Coventry City 1 - 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Coventry City 1 Wolves 1: Full-time report


Nathan Delfouneso equalises and celebrates with Callum Wilson

Nathan Delfouneso's late leveller ensured Coventry will be playing League One football next season as the Sky Blues held champions Wolves at Sixfields.

David Edwards struck six minutes from time to put Wolves into a late lead, but Coventry were level two minutes later courtesy of Delfouneso's header.

Coventry were deserving of a point as Wolves had struggled to create any clear cut chances with their best efforts limited to shots from distance.

The Sky Blues were tipped for relegation at the start of the season after being handed a ten-point penalty and being forced to play their home games at Sixfields Stadium.

But they have now secured their League One status with a game to spare as they sit four points above the drop zone.

As for Wolves, the result took them to the 100-point mark but they will have to beat Carlisle in their final game if they are to beat Charlton and Fulham's record of 101 for a campaign in English football's third tier.

Wolves fans have likewise had little to cheer about in recent years after consecutive relegations but they were in good voice after the 3-1 victory away at Leyton Orient on Easter Monday coupled with Brentford's failure to beat MK Dons saw them crowned champions.

Kenny Jackett has restored the good feeling around the club and he insisted his side would not rest on their laurels as they chased the points record.

And it appeared his players had taken his message on board as they controlled much of the play in the opening minutes.

But it was the home side which fashioned the first real chance of the game, Delfouneso sending a low shot narrowly wide from 25 yards after 11 minutes.

This appeared to spark Coventry into life, with Delfouneso and top-scorer Callum Wilson pressing the Wolves defenders and goalkeeper Carl Ikeme twice being closed down when attempting to clear.

Ikeme looked more assured when he claimed Cyrus Christie's teasing cross with Delfouneso waiting to pounce, while at the other end Liam McAlinden headed straight at Joe Murphy from eight yards when he really should have done better.

Mark Marshall was causing plenty of problems down the Coventry left but twice wasted good opportunities, firing high and wide when teammates were free in the centre.

Wolves had failed to build on their early impetus as they struggled to break through the hosts' midfield, but as the half drew to a close they began to reassert themselves with Murphy being forced into a smart save from Michael Jacobs' 25-yard shot.

The second-half started in the same way the first had ended, with Lee Evans creating space for himself on the edge of the Coventry box but he scuffed his shot which Murphy collected easily.

Jackett brought on Bakary Sako and Nouha Dicko on the hour mark and top-scorer Sako was immediately into the action, driving at the Coventry defence and forcing a corner.

This was met by Danny Batth but he couldn't get enough power on his header and Murphy was able to save.

Moments later Wolves had a strong penalty appeal turned down when James Henry's cross appeared to strike the arm of Jordan Willis, referee Brendan Malone waving away the protests and seemingly not interested in the shouts for a spotkick.

Despite the champions holding the upper hand following the substitutions, Coventry were causing problems of their own with Christie firing a shot narrowly wide of the far post from a tight angle.

The home defence were struggling to cope with the increased power and pace brought by Sako however and the 26-year-old shot wide after shrugging off the challenge of Christie before firing a free-kick straight at Murphy.

And the substitute was influential in Wolves taking the lead with seven minutes remaining. Sako collected the ball on the edge of the 18-yard-box and floated in a cross which was touched home by Edwards from six-yards for his ninth goal of the season.

Wolves fans and players were celebrating wildly with the goal momentarily seeing them on 102 points, and therefore re-writing the record books.

But their joy would last just two minutes as Coventry went right up the other end to earn themselves a crucial point.

Delfouneso was brought down wide on the left and Marshall's delivery was met by the Aston Villa loanee who headed past Ikeme.

It was just Delfouneso's second goal of the season but it was an important one as it meant that Coventry can head into their final game with Sheffield United safe in the knowledge that they have nothing to worry about.