COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Haji Wright's goal was his third of the season



Goals from Jake Bidwell, Haji Wright and Brandon Thomas-Asante gave Coventry City a resounding win and inflicted Blackburn Rovers' first Championship defeat of the season.

Defender Bidwell headed Jack Rudoni's left-wing free-kick into the far corner of the net after 11 minutes.

Wright capitalised on a defensive mix-up three minutes into the second half and Thomas-Asante's late strike - his first league goal for the Sky Blues - sealed a deserved victory.

Coventry began the evening fourth from bottom of the table, having lost their previous two league matches and three of their previous four.

They were also dealt an early blow when winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto was stretchered off after being hurt in a challenge on Tyrhys Dolan.

But they went ahead just over a minute later courtesy of Bidwell, who then prevented an equaliser by clearing Dominic Hyam’s header off the line.

Coventry were otherwise on top for most of the first half and Rovers keeper Aynsley Pears kept out efforts from Rudoni, Ephron Mason-Clark and Thomas-Asante.

As the hosts continued to threaten, Ben Sheaf went close with a long-range strike, Milan van Ewijk fired into the side netting and Bobby Thomas missed a good chance to double the lead when he headed wide.

But there was no let-off for Blackburn when Dolan’s wayward pass deep inside his own played Hyam into trouble.

After Thomas-Asante pounced, the ball dropped to Wright , who cut in and blasted home right-footed.

And the hard-working Thomas-Asante was rewarded with a goal of his own when he fired in after a slick team move cut Blackburn open again. Pears got a hand to the shot but was unable to keep it out.

Coventry's win lifts them to 16th. Rovers, who were third, drop to fifth.

Coventry boss Mark Robins told BBC CWR:

“We were looking for a performance - and it was a big performance. We played really well, but I think we’ve played well in a number of games this season.

“I knew they were going to give a really performance and that’s exactly what we got. I’m delighted with them and for them - and for the supporters, who were right behind them from minute one.

“They’ve shown that they’re capable of playing some really good football and creating lots of chances. They're good players and I just want to see the belief in them.

“In the second half we were more clinical and ended up getting two more goals. It wasn’t anything that we didn’t deserve. We looked commanding."