Coventry City vs West Bromwich Albion. Sky Bet Championship.
The Coventry Building Society ArenaAttendance23,755.
Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Coventry and West Brom at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Karlan Grant's first-half strike and a controversial Kyle McFadzean own goal were enough for West Brom to grab an important win on the road
Saturday 4 December 2021 17:31, UK
West Brom register their first away win since September with an important 2-1 victory over fellow promotion chasers Coventry.
Valerien Ismael's side ended their four game winless run thanks to first-half goals from Karlan Grant (20) and a controversial Kyle McFadzean own goal (43) which appeared to have been forced by a Cedric Kipre handball.
Coventry pulled a goal back through a thumping McFadzean header from a corner in the 83rd minute, but the hosts could not find an all-important equaliser and West Brom held on for a much-needed three points away from home.
The result sees Albion leapfrog QPR into third for now as they look to gain momentum heading into a busy festive schedule. Coventry, meanwhile, remain in sixth on 33 points.
After a high energy start with both sides keen to seize the initiative, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 20th minute.
Callum Robinson slid a fine pass into the path of Karlan Grant who coolly slotted past Simon Moore for West Brom's first away goal since he scored at Swansea City in October.
Coventry responded brightly to going a goal down and West Brom were fortunate not to concede an equaliser in the 37th minute when a cross fizzed in by Todd Kane deflected off Kyle Bartley and off the woodwork.
But it was West Brom who extended their lead before half-time in controversial circumstances. Darnell Furlong's low cross was turned in on goal by Kipre's outstretched arm and deflected off McFadzean into the net.
Coventry were on the front foot for the majority of a quiet second half with Ben Sheaf and Kane both firing shot narrowly wide.
And Mark Robins' side looked to have a route back into the match when McFadzean headed in from a corner late on, but the visitors saw out an important victory on the road.
In a game which witnessed 24 fouls, Gardner-Hickman broke up play excellently and was instrumental in West Brom controlling what was a physical midfield battle. He was also one of the team's driving forces when mounting counter-attacks.
Coventry's Mark Robins: "The story of it was they had a bit more quality and took their chances and we didn't take the chances that were either given or created ourselves. They were better than us in the first half and we looked tired and not switched on, which is the first time other than Luton.
"Quality was missing and we didn't have any structure to the team. Tactically it was wrong and when you give players with pace and quality that time and space, they're going to punish you.
"They were out of sight, they had more opportunities to take chances and didn't do it."
West Brom's Valerien Ismael: "It's all about our principles and what we need in that position.
"The profile for the 'six' position is that you need to have brains, intensity, to make a lot of distance and to make sure you have a quality ball in the transitions.
"Taylor gave us the confidence he could play that position and I think it was a massive difference to have a week to prepare for this game, to train 11 v 11 throughout the week, and this is why he made a great performance."
Coventry travel to face Huddersfield Town on Saturday, December 12 live on Sky Sports Football; kick-off 12:30pm. West Brom, meanwhile, host Reading at 3pm on the same day.
