COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Eccles and Gyokeres fire Sky Blues on course for play-offs



First half goals from Josh Eccles and Viktor Gyokeres set Coventry City on course for a place in the Championship play-offs in front of a record 30,175 league crowd at the CBS Arena.

Local lad Eccles lit the Sky Blues touch paper with a third minute goal against Midland rivals Birmingham City as Mark Robins’ men rose to the big occasion with a comprehensive performance in an thrilling local derby.

City got off to a flying start when Gyokeres beat defender Maxime Colin to a header and drove down the left wing before cutting inside and squaring a pass to the young midfielder to side foot home with just two minutes and 50 seconds on the clock.

Kyle McFadzean almost doubled the lead two minutes later when he got his head to a corner which was tipped round the post by Blues’ keeper Neil Etheridge. The visitors, meanwhile, rarely troubled Coventry other than from long throws into the box from defender Marc Roberts as the home side took control in a lively first half.

The Sky Blues extended their advantage before the break when Roberts handled in the box as Eccles attempted to drive through, leaving Gyokeres to slot home into the bottom corner with a brilliantly taken penalty to give Mark Robins’ men a 2-0 lead on 42 minutes.

Blues’ boss John Eustace was sent to the stands by referee James Linington at half-time for protesting before the players came out again and

Gyokeres turned two defenders inside out as City went in search of a third early in the second half but unfortunately fired over the bar before slotting home minutes later, only to be ruled out for off-side from a Matty Godden pass.

There was a five minute delay in play on the hour when Tahith Chong was treated on the pitch for a nasty injury and eventually stretchered off before the game resumed with Coventry soaking up a bit of pressure before getting themselves back on the front foot with Jake Bidwell having a long range effort tipped over the bar.

City then saw out eight minutes of stoppage time to maintain their 20th clean sheet of the campaign and take a huge three points in a party atmosphere, moving back up to fifth in the league with one game to go.

Coventry beat Blues to edge closer to play-offs



Coventry moved closer to sealing a play-off spot as a home victory over Birmingham propelled them up to fifth.

Viktor Gyokeres cut in and laid the ball back for Josh Eccles to fire in his first senior goal from the edge of the box and put Coventry ahead.

Gyokeres doubled the lead shortly before the break, stroking home a disputed penalty after the ball hit Jordan James' arm.

The Sweden striker had another ruled out for offside, but Coventry will secure a top-six finish if they beat Middlesbrough in their final game.

Mark Robins' side will head to Teesside on the final day of the season with their fate in their own hands and in superb form after an 11th home win of the season - and they have lost just once in their past 16 league matches.

Jobe Bellingham sent a close-range header wide from Marc Roberts' long throw as Blues responded to Eccles' third-minute opener.

However, the hosts ended an evenly matched first half well on top when referee James Linington pointed to the penalty spot despite concerted Birmingham protests, and Gyokeres duly slotted his 21st league goal of a superb campaign.

Blues, who sit 17th, came out strongly after the break but were almost picked off twice by Gyokeres, who broke into the box and fired just wide and then had a second chalked off for offside.

Kevin Long glanced a header narrowly wide from Hannibal Mejbri's corner as Birmingham plugged away, but their struggles in front of goal continued - they have found the net just six times in their past nine matches.

And defeat could have been heavier without goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who tipped over Jake Bidwell's late strike after more good work from Gyokeres.

Coventry manager Mark Robins told BBC CWR:

"We took charge of the game from the first minute, all the way through the game I thought we were on top.

"To come away with a 2-0 win is fantastic in front of that crowd in the last home game of the normal season, and hopefully we can extend that.

"We've got plenty of work to do but we've got nine days before the next game so we can have a breather.

"We couldn't go to a more difficult place next week. Middlesbrough is a tough place to go and we know they are a really good side. It might be that we play them again (in the play-offs) but the chance would be brilliant."