Tag Archives: deegan

Hibs 1 Celtic 0: match report

Posted on by

Hibs 1 Celtic 0: Griffiths halts Hoops' title charge as champions suffer shock defeat

|

UPDATED:

17:52 GMT, 29 December 2012

Leigh Griffiths' 14th goal of the season gave Hibernian victory over Celtic in their Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Easter Road.

The on-loan Wolves striker struck in the eighth minute when he rounded Hoops keeper Fraser Forster and squeezed the ball in from an acute angle.

The visitors dominated almost totally thereafter but huffed and puffed when not being denied by Hibees keeper Ben Williams, who had a fine afternoon.

Winner: Leigh Griffiths celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game

Winner: Leigh Griffiths celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game

Match facts

Hibernian: Williams, Clancy (Maybury 58), McPake, Hanlon, Stevenson, Deegan, Taiwo (Handling 87), Claros, Cairney, Doyle, Griffiths (Wotherspoon 72).

Subs Not Used: Murdoch, Caldwell, Kuqi, Donaldson.

Booked: Deegan, Clancy, Taiwo.

Goals: Griffiths 9.

Celtic: Forster, Lustig, Wilson, Rogne (Kayal 70), Izaguirre, Ambrose (McGeouch 87), Brown, Wanyama, Nouioui (McCourt 66),
Samaras, Hooper.

Subs Not Used: Zaluska, Watt, Chalmers, Kidd.

Booked: Ambrose.

Att: 16,805

Ref: Craig Thomson

Although Eoin Doyle had two good chances before the break to double the home side's lead with Gary Deegan missing another in the second-half, these three points belonged to the Leith side's resolute rearguard who could have seldom withstood such a battering.

Celtic travelled to Glasgow having built up a head of steam with six successive wins but manager Neil Lennon made three changes to his starting XI with defenders Thomas Rogne and Mikael Lustig and striker Lassad Nouioui in for Charlie Mulgrew, Beram Kayal and Tony Watt with the latter two dropping to the bench.

Hibs showed two changes to the side which began the 1-0 home defeat to Ross County on Boxing Day.

Pat Fenlon drafted in defender Lewis Stevenson and midfielder Jorge Claros for David Wotherspoon and Ryan McGivern, the former starting as substitute.

The visitors, playing in all black, had Efe Ambrose, Rogne and Kelvin Wilson as their back three in a 3-5-2 formation which looked ropey in the early stages, even before Hibs took the lead.

Two minutes after Lustig's free-kick from 25 yards was comfortably saved by Williams, the home side were ahead as the Celtic defence again hesitated.

Griffiths raced on to Paul Hanlon's long ball chased by Rogne and when Forster raced out to meet him, the Hibs striker took the ball wide of the keeper before sliding it with great composure into the net from almost on the bye-line.

Missed chance: Celtic's Efe Ambrose (in air) puts the ball over the crossbar

Missed chance: Celtic's Efe Ambrose (in air) puts the ball over the crossbar

That goal was not in the Celtic script but in the 12th minute Hibs should have been two ahead when Doyle met a long Griffiths free-kick with his head six yards out his limp effort went straight to Forster.

The champions fought back and Gary Hooper hit the post from a Georgios Samaras pass but the flag was up for offside and as the game swung from end to end, Griffiths was also flagged as Doyle's cross-cum-shot evaded him at the back post.

In the 24th minute, with the Parkhead side beginning to turn the screw, Rogne headed a Lustig corner over the bar.

Celtic had changed to 4-4-2 with Ambrose moving into midfield and it was his mazy run towards the Hibs box where he was fouled by Gary Deegan, which earned the Leith midfielder a booking, which brought the next chance for the visitors.

However, Lassad's curling free-kick from 25 yards went high over the bar.

Hibs, increasingly ragged and occasionally desperate, could hardly get out of their own half as Celtic pressed hard for the leveller.

However, four minutes from the interval Doyle missed another great chance he blazed over the bar from 12 yards with only Forster to beat, after getting the break of the ball.

Dejected: Fraser Forster leaves the field following Celtic's surprise defeat to Hibs

Dejected: Fraser Forster leaves the field following Celtic's surprise defeat to Hibs

There was no let up from the Parkhead men when the second half started and in the opening minutes the ball flew in and around the Hibs box, without finding any takers.

The home side could find no respite yet in the 55th they had another good chance when Griffiths took a Doyle pass and laid it off to Deegan but he seemed to stub his two in his attempted shot from 10 yards and the ball trundled through to Forster.

Moments later, there was an appeal for a penalty when Doyle was challenged by Emilio Izaguirre in the Celtic box but referee Craig Thomson pointed for a goal kick.

It seemed a matter of time before the champions and SPL leaders would draw level.

In the 77th minute midfielder Victor Wanyama's 30-yard drive screamed just over the bar, before Williams made a decent save from Paddy McCourt, who had replaced Lassad, with skipper Scott Brown knocking the rebound over.

Moments later, after Ambrose had scooped the ball over from close range, Williams made a great save from Hooper, clawing his shot away from 14 yards for a corner which the Hibs' rearguard again defended.

There was time for Williams to make another save, this time from Kayal, who had earlier come on for Rogne, and somehow the final whistle sounded with Hibs having held out for three points.

Kilmarnock 1 Hibernian 1 – match report

Posted on by

Kilmarnock 1 Hibernian 1: Heffernan and Doyle strike as spoils shared at rain-soaked Rugby Park

|

UPDATED:

17:10 GMT, 23 December 2012

Kilmarnock and Hibernian served up some decent festive fare before sharing the spoils in their Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at a sodden Rugby Park.

In an entertaining first-half played in almost constant rain, striker Paul Heffernan gave the Ayrshire side the lead in the sixth minute before Hibees hit-man Eoin Doyle levelled in 26 minutes with his third goal in two games.

While Killie defender Robbie Fowler made a goalline clearance from Paul Cairney just after the break, excitement levels dipped and thereafter neither side did enough to claim all three points.

However, both sets of players deserve
credit for playing in some miserable conditions, as did the 4,023 fans
who braved the conditions.

Out in front: Heffernan celebrates opening the scoring

Out in front: Heffernan celebrates opening the scoring

Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels made one enforced change to his side with James Dayton coming into midfield to replace the suspended Liam Kelly.

The visitors, without skipper James McPake through suspension, showed two changes to their starting line-up with Lewis Stevenson coming in at left-back and midfielder Gary Deegan replacing Jorge Claros, who started on the bench.

Pat Fenlon's men, captained by Paul Hanlon and playing in all-yellow, found themselves behind early in the game after defender Alan Maybury had fouled Dayton 25 yards from goal when it looked as if he was favourite to clear Heffernan's poor cross.

Ben Williams made a fine save from Borja Perez's powerful free-kick but the Leith side failed to clear their lines and when Killie defender Michael Nelson put Heffernan in the Irishman skilfully lobbed the Hibs keeper from inside the box.

Stunned Hibs battled back but it was Killie who had the next chance in the 14th minute when Dayton's fine cross from the left found Heffernan but his header from eight yards slipped past the far post.

Moments later, Hibs striker Leigh
Griffiths fired a free-kick from 30 yards over Cammy Bell's crossbar,
before his low drive from similar distance sped past the post with the
Rugby Park keeper scrambling to cover.

Equal terms: Doyle celebrates (below) after bringing the two sides level

Equal terms: Doyle celebrates (below) after bringing the two sides level

Equal terms: Doyle celebrates (below) after bringing the two sides level

However, the visitors got themselves back on level terms after Heffernan lost possession in the centre circle with the ball breaking to Cairney.
The Hibs midfielder sent Griffiths racing down the right and his driven cross arrived at Doyle who did well to turn it at the far post.

Moments later, Heffernan had a drive deflected past for a corner from which the home side failed to capitalise before Doyle had a decent effort from 25 yards saved by Bell.

It was developing into an open game and in the 32nd minute Heffernan cleverly set up Jeroen Tesselaar inside a packed Hibs penalty area but the left-back's left-footed drive from 14 yards missed the target.

Four minutes from the break Killie escaped following a David Wotherspoon corner when Bell punched the ball in an attempted clearance and breathed a sigh of relief as it cannoned off Hanlon and back over the bar.

Ho, ho, ho! A first-aider gets into the Christmas spirit

Ho, ho, ho! A first-aider gets into the Christmas spirit

The Easter Road men should have taken
the lead just over a minute into the second-half when Doyle set up
Cairney in the box but his chip over Bell – when it looked like he would
have been better off blasting it – was headed off the line by Fowler.

There was little between the two
sides but Bell found himself called into action again when he had to
push a long-distance drive from Griffiths round the post for a corner
which, once more, came to nothing.

It looked as if something special
would be needed to find the winner and Kilmarnock defender Mohamadou
Sissoko almost provided it when he ventured up the park to have a go
from 35 yards but watched as the ball fizzed just past Williams' left-hand post.

Moments later, as the game continued
to flow from end-to-end, Cairney picked up a booking from referee Bobby
Madden for simulation after going to ground inside the box when taking
on Nelson.

In the 76th minute Chris Johnston
came on for Heffernan and Ivan Sproule replaced Wotherspoon as both
bosses looked for some inspiration.

However, while play was stretching by
the minute as the match entered its final stages, there was no clues as
to which side were most likely to find the winner.

In the 85th minute Williams spilled
Dayton's 25-yard free-kick before the Hibs defence eventually cleared to
safety but in the end both sides looked as if they had run out of steam
and thus, a draw was probably a fair result.

Celtic 2 Hibernian 2: Paul Cairney punishes carelessness as Bhoys squander lead twice

Posted on by

Celtic 2 Hibernian 2: Cairney punishes Bhoys as Lennon's men squander lead twice

|

UPDATED:

16:36 GMT, 1 September 2012

Careless Celtic twice threw away the lead against Hibernian to drop two points in their Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Parkhead.

Mikael Lustig notched his first goal for the Hoops in the 11th minute when he fired in from a Paddy McCourt corner but a disastrous mix-up between the Swedish defender and keeper Fraser Forster in the 53rd minute allowed Tim Clancy to equalise.

Lustig was involved again when Hibs skipper James McPake appeared to knock the ball into his own net after Easter Road keeper Ben Williams had made a mess of a Filip Twardzik free-kick but again poor defending by the champions allowed Paul Cairney to slip all too easily into their box and level with a drive.

Final say: Paul Cairney fires Hibernian's second to grab a share of the spolis at Parkhead

Final say: Paul Cairney fires Hibernian's second to grab a share of the spolis at Parkhead

Match facts

Celtic: Forster, Matthews, Wilson, Twardzik, Izaguirre, Forrest, Lustig, Wanyama (Irvine 46), McCourt (Commons 74), Hooper, Watt. Subs not used: Zaluska, Slane, McGregor, Chalmers, Fraser.

Scorers: Lustig 10, McPake 69 og.

Hibernian: Williams, Clancy, McPake, Hanlon, Maybury, Wotherspoon (Sproule 87), Deegan (Stevenson 87), Claros, Cairney, Griffiths, Doyle. Subs not used: Antell, Handling, Stanton, Caldwell, Kuqi.

Scorers: Clancy 53, Cairney 73.

Referee: Iain Brines.

The result may not have a significant impact on the SPL title race but it was a stark warning for Neil Lennon's men who learned that their first entry into the group stages of the Champions League in four years would see them take on Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow.

To add further to the feelgood factor in the east end of Glasgow before the game, Celtic paraded two of their three new signings.

Nigeria central defender Efe Ambrose, who signed a three-year contract after an undisclosed fee was agreed with Israeli club Ashdod and 27-year-old Venezuelan striker Nicolas Fedor – nicknamed Miku – who arrived on a year-long loan from Spanish side Getafe, were given a warm welcome from the fans.

Absent was the third recruit, 25-year-old Slovakia goalkeeper Lubos Kamenar from French side Nantes.

Scott Brown, Georgios Samaras, Charlie Mulgrew and Kris Commons dropped out, the latter to the bench, to be replaced by Tony Watt, Twardzik, McCourt and Lustig and it was the latter two, during a rather sedate start to the game, who combined for the opener.

Bundled home: Celtic's Mikael Lustig opens the scoring

Bundled home: Celtic's Mikael Lustig opens the scoring

When the Northern Irishman's corner from the right arrived at the feet of Lustig the Sweden defender volleyed it low past Williams from 10 yards with little hindrance from the static home defence.

It looked at that point like it was going to be a stroll in the sunshine for Lennon's men, more so when Gary Hooper crashed a shot off the crossbar in the 20th minute from 14 yards after being set up by James Forrest.

As the Hoops dominated against a helpless looking Leith side, Williams was forced into a good save from Victor Wanyama's drive before Watt, who scored a brace in his first start for Celtic in last week's 4-2 win at Inverness, sent his angled drive over the bar.

Forrest and right-back Adam Matthews both came close with efforts as the procession towards the Hibees goal continued.

In the 38th minute, moments after Hibs striker Leigh Griffiths' spectacular overhead kick from six yards following a rare foray in to the Celtic box had cleared the bar, Watt missed a golden chance to score his first competitive goal in front of the home support.

The 18-year-old striker was sent clear of the square Easter Road side's defence by Wanyama but although the former Airdrie United player was calm enough to flick the ball over the onrushing Williams, he missed the target.

Hooper then struck woodwork for the second time when he headed a Matthews cross off the near post.

Jackson Irvine came on to make his competitive debut at the start of the second half, replacing Wanyama but within moments Forster's goal survived a scare when Griffiths' whipped-in free-kick from the right was met by Hibs' striker Eoin Doyle who struck the post with his close-range effort.

The Parkhead defence failed to heed that warning.

A long ball from Doyle initially offered little danger but Lustig and Forster hesitated allowing Clancy to nip the ball past both and knock into an empty net.

The goal stung Celtic back into action and McCourt ended a trademark mazy run by sending his shot from 14 yards just past the post.

The home side restored their lead in the 67th minute when Williams spilled a good but not uncatchable Twardzik free-kick from 30 yards and as Lustig slid in to capitalise, McPake seemed to help the ball over the line.

However, that lead did not last long and in five minutes later slack defending again in the Hoops box allowed Cairney to ferret his way through before directing a low drive past Forster.

Commons replaced McCourt and when the Scotland midfielder sent in a free-kick from the left, it was cleared only to Twardzik who skied the ball over the bar.

The Parkhead side drove forward in the final stages looking for the winner but found a Hibs side determined to hang on and take full advantage of their hosts' hospitality.

Coventry suspend Gary Deegan for "Up the RA" tweet

Posted on by

Coventry suspend midfielder Deegan for 'Up the RA' tweet

|

UPDATED:

13:49 GMT, 28 June 2012

Coventry City midfielder Gary Deegan has been suspended by the club after posting a pro-RA slogan on Twitter.

The 24-year-old, who was born in Dublin, allegedly replied 'Up the RA' in response to Scottish-born team-mate James McPake who was called up for international duty by Northern Ireland.

Deegan quickly apologised but his
club, who were relegated to League One last season, have suspended him
for two weeks while they investigate.

Twitter row: Gary Deegan (left) has been suspended by Coventry

Twitter row: Gary Deegan (left) has been suspended by Coventry

His Twitter page appeared to have been deactivated.

A statement from the club read: 'Coventry City confirm that Gary Deegan has been suspended from training for a period of two weeks whilst further investigations take place into comments on Twitter social networking site.

'Neither the player nor the club will be making any further statement whilst internal investigations are on-going.'

Coventry suspend Deegan for "Up the IRA" tweet

Posted on by

Coventry suspend midfielder Deegan for 'Up the IRA' tweet

|

UPDATED:

11:27 GMT, 28 June 2012

Coventry City midfielder Gary Deegan has been suspended by the club after posting a pro-IRA slogan on Twitter.

The 24-year-old, who was born in Dublin, allegedly replied 'Up the IRA' in response to Scottish-born team-mate James McPake who was called up for international duty by Northern Ireland.

Deegan quickly apologised but his
club, who were relegated to League One last season, have suspended him
for two weeks while they investigate.

Twitter row: Gary Deegan (left) has been suspended by Coventry

Twitter row: Gary Deegan (left) has been suspended by Coventry

His Twitter page appeared to have been deactivated.

A statement from the club read: 'Coventry City confirm that Gary Deegan has been suspended from training for a period of two weeks whilst further investigations take place into comments on Twitter social networking site.

'Neither the player nor the club will be making any further statement whilst internal investigations are on-going.'

Cardiff 2 Coventry 2: Last-gasp strike denies Bluebirds victory in chase for play-offs

Posted on by

Cardiff 2 Coventry 2: Last-gasp strike denies Bluebirds victory in chase for play-offs

|

UPDATED:

23:41 GMT, 21 March 2012

Coventry’s travelling fans have become English football’s hardiest souls this season – and the 242 who went to Cardiff on Wednesday night deserved their wild celebrations.

Andy Thorn’s side are the only professional team without a win on their travels, but Oliver Norwood’s 94th-minute equaliser was enough to spark jubilant scenes.

Norwood, on loan from Manchester United, struck a shot from 25 yards that squirmed under goalkeeper David Marshall, just when it seemed Peter Whittingham’s 83rd-minute volley would win in for Cardiff.

Last gasp: Oliver Norwood celebrates scoring Coventry's equaliser

Last gasp: Oliver Norwood celebrates scoring Coventry's equaliser

MATCH FACTS

Cardiff: Marshall, McNaughton, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Cowie,
Whittingham, Gunnarsson, McPhail (Gestede 57), Lawrence (Earnshaw 73), Mason.

Subs Not Used: Heaton, Conway, Blake.

Booked: Gunnarsson.

Goals: McDonald 18 og, Whittingham 83.

Coventry: Murphy, Clarke, Keogh, Cranie (Hussey 87), Cameron, McSheffrey, Norwood, Clingan, Thomas (Deegan 90),
McDonald (Platt 70), Nimely.

Subs Not Used: Dunn, Christie.

Goals: Clarke 69,Norwood 90.

Att: 20,564

Ref: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire).

The hosts went ahead after 18 minutes when Coventry’s Cody McDonald headed a Liam Lawrence corner into his own net.

And when Gary McSheffrey missed a penalty just after half-time there
seemed no way back. But Coventry full back Jordan Clarke beat two
players before hitting a 67th-minute equaliser.

A delighted Thorn said: ‘I told them at half-time to play their football
and be brave. Even in injury-time we didn’t just lump the ball
forward. We kept passing it and got our reward.’

Cardiff, with billionaire Malaysian owner Vincent Tan and chairman Dato
Chan Tien Ghee watching for the first time since the Carling Cup final
at Wembley, look tired.

But manager Malky Mackay insisted: ‘I still believe we are playing well enough – my players looked confident on the ball.’

Mackay made one change to the side that drew 0-0
with Burnley on Sunday, as Stephen McPhail replaced ankle injury victim
Kenny Miller, while Coventry boss Andy Thorn handed recalls to Conor
Thomas in midfield and McDonald up front.

Thorn watched his side start brightly and McSheffrey's 20-yard effort flew harmlessly over the Cardiff crossbar.

Aron Gunnarsson fired wide for the hosts at the other end, while Alex
Nimely failed to test David Marshall in the Bluebirds' goal as both
sides created chances without hitting the target.

McSheffrey shot wide as Coventry looked in vain for an equaliser before
the break, and the visitors went even closer when Sammy Clingan's
free-kick was almost converted at the back post.

Gunnarsson brought a save out of Coventry stopper Joe Murphy and
Whittingham lobbed over the Sky Blues' bar in the dying moments of the
opening period, but Cardiff had to make do with a single-goal advantage
at the interval.

Coventry started the second half quickly, and McDonald nodded Nimely's
centre past a post before the visitors spurned a glorious opportunity to
level matters.

Gunnarsson felled Keogh in the area and referee Robert Madley pointed to
the spot, only for McSheffrey to fire the spot-kick over the bar.

All the signs pointed to it not being Coventry's, and in particular
McSheffrey's, night when the 29-year-old clipped the bar after 65
minutes. But the away side finally managed to restore parity four
minutes later.

Clarke seized possession inside the area and produced a fine effort to beat Marshall and find the bottom left-hand corner.

But Cardiff struck back and with seven minutes left Whittingham appeared to have secured all three for the hosts.

The Bluebirds' playmaker-in-chief arrowed an effort into the bottom
right-hand corner from 20 yards to cue delirium amongst the home crowd.

But Coventry deserved something to show for their efforts, and with time
ticking away Norwood collected from McSheffrey and rifled past Marshall
from range to salvage a share of the spoils for the away side.

Coventry 1 Birmingham 1: Curse of the former player strikes with McSheffrey and King on target

Posted on by

Coventry 1 Birmingham 1: Curse of the former player strikes with McSheffrey and King on target

|

UPDATED:

15:19 GMT, 10 March 2012

Gary McSheffrey and Marlon King both scored against their former clubs as a 1-1 draw at the Ricoh Arena did little for the respective survival and promotion hopes of Coventry and Birmingham.

For a midlands derby, the first half was a tame and forgettable affair but the game sprang into life after half-time.

The goals came within two minutes of one another midway through the second half.

On target: Marlon King lequalises

On target: Marlon King lequalises

Match facts

Coventry: Murphy, Clarke, Keogh, Cameron, Cranie, Baker (Thomas 81), Clingan, Norwood, McSheffrey, Nimely, McDonald (Platt 61). Subs not used: Dunn, Deegan, Christie.

Booked: Nimely, Clarke

Scorer: McSheffrey.

Birmingham: Myhill, Ramage, Caldwell, Davies, Spector, Burke, N'Daw (Mutch 73), Fahey, Huseklepp (Zigic 61), Townsend, King (Elliott 90). Subs not used: Doyle, Ibanez.

Sent off: Mutch.

Scorer: King 72.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick.

Attendance: 22,240.

McSheffrey, who had four years at
Birmingham before rejoining Coventry in the summer of 2010, had the
hosts dreaming of climbing out of the relegation zone with a sixth
npower Championship victory in their last eight home matches when he
headed the Sky Blues in front after 70 minutes.

But the lead lasted just two minutes
before King, Coventry's top scorer last season, capitalised on some
slack defending to equalise from close range.
Birmingham finished the game with 10 men after substitute Jordon Mutch
was shown a straight red card for allegedly elbowing Alex Nimely.

Andy Thorn's side stay in the bottom
three while Birmingham's hopes of mounting a late automatic promotion
challenge are looking increasingly slim after only one win in their last
five league games.

The only noteworthy action of the
first half came when the visitors thought they should have had a penalty
when Andros Townsend went down under a challenge from Jordan Clarke but
referee Neil Swarbrick waved away the appeals.

Guirane N'Daw and Chris Burke worked
Coventry goalkeeper Joe Murphy before the hour mark before Peter Ramage
and Keith Fahey also threatened for the Blues.

But it was Coventry who went ahead.

Carl Baker did brilliantly down the
right-hand side and his pin-point cross was headed back across goal by
McSheffrey from 12 yards out for his seventh goal of the season.

Opening strike: Gary McSheffrey (left) had Coventry dreaming of a precious win

Opening strike: Gary McSheffrey (left) had Coventry dreaming of a precious win

However, the lead was short-lived.
The Sky Blues failed to deal with a long throw from Ramage and after
substitute Nikola Zigic missed his header, King took advantage of
Clarke's hesitancy to tuck the ball away from six yards out.

Oliver Norwood almost immediately restored Coventry's lead but his curler from the edge of the box struck a post.

King came close to scoring a winner with five minutes remaining but he got his header wrong and the ball drifted wide.

Mutch was sent off in the final minute following an innocuous-looking challenge on Nimely.

Coventry 2 Leeds 1: Gary McSheffrey his penalty double

Posted on by

Coventry 2 Leeds 1: Another late sickener for United after McSheffrey's penalty double

Neil Redfearn’s hopes of becoming Leeds manager permanently were left in tatters as the fans turned against him during a defeat that lifted Coventry off the bottom of the table.

Redfearn, a lifelong Leeds fan, had to endure chants of ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ from 3,200 travelling supporters before Coventry’s Gary McSheffrey scored a penalty — his second of the night — in injury time to claim the points.

Mac speed: McSheffrey (right) celebrates scoring Coventry's opener

Mac speed: McSheffrey (right) celebrates scoring Coventry's opener

MATCH FACTS

Coventry: Murphy, Christie, Keogh, Cranie, Clarke, Norwood, Deegan, Baker, McSheffrey, Nimely, Platt. Subs not used: Dunn, Eastwood, Bigirimana, Ruffels, Willis.

Booked: Nimely, McSheffrey.

Goals: McSheffrey 21, 90 (both pens).

Leeds: Lonergan, Smith (O'Brien 74), Lees, O'Dea, White, Snodgrass, Delph (Brown 62), Clayton, Pugh, Becchio, McCormack (Nunez 83). Subs not used: Taylor, Townsend.

Booked: Pugh,Brown,White.

Scorers: McCormack 32.

Referee: Pat Miller.

Attendance: 15,704.

Ross McCormack had cancelled out
McSheffrey’s first but it was not enough for Redfearn, who had been
favourite to fill the vacancy left by the sacking of Simon Grayson.

Consecutive defeats by Brighton and now Coventry leave Mick McCarthy as the most likely to get the job.

Redfearn insisted: ‘I have never
regarded myself as a candidate,’ despite admitting previously that the
job could be his if results went well. He added:

‘All I ever wanted was to give the situation a bit of stability.’

He refused to comment on the
possibility the job might still be his but was scathingly outspoken
about Leeds’ performance. He admitted: ‘We didn’t turn up and that can
never be acceptable.’

Alex Nimely, a striker on loan from
Manchester City, won Coventry’s first penalty in the 20th minute when he
wriggled between three defenders before having his heels clipped by
Danny Pugh.

On the scoresheet: McCormack netted for Leeds

On the scoresheet: McCormack netted for Leeds

McSheffrey scored from the spot but
sloppy defending meant Coventry’s lead lasted for only 12 minutes. Aidan
White was allowed to burst into the home side’s penalty box before a
poor clearance left McCormack to drill in his 16th goal of the campaign.

In extra time a clumsy tackle by White sent Nimely sprawling once again and left McSheffrey to tuck away the winner.

Coventry manager Andy Thorn heaped praise on both Nimely and McSheffrey.

He said: ‘They showed tremendous character to ensure that we claimed a massively important victory.’

Reading 2 Coventry 0: Jason Roberts on target again for Royals

Posted on by

Reading 2 Coventry 0: Roberts on target again as Royals continue to climb

Jimmy Kebe and Jason Roberts found the net as Reading made it back-to-back home wins in the npower Championship with victory over Coventry.

The pair both registered in the first 45 minutes as the Royals followed up their 1-0 triumph over Bristol City at the Madejski Stadium a fortnight ago with another three important points in the race for a play-off place.

Despite starting the match slowly and enjoying very few clear-cut chances, Reading cantered into a two-goal half-time lead.

Solid win: Brian McDermott saw his Reading side move to within a point of the play-off places

Solid win: Brian McDermott saw his Reading side move to within a point of the play-off places

MATCH FACTS

Reading: Federici, Connolly, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Kebe (Cywka 76), Karacan, Leigertwood (Tabb 87), Joseph Mills, Hunt (Church 67), Roberts.

Subs Not Used: Andersen, Le Fondre.

Booked: Leigertwood.

Goals: Kebe 25, Roberts 43.

Coventry: Murphy, Christie, Keogh, Cranie, Wood (Clarke 7), Norwood, Clingan (Bell 59), Deegan (Baker 76), McSheffrey, Nimely, Platt.

Subs Not Used: Dunn, Eastwood.
Booked: Christie, Cranie, Clarke.

Attendance: 18,006

Referee: David Coote

Kebe opened the hosts' account with a deflected attempt midway through the opening period before Roberts bundled the ball home from Ian Harte's corner two minutes before the break to hand the Berkshire outfit a comfortable advantage at the interval.

In the second half, Coventry came close through Alex Nimely and Gary McSheffrey, both of whom produced fine saves from Reading keeper Adam Federici, but the visitors struggled to find a breakthrough.

Reading manager Brian McDermott handed a debut to on-loan full-back Matthew Connolly, while the Royals were buoyed by the returns of midfielder Mikele Leigertwood and winger Kebe.

Kaspars Gorkss took the captain's armband in the absence of Jobi McAnuff, with Joseph Mills filling in on the left of midfield.

Coventry brought Oliver Norwood and Cyrus Christie into their starting line-up, with David Bell and Jordan Clarke dropping to the bench, but boss Andy Thorn was forced into an early change as Richard Wood made way for Clarke within seven minutes because of injury.

After a quiet opening to the match, Noel Hunt saw his tame shot saved by Joe Murphy before Gary Deegan's 25-yard snap shot flashed wide of the Reading goal.

The visitors had started well, but life on the road has not been kind to Coventry of late and the Sky Blues' chances of avoiding an eighth successive away defeat took a serious dent when Kebe marked his comeback from a knee injury with a goal after 25 minutes.

The Malian picked up a loose ball outside the penalty area, burst into the box and lobbed a deflected effort past Murphy from 15 yards.

Having struggled to get a foothold on proceedings in the first 20 minutes, the strike suddenly handed Reading the upper hand.

Hunt nodded Harte's corner just wide after Alex Pearce and Gorkss both went close from similar positions, and the Royals had their guests on the ropes.

And their dominance paid off for a second time in the 43rd minute.

Harte whipped in a corner from the right, Connolly nodded the cross on and Roberts popped up to usher the ball over the line for his second goal since arriving from Blackburn last month.

After the break Reading slipped back into a comfortable rhythm and Roberts felt he should have had a penalty after being felled following a zig-zagging run into the area, but referee David Coote waved away the frontman's claims.

The experienced striker was back in the action moments later, however, shooting high and wide after latching onto Hunt's flick-on.

Coventry went close through the lively Nimely, who produced a good save from Federici from 12 yards out, and the Reading stopper performed acrobatics to tip McSheffrey's long-range piledriver over the crossbar moments later.

Bell came off the bench for the injured Sammy Clingan for Coventry as the Sky Blues continued to stretch their hosts.

Federici again denied Nimely, following his turn and shot from the edge of the box, before the Australian had a much easier save to make from McSheffrey's mis-hit left-footed effort.

And despite having the better of the chances in the second period, Coventry's miserable away run drags on.

Coventry 3 Middlesbrough 1

Posted on by

Coventry 3 Middlesbrough 1: Two sent off for Boro as Sky Blues soar to victory

An inspirational performance from debutant Alex Nimely helped basement club Coventry to a 3-1 victory over nine-man Middlesbrough who suffered their third successive league defeat.

The on-loan Nimely, who spent the first half of the season with Middlesbrough, set up Gary McSheffrey for the game's opening goal and added a second early in the second half after Kevin Thomson had been sent off.

Middlesbrough captain Matthew Bates then scored at the wrong end after a clever cross from Coventry substitute David Bell.

Gone: Kevin Thomson was sent off in the first half

Gone: Kevin Thomson was sent off in the first half

MATCH FACTS

Coventry: Murphy, Keogh, Hreidarsson, Cranie, Christie, Clingan, Deegan (Bell 46), Thomas, McSheffrey, Nimely, Platt (Eastwood 79)

Subs not used: Dunn, Wood, Baker

Goals: McSheffrey 36, Nimely 57, Bates og 64

Bookings: Deegan, Hreidarsson

Middlesbrough: Coyne, Hoyte (McMahon 70), Bennett (McManus 69), Bates, Williams (Smallwood), Thomson, Robson, Arca, Haroun, McDonald, Emnes

Subs not used: Ripley, Martin

Goals: McDonald 66

Bookings: Thomson, Williams, Robson

Red cards: Thomson, Arca

Scott McDonald pulled one back for the visitors who made three quick substitutions to try and turn the game in their favour.

But the hosts held on with Boro winger Julio Arca seeing red in the closing stages for a two-footed lunge on Sammy Clingan.

Middlesbrough's new signing Lukas
Jutkiewicz was denied the chance to face his former employers due to an
agreement between the two clubs.

But fellow striker McDonald was presented with two glorious opportunities inside the opening nine minutes.

He latched onto a mistake from Sammy
Clingan only to volley straight at Joe Murphy before the Sky Blues
stopper produced a magnificent save to deny the same player moments
later.

Murphy continued to impress as
another flowing Middlesbrough move culminated in a Joe Bennett drive
which was tipped over by the Republic of Ireland international.

The dynamics of the game then shifted
significantly when the hosts broke the deadlock in the 36th minute as
Nimely fed McSheffrey to slot home from inside the area.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men
moments later when Thomson, who had been harshly booked just 11 minutes
earlier for bringing down Cyrus Christie, was shown a second yellow
card.

The midfielder could have no
complaints over his second caution as he flew in with his studs showing
to bring down goalscorer McSheffrey.

The game threatened to boil over in
the aftermath of Thomson's dismissal and that prompted Coventry boss
Andy Thorn to substitute Gary Deegan, on a yellow card, for Bell at
half-time.

Nimely, making his first appearance
since joining on loan from Manchester City, failed to score during his
time with Boro but he headed home 57 minutes into his Coventry career.

Boro felt the ball had not crossed
the line as a defender hooked it clear but the assistant referee was
perfectly placed to award the goal.

Nimely was involved in the third goal
seven minutes later as he released Bell out wide and his first time
cross was touched in by Bates with Clive Platt in close pursuit.

Boro responded instantly when Marvin
Emnes' driven cross was nodded in by McDonald and Mowbray attempted to
rally his troops with a triple change.

But Coventry used their extra man
advantage to close out the game as Middlesbrough's dismal afternoon was
completed in stoppage time when Arca earned their second red card.