemed himself, however, by diving to his left to fend off Gregory’s spot-kick.

And just three minutes later City took the lead in sensational style as Armstrong picked up the ball 30 yards out and, spotting Forde off his line, floated a brilliantly judged chip over the stranded corner.

There was an unsavoury interlude in the 11th minute as Beevers tried to pick a fight with Maddson. The towering defender pressed his forehead into the slimline teenager but referee Webster strangely decided to book both players.

Maddison exacted his revenge in the 18th minute, slicing open the Lions defence with an ultra-precise pass inside Beevers and Lameiras cut in from the right to tee up a left-foot shot that beat Forde at his near post.

Five minutes later it was 3-0 – Lameiras the architect this time as he cannily delayed his pass until Armstrong got back onside and then slide the ball through for the Newcastle youngster to race clear and chip the ball over the exposed Forde.

The Sky Blues, playing a system that shifted from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 and even the 4-2-4 that accounted for Wigan last weekend, produced some exquisite football at times and the Millwall fans grew increasingly disenchanted.

Maddison, at the receiving end of several hefty challenges, gave way to new recruit Jacob Murphy on the hour and ten minutes later Marcus Tudgay replaced Lameiras who has also taken more than his fair share of punishment.

Murphy sent Armstrong through for a low shot well saved by Forde and the two substitutes then combined brilliantly to tee up O’Brien for a thunderous finish.