Match Report | Coventry City 1-2 Cardiff City
The Bluebirds finished their Easter weekend with three points, defeating Coventry City, 2-1, on Monday afternoon.
Ellis Simms gave the in-form Sky Blues the lead early on.
April 1st traditionally brings improbable scenarios to the forefront of people's minds, and it was the most unlikely double scorer for the Bluebirds at Coventry Building Society Arena. Liam Kitching, assisted on both occasions by Josh Bowler, accidentally hit the back of his own net in both halves.
Erol Bulut's Bluebirds faced plenty of pressure late on but defended superbly to take home the points.
The hosts, who are enjoying an impressive showing in the Championship and the Emirates FA Cup this campaign, will have surprised few with how they began this game, keeping the ball well, and showing danger signs following long passages of play but also on the counter when soaking up pressure.
The first goal came 22 minutes into the match. The Bluebirds had just seen their first attempt, a Nat Phillips header, saved, and the home side went up the other end and punished this missed chance in clinical fashion. Forward Ellis Simms, signed from Everton last summer, scored his 17th goal of the season in all competitions, adding the finishing touch to a Milan van Ewijk cross.
Erol Bulut's Bluebirds took the initiative despite falling behind and went on the attack. Karlan Grant's effort from 25-yards drifted just wide while Yakou Méïté saw a deflected shot fall fortunately for Sky Blues 'keeper Brad Collins.
The away side did find a leveller 29 minutes in though, but it came from a Coventry City man. Penalty box pinball ensued following Joe Ralls' corner kick. It looked as if Josh Bowler would be on hand to tap in at close range, reaching Perry Ng's flick on, but defender Liam Kitching reached it first and attempted clearing but only ended up lashing the ball into his own net.
The first half closed out end-to-end with both teams looking to gain an advantage.
Bowler nearly gave City the perfect restart, hitting a thunderbolt from 35-yards in the first minute of the half that drifted inches off target. The lively Grant had a clear cut chance seven minutes later, playing a one-two with Méïté and running in behind the Coventry City defence, but he curled wide of goal.
While there were suspicions of offside, no flag was up when van Ewijk poked towards goal with 62 minutes played, but thankfully, from a City perspective, the ball went just wide.
The Bluebirds took the lead for the first time six minutes later, and Bowler was involved again. Our on-loan Nottingham Forest man crossed from the right and the ball diverted off first Jake Bidwell, and then the head of defender Kitching, before nestling in the top corner of the net. Kitching, credited with his second own goal of the afternoon and giving City supporters flashbacks of Shane Duffy's similar situation against the Club from 2016.
The latter stages of the game saw Coventry City firmly take over the match as they pushed for a leveller while the Bluebirds battled hard to keep their advantage. Haji Wright did have the ball in the net with five minutes remaining, but the City backline superbly stepped up together at the right time to catch him offside.
City's defensive strengths showed late on to quell any Coventry City hopes, with the Bluebirds returning to South Wales with all three points.
FINAL SCORE: COVENTRY CITY 1-2 CARDIFF CITY
Coventry City: Collins, Latibeaudiere (Tavares Desidérioa 68'), Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell (Dasilva 75'), Eccles (Torp 68'), Sheaf, van Ewijk, Palmer (O'Hare 75'), Wright, Simms.
Subs Not Used: Wilson, Binks, Kelly, Lusala, Andrews.
Cardiff City: Horvath, Ng, Phillips, Goutas, Collins, Ralls (Ramsey 85'), Siopis, Turnbull (Wintle 76'), Bowler (Tanner 90+3'), Grant, Méïté (O'Dowda 85').
Subs Not Used: Turner, Romeo, Wilson-Esbrand, Sawyers, Robinson.