Coventry boss Frank Lampard praises Tatsuhiro Sakamoto after beating Oxford
Coventry boss Frank Lampard praised match-winner Tatsuhiro Sakamoto for his superb far-post finish in the 3-2 victory over Oxford at…
Coventry City player ratings v Oxford as one Sky Blues star shines brightest
Coventry City player ratings from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner hands out the scores from the Kassam Stadium
Coventry City took the lead three times and missed a penalty as they had to work hard for the full three points at Oxford United – a result that lifted the club up to fifth place in the Championship table.
The Sky Blues got off to a flying start when Jack Rudoni threw himself at a seventh minute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto cross to head past goalkeeper Jamie Cumming and give the visitors the lead from what was only their second real attack at the Kassam Stadium.
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But despite a number of corners and free kicks in the opening 45, the visitors were unable to add to the advantage before the break and lost one of their biggest goal threats when Rudoni had to go off with a shoulder injury, replaced by Ben Sheaf. The Us’ biggest threat came down the right from winger Przemystaw Placheta but they didn’t manage a singe shot on target in he first half.
United, however, got themselves back on level terms in the 53rd minute when dangerman Placheta broke free down the right and pulled the ball back to Ole Romeny to slot home the equaliser from about 12 yards out, as City protested that there had been a foul in the build-up.
Ephron Mason-Clark then restored Coventry’s lead in the 58th minute when he nodded in a bouncing ball in front of the keeper but the home side were back on level terms again four minutes later when centre-half Elliott Moore headed home from a corner.
City then passed up the opportunity to go in front again in the 67th minute when Bobby Thomas was fouled in the box, leaving Ellis Simms to step up to take the resulting penalty. The keeper, however, dived the right way to make the save.
However, Sakamoto put Lampard’s men back in the lead in the 71st minute with a delightful finish in the box from a Jake Bidwell cross from the left to secure the points and lift City into the play-off places.
OLIVER DOVIN: 6
Patrolled his area well and quick to distribute it, whether with a pass or throw, and came out of his area to head clear on one occasion after reading the danger well. Didn’t have a save to make in the opening half. Made a really good save to deny Romeny in the second half. Exposed for the first equaliser.
MILAN VAN EWIJK: 6
Alert to danger and used his pace to good effect when mopping up and defending, and got forward well to link up effectively with Sakamoto.
Took an early blow to the face but recovered to continue and blocked well to deny Placheta pulling level in the 24th minute.
Defended well with plenty of aggression and winning his headers but was left fuming when he was held back by his shirt as Placheta got away down the left for U’s first equaliser.
Took his usual no-nonsense approach to defending and had a good battle with tricky wide man Placheta, albeit struggling to contain him at times. Hit the crossbar when he followed up Simms’ saved penalty. Provided the cross from Sakamoto to score.
