Coventry City 1-2 West Bromwich
West Bromwich Albion struck two first-half goals as they ended a worrying winless four-game run with victory over Coventry City.
On a day when the home fans, in a season’s second best crowd of 23,755, were there to commemorate former Sky Blues boss John Sillett, Albion spoiled the wake.
In five visits now to this stadium, they have not lost – and Albion’s latest win was enough to lift them back up to third, ahead of QPR’s home game with Stoke City on Sunday.
Albion were ahead on 20 minutes with their first goal since 6 November, having failed to score in their previous three games.
Callum Robinson’s slick slide-rule right-foot pass opened up the Sky Blues defence with worrying ease – and Karlan Grant ran to drill a low right-foot shot past Simon Moore.
If that was a nice move, the second two minutes before half-time was a video nasty for City.
Darnell Furlong’s dangerous low right-foot cross flicked up off the covering Matt Godden, hit Cedric Kipre in the arm and deflected over the line off defender Kyle McFadzean.
Luckless home skipper McFadzean made amends seven minutes from time when his bullet header from Todd Kane’s left-wing corner pulled one back.
But, although City are kings of the injury-time goal this season, Mark Robins’ men did not have the final word this time.
Coventry at least found the back of the net against Albion for the first time in five home meetings since moving to the stadium formerly known as the Ricoh Arena – and now called the Coventry Building Society – in 2005.
It was the Sky Blues’ first home goal against the Baggies since an 89th minute winner for on-loan Spurs winger Johnnie Jackson in a 1-0 victory at Highfield Road in December 2003.
But, after making their home such a fortress in early season following their summer return to Coventry, they have now won just once in their last five home games.
And, since beating Fulham 4-1 here two months ago, they have won just twice and picked up just 11 points out of a possible 30.
