Coventry City 3 - 2 Oxford United

[dutchman]

Coventry score 96th-minute winner against Oxford Utd



Coventry City striker Haji Wright snatched all three points for the Sky Blues with a 96th-minute winner against promoted Oxford United in the Championship.

Twice Oxford came from behind to leave them thinking they could maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

They followed Wright's opening header by quickly equalising through Ciaron Brown. Then, when Milan van Ewijk drilled the Sky Blues into a half-time lead, the U's did it again when Mark Harris levelled from close range on 55 minutes.

But there was a sting in the tail when Wright, making his first start after a troubled, injury-hit pre-season, rounded the keeper following Will Vaulks' misplaced backpass to earn City their first home victory since early April.

Coventry were ahead when Van Ewijk and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto linked up well in a rapid move down the right. And, from Van Ewijk’s hanging cross, Wright rose highest to power home an unstoppable header.

It should have quickly been 2-0 but, from Wright’s left-wing cross, Ellis Simms got himself in a tangle and the chance was spurned.

Oxford were level on 22 minutes when Coventry made a mess of clearing a harshly-awarded free-kick, the ball cannoned off Simms’ shin into the path of visiting defender Brown and he drilled an instinctive first-time low left-foot finish just inside the left upright.

Coventry were then back in front on 31 minutes when, as Wright’s attempt to cause havoc down the left was brought to a halt, the ball skewed square across the 18-yard line. The alert Sakamoto cleverly dummied for Van Ewijk lurking behind him and the Dutch defender's powerful low right-foot shot nutmegged not just one but two Oxford defenders on its way in.

Wright was then denied at the far post with another chance to give Coventry a two-goal cushion - and this proved costly 10 minutes into the second half when Oxford levelled for a second time.

From Cameron Brannagan's left-wing cross, Ruben Rodrigues attempted a diving header at almost floor level and it flew in the direction of Harris who, having been kept onside by Coventry 's last man, turned it in off his groin.

But, in a game as open as this one, there was always likely to be one final plot twist and, with one costly lapse of concentration, it duly came from Wright.

Coventry City boss Mark Robins told BBC CWR:

"We can drop ourselves in it, that's for sure. We can't be giving goals away like that.

"But some of our attacking play was unbelievable - and they have had to defend really well. Their keeper's made two great saves.

"If Haji Wright keeps going like that, with his pace and power all over the pitch, then he's going to be unplayable.

"What a game though. Some tasty football from both sides - and a great way for us to start at home."

Coventry are back in action in one of the three lunchtime kick-offs next Saturday at Bristol City, who they beat in the League Cup at Ashton Gate in midweek.