Match ends, Sheffield United 1, Coventry City 0.
Sheff UtdSheffield United1CoventryCoventry City0
Coventry lost ground on League One leaders Burton after Billy Sharp sealed victory for Sheffield United.
Blades keeper George Long twice saved well from Adam Armstrong and made a flying stop from a Ruben Lameiras shot.
John Fleck also failed to connect with an Armstrong pass and when Long spilled a cross it was adjudged not to have gone over the line.
Substitute Sharp headed home a Paul Coutts corner from close range before Sam Ricketts was sent off late on.
Sheffield United manager Nigel Adkins:
"We played against a very good footballing side and we had a game-plan. The lads worked very hard and we were solid, resolute and committed, which is great to see.
"The players were disciplined and organised. We want to be competitive and there is a resilience about the players.
"We want to be attack-minded, especially at home, but we've been punished before when teams have caught us on the counter-attack so we need to be nice and solid. We want to have that platform of being hard to beat and keep clean sheets."
Coventry manager Tony Mowbray:
"You've got to take your opportunities when they come along. It wasn't a game with lots of chances.
"The boys were saying in the dressing room that the ball was definitely over the line (Murphy shot). Joe Cole span away celebrating when he probably could have put it in himself.
"The referee had a difficult day. He got some right and he got some wrong so we have to accept that.
"The nature of the goal we conceded was frustrating. It's always disappointing and frustrating to concede a goal from a corner-kick. Reice has decided to come for the ball and missed it. It happens and I'm not sure whether the boy who scored knew much about it.
"Credit to them because I thought they set up well and defended well. We have to take it on the chin and move on to the next one."
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 25Long
- 5Brayford
- 34EdgarBooked at 56mins
- 15Collins
- 19McEveleyBooked at 23mins
- 8Coutts
- 35HammondBooked at 42mins
- 6Basham
- 17WoolfordSubstituted forScougallat 55'minutes
- 14DoneSubstituted forFlynnat 84'minutes
- 18SammonSubstituted forSharpat 65'minutesBooked at 84mins
Substitutes
- 1Howard
- 7Flynn
- 10Sharp
- 16Scougall
- 22Reed
- 30Wallace
- 32McGahey
Coventry
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 23Charles-Cook
- 18RickettsBooked at 90mins
- 21Martin
- 15TurnerBooked at 45mins
- 3Stokes
- 11O'BrienSubstituted forColeat 61'minutes
- 4VincelotSubstituted forFortunéat 81'minutes
- 7FleckBooked at 89mins
- 25Murphy
- 8LameirasSubstituted forKentat 70'minutes
- 9A Armstrong
Substitutes
- 1Burge
- 14Cole
- 20Tudgay
- 26Haynes
- 30Kelly-Evans
- 32Fortuné
- 40Kent
- Referee:
- Iain Williamson
- Attendance:
- 18,074
Match Stats
Home TeamSheff UtdAway TeamCoventry
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away3
- Corners
- Home6
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home22
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 1, Coventry City 0.
Post update
Attempt saved. Ryan Flynn (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Sam Ricketts (Coventry City) for a bad foul.
Post update
Chris Basham (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Sam Ricketts (Coventry City).
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Foul by Paul Coutts (Sheffield United).
Post update
Chris Stokes (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Paul Coutts (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Chris Stokes (Coventry City).
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Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Chris Stokes.
Booking
John Fleck (Coventry City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Stefan Scougall (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by John Fleck (Coventry City).
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Attempt missed. Billy Sharp (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses the top left corner.
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Attempt missed. Ryan Kent (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. Ryan Flynn replaces Matt Done.
Booking
Billy Sharp (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Matt Done (Sheffield United).
Post update
John Fleck (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
