Sheffield United 0 - 0 Coventry City

[dutchman]

Sheaf impressive and McFadzean solid against home-town club



Coventry City earned a much deserved point at Sheffield United where clear cut chances were few and far between.

The Sky Blues had a game plan with a slightly changed formation, starting with a box midfield and just one up front, and it worked to good effect in a tight first half when the extra midfielder helped take the sting out of the Blades.

Former Coventry player of the year John Fleck was the first player to have an attempt on goal, screwing an effort well wide in front of the 2,725-strong Sky Blue Army, but the Scot still provided plenty of quality in midfield for the Blades, sparking a threatening attack that was dealt with on 12 minutes.

City, however, were the first to test the keeper when Ben Sheaf sent in a curling shot from just outside the box on the 15 minute mark, forcing Wes Foderingham to dive to his right to make a decent save as Coventry grew in confidence.

Callum O’Hare made the keeper work at his near post midway through the opening half when the home fans began to get restless and moan at their own players for their lack of endeavour.

And when left wing-back Enda Stevens got a rare shot off for the Blades towards the end of the half, but fired woefully wide, the United players left the field at the break to boos from their fans.

The home manager threw on another former Coventry player at the break, sending on one-time loan star David McGoldrick as he looked for more of an attacking threat.

But it was Viktor Gyokeres who forced another save from Foderingham with a snap shot from the edge of the box denied as the keeper dropped low to his left.

O’Hare dribbled his way into the box and went to ground after appearing to be caught by Fleck, who made a diving action with his hands as the City player appealed for a penalty, and the card happy referee Michael Salisbury booked the City player, much to his astonishment given that he’d tried to stay on his feet.

Robins then took Gus Hamer off as a precaution, with the midfielder on a yellow card, and switched to two up top, with Matty Godden and Tyler Walker going on as Gyokeres was withdrawn.

Morgan Gibbs-White fired wide when teed up by a team-mate and then turned provider minutes later, setting up McGoldrick who steered a free shot over the bar as United began to gain momentum.

Villa loan man Conor Hourihane found more worrying space to shoot on 73 minutes but sent it wide, while Simon Moore made his first save of the afternoon on 82 minutes to deny McGoldrick from distance.

And the former City star brought more frustration for the fans when he beat the off-side trap and fired high over the goal.

Liam Kelly replaced Sheaf as City looked add fresh legs to help see the game out as the visitors were forced increasingly deeper in the last ten nervous minutes when Gibbs-White was denied by a firm hand from Moore.

ATTENDANCE: 28,075 (2,725 away)

[dutchman]

Coventry earn draw at Sheffield United



Coventry City continued their impressive start to the season with a deserved point against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Boss Mark Robins left Matty Godden on the bench despite his five goals in the previous six games, and the extra man in midfield prevented the Blades from developing any sort of attacking rhythm.

The home side were booed off by some of their fans at half-time after failing to produce a single effort of note.

They belatedly raised their game to dominate the final half hour and it took a great save by former Blades keeper Simon Moore to deny Morgan Gibbs-White a late winner.

United manager Slavisa Jokanovic made four changes for the return of the Championship following the international break, with his side a disappointing 17th in the table as the game kicked off.

But they were hustled out of their stride by a fourth-placed Coventry team showing far greater urgency in the first half, with Viktor Gyokeres a willing outlet in the lone striker role.

Wes Foderingham, playing his first game since September because of Robin Olsen's injury, dived to his left to push away Ben Sheaf's 25-yard strike and was called on again when Gyokeres wriggled into space after the break and shot low from the edge of the box.

Robins sent on Godden just after the hour mark, but his arrival was followed by the home side's best spell of the game as David McGoldrick blazed over from Gibbs-White's cutback and Conor Hourihane flashed a left-foot shot just wide after being given too much time on the ball.

McGoldrick finally produced United's first on-target effort in the 81st minute, but it was comfortable for Moore in the Sky Blues' goal.

Moore then produced arguably the best save of the game to keep out Gibbs-White's fierce drive and secure a point for his side.

Coventry manager Mark Robins:

"The last time we came here we lost 2-0 and we were on our way to League Two. We have been on totally different trajectories.

"The fact we have come here and really gone toe-to-toe is testament to all the work that has gone on over the last four or five years.

"We were leggy at the end, they worked us really hard -but that is what happens when you play against top players.

"I can't be too critical - the work-rate was good and so was some of the quality."