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Coventry 1 - 2 Portsmouth

Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:25 am

Aaron Mokoena scored in the final seconds of extra-time as Portsmouth defeated unfortunate Coventry in the third round of the FA Cup.

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Leon Best had put Coventry ahead with a sensational strike on the turn from 20 yards in the first half.

Coventry skipper Stephen Wright then headed an own goal into his own net in the final minute of normal time.

Pompey dominated in extra-time, with Mokoena heading home from a corner to seal a tie against Sunderland.

The result was extremely harsh on Coventry, who deserved their draw in the first tie at Fratton Park and were the superior side for 70 minutes in Tuesday's replay.

Chris Coleman's team, sent out in a 4-4-2 formation, played with a steel and resolve but were hit by two killer blows - none more painful than Wright's own goal with his team looking good to close out victory.

But the result could yet prove to be of incalculable importance to Portsmouth, who won the competition in 2008.

Avram Grant's team are currently bottom of the Premier League and under a transfer embargo - but the backs-against-the-wall nature of this victory could give them the kick-start their season so obviously needs.

In truth it was a largely uninspiring match played in front of a sparse crowd on a bitter night at the Ricoh Arena, but one that was nonetheless briefly illuminated by Best's breathtaking 22nd-minute strike.

The Coventry striker ended an eight-game goalless streak with his awesome right-footed finish - a goal worthy of gracing any occasion.

Sky Blues skipper Wright set the tone for their performance after 10 minutes when he made an industrious run towards goal, coming in off the right flank before forcing a save from Begovic with a crisp strike.

Pompey struggled to retain possession in the opening half and all too often wasted the few promising positions they did manage to create by playing a poor final ball.

Even so the highly rated Keiren Westwood had to be alert to make two low first-half saves from strikes from wide angles from Kevin-Prince Boateng, who was perhaps the liveliest of the Pompey forwards.

There was little hint of the much-needed improvement that was to follow from the Premier League team in the opening minutes of the second half - and Best might have sealed victory with an acrobatic volley that flew wide.

Pompey finally started to assert a measure of control with 20 minutes remaining, while the home team increasingly surrendered territory.

Tommy Smith forced a decent save with a cross-cum-shot before Danny Webber came on for him and missed with a long-range effort.

Coventry looked to have held on but after a cross from substitute Angelos Basinas was headed into the six-yard box, Wright did what Pompey had failed to do by heading the ball beyond Westwood.

The only person close to Wright was team-mate Morrison and there was obviously a breakdown in communication.

There were few chances during extra-time but Michael Brown, who had been involved in several altercations with Coventry players during the game, played Webber clean through on goal but the striker was denied by Westwood.

Another glorious pass from the impressive Basinas then sent Utaka through but he tried to take the ball around Westwood and the striker's eventual shot from a tight angle was blocked.

A penalty shoot-out appeared to be certain but Pompey won a corner and the unmarked Mokoena scored his first goal for the south-coast club with a well-placed glancing header.

:bbc_news:

Re: Coventry 1 - 2 Portsmouth

Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:41 am

Can't believe they lost :shock: I only watched it till they played extra time - :(

Re: Coventry 1 - 2 Portsmouth

Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:40 pm

What was coleman thinking? the sooner best goes the better.
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