Godden scores again as Sky Blues get rare away winMatty Godden fired Coventry City to their second Championship win on the road at third from bottom Hull.
Mark Robins’s men started with plenty of purpose, controlling the early possession and playing on the front foot in Hull’s half as they looked to get ahead at the MKM Stadium.
Buoyed by the vocal 2,000 plus Sky Blue Army, who out-sang a subdued home crowd from the first whistle, Coventry’s endeavour paid off in the ninth minute when Viktor Gyokeres cut into the box looking to shoot, only to lose the ball to a decent tackle.
However, it fell loose to Ian Maatsen out wide on the left and the wing-back sent in a first time cross to the unmarked Godden who sent a stooping header in off goalkeeper Matt Ingram to give the visitors a deserved lead.
Godden could have had a second five minutes later when a blistering counter attack saw Callum O’Hare send the striker clean through on goal but, with just the keeper to beat, he attempted to place his shot to Ingram’s left, only for the Hull stopper to get a hand to it and push it wide for a corner.
Ingram had more work to do to keep the scoreline down just after the half-hour mark when O’Hare sprang Gyokeres free on the left and the big Swede cut inside and hit a powerful shot that the keeper flung himself at to make the save.
Simon Moore, meanwhile, was called upon for the first time at the other end in the 35th minute when the Tigers got in behind with a low ball in from the left falling to striker Tom Eaves who slid in to connect, only for the City keeper to drop low and make the save with a firm hand to his left. But with the linesman’s flag up it wouldn’t have counted anyway.
The game was more even to the break with Grant McCann’s side enjoying more approach play, albeit lacking quality with a number of stay shots.
Coventry finished the half strongly with four corners in quick succession and continued to probe for an all important second goal after the break when they again looked the more confident of the two sides.
Some impressive first touch passing saw Godden set up Gyokeres for a shot but he fired wide as City edged closer to finding another way through as the hour mark approached.
McCann threw on two fresh forwards in Josh Magennis and Mallik Wilks in a bid to pep things up midway through the second period when the game fell a bit flat and lacked quality, with Coventry holding onto their slender lead.
Mark Robins, meanwhile, responded by taking a striker off, with energetic midfielder Jamie Allen replacing Godden for the last 22 minutes.
The visitors were playing a dangerous game, sitting deeper and deeper as Hull looked for an equaliser which they almost got when Wilks was unmarked at the far post, only to head wide.
City had to defend late long throws and corners into the box but they kept their discipline with the help of late sub Liam Kelly and Moore who tipped over a late effort from Wilks.
City's travelling fans had to ensure five minutes of added time, during which Callum Elder curled a free-kick wide for the home side.
ATTENDANCE: 11,901