Saints keep automatic hopes alive with Coventry win

9 Apr 2024
Che Adams' 12th goal of the season doubled Saints' lead in the first half

Southampton ended a three-game winless run as two first-half goals gave them victory over Coventry City to keep their faint hopes of Championship automatic promotion alive.

Southampton - Figure 1
Photo BBC News

Kyle Walker-Peters opened the scoring after his long-range effort was deflected off Che Adams, minutes after Coventry striker Haji Wright had slipped and missed a penalty kick.

Adams scored his 12th goal of the season 20 minutes later, turning home from close range after a Taylor Harwood-Bellis header across goal.

Play-off chasing Coventry were unable to launch a comeback, despite a second-half Jake Bidwell goal.

Wright had the chance to give the Sky Blues an early lead from the penalty spot, but he slipped on his final step and the ball hit the bar.

Haji Wright missed a penalty after 10 minutes, slipping as he took his final step

Mark Robins' side missed a big opportunity to move closer to the play-off spots - they are now five points behind sixth-placed Norwich City.

Southampton appeared to have stumbled in a vital moment in their promotion chase, drawing with Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough and losing to Ipswich Town in a run of two wins in seven games.

Russell Martin's side found a much-needed victory, however, after a solid first-half showing.

Walker-Peters scored from outside the box with a fine finish before Adams struck with a typical poacher's goal.

Adams was perfectly placed as Harwood-Bellis' header found the Scotland international inside the six-yard area, after a cross from the right.

With the win, which extends a 16-year winning run over the Sky Blues, the Saints are now nine points off third-placed Ipswich, with a game in hand.

Southampton manager Russell Martin told BBC Radio Solent:

"I thought we played some great stuff, we played with real energy in the first half, and should have scored a few more.

"We had a 10-15 minute spell which led to us conceding a goal, when we weren't tidy enough with the ball, and we had a bit of anxiety after a tough few weeks.

"I was really proud of the players. It was a tough night against a good team, we knew it was going to be difficult. We had to show a different side to us at the end.

Southampton - Figure 2
Photo BBC News

"We needed that, we got over the line in the end. I was getting fed up with people questioning us and how together we are. I said I didn't want any questions on how much we run for each other, and I got that."

Coventry manager Mark Robins told BBC CWR:

"The first half killed us really, we didn't start well at all. Hitting the bar with the penalty just told the story of the first half, we got dragged around, we looked leggy.

"If we're aspiring to be a team operating at the top end of the division, we have to be better than that. You have to grind performances out, even against good opponents.

"We spoke at half-time, and the players decided it was going to be better. We won the second half, but it's no consolation because of what happened in the first half.

"We were much, much better then, we created one or two openings, and were far more positive, which meant we were in the game."

Line-ups
Southampton

Formation 4-3-3

31Bazunu14Bree21Harwood-Bellis5Stephens2Walker-Peters16SmallboneSubstituted forCharlesat 84'minutes4DownesBooked at 42mins7AriboSubstituted forS Armstrongat 83'minutes36BrooksSubstituted forFraserat 65'minutes10AdamsSubstituted forRothwellat 84'minutes9A ArmstrongSubstituted forMaraat 75'minutesSubstitutes13Lumley17S Armstrong18Mara19Rothwell20Sulemana23Edozie24Charles26Fraser35Bednarek
Coventry

Formation 4-2-3-1

40Collins22LatibeaudiereBooked at 3mins4Thomas15KitchingSubstituted forBinksat 81'minutes21BidwellSubstituted forDasilvaat 81'minutes14Sheaf28EcclesBooked at 40minsSubstituted forTorpat 72'minutes27van EwijkSubstituted forTavares Desidérioat 50'minutes10O'HareSubstituted forPalmerat 81'minutes11Wright9SimmsSubstitutes2Binks3Dasilva6Kelly13Wilson29Torp30Tavares Desidério41Lusala45Palmer54Andrews

Referee:James Linington

Attendance:28,564

Match Stats
Live Text

Match ends, Southampton 2, Coventry City 1.

Second Half ends, Southampton 2, Coventry City 1.

James Bree (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Bobby Thomas (Coventry City).

Gavin Bazunu (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Haji Wright (Coventry City).

Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Ryan Fraser.

Stuart Armstrong (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Bobby Thomas (Coventry City).

Foul by Joe Rothwell (Southampton).

Ben Sheaf (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution, Southampton. Shea Charles replaces Will Smallbone.

Substitution, Southampton. Joe Rothwell replaces Ché Adams.

Substitution, Southampton. Stuart Armstrong replaces Joe Aribo.

Attempt saved. Ellis Simms (Coventry City) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kasey Palmer.

Substitution, Coventry City. Luis Binks replaces Liam Kitching.

Substitution, Coventry City. Jay Dasilva replaces Jake Bidwell.

Substitution, Coventry City. Kasey Palmer replaces Callum O'Hare.

Flynn Downes (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Haji Wright (Coventry City).

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