Coventry overrun Newcastle in sparkling second half
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COVENTRY, England (AP):
Teenager Sidiki Cherif scored one goal and set up another as Coventry overcame a disjointed Newcastle 4-1 yesterday to secure successive Premier League victories.
The win was a significant boost for Coventry, who lost their first four matches of the season before edging Nottingham Forest in their final league game prior to the international break.
The victory also marked the Midlands club’s first Premier League win in 25 years following their return to the top flight this summer.
“It is so hard to win, but we played like the team we want to be tonight,” coach Frank Lampard said.
“A team where you look at them and see spirit and energy. We know we are going to have to suffer a lot in games this season, but the work ethic of the boys and the belief mean you get what you deserve.”
Cherif was brought down just four minutes into the contest and Jack Rudoni converted the resulting penalty.
Newcastle controlled much of the first half without seriously testing the Coventry defence, but the home side took charge after the break with a clinical display in front of goal.
Cherif doubled the lead three minutes into the second half with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area. Although Sven Botman reduced the deficit with a stunning strike in the 70th minute, Ellis Simms restored Coventry’s two-goal cushion nine minutes from time.
Stephen Mfuni, the 18-year-old centre half on loan from Manchester City, capped a dream night by scoring his first professional goal in the 86th minute, lifting Lampard’s men to 14th in the standings.
Newcastle remain three places and two points above Coventry, but coach Matthias Jaissle admitted there was plenty of work to be done after a second consecutive 4-1 defeat away from home, following a similar result at Leeds a month ago.
“Back-to-back 4-1 defeats away are things we need to avoid in the future,” he said.
“We are frustrated. It is a feeling you don’t want to have after a match where you should win. We apologise to the fans that made the journey. They deserved a better result.”