Match ends, Coventry City 1, Southend United 0.
Jordy Hiwula's second-half strike gave Coventry their first back-to-back League One wins since October as they beat Southend to end the year on a high.
The Sky Blues upped the intensity in the second period and were rewarded for their efforts as Hiwula grabbed his fifth goal of the season.
Coventry had a penalty appeal waved away by referee Kevin Johnson six minutes in as Conor Chaplin's strike looked to have hit the hand of Southend full-back Elvis Bwomono.
Brave defending from Jordan Willis prevented John White from giving Southend the lead 20 minutes in, as the Sky Blues defender did enough to ensure White could not get his header on target.
A well-worked free-kick routine found Chaplin unmarked at the back post, but the striker sent his volley into the stands.
Coventry started the second half brilliantly and their patient build-up play sliced open the Southend defence as Tom Bayliss slipped Hiwula through on goal and the forward made no mistake as he calmly slotted past Nathan Bishop.
Match report supplied by the Press Association
Line-ups
Coventry
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Burge
- 17Sterling
- 4Willis
- 15Hyam
- 3MasonSubstituted forMcCallumat 82'minutes
- 20Bayliss
- 6Kelly
- 26ShipleySubstituted forClarke-Harrisat 62'minutes
- 25WestbrookeSubstituted forDoyleat 82'minutes
- 10ChaplinBooked at 90mins
- 11Hiwula-Mayifuila
Substitutes
- 2Grimmer
- 5Davies
- 8Doyle
- 18Clarke-Harris
- 22Andreu
- 33Addai
- 41McCallum
Southend
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Bishop
- 2Bwomono
- 23Moore
- 48White
- 32HendrieSubstituted forBunnat 83'minutes
- 16YearwoodSubstituted forHutchinsonat 73'minutes
- 8DiengBooked at 50mins
- 18Mantom
- 7KightlyBooked at 48minsSubstituted forMcLaughlinat 73'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 31Robinson
- 10Cox
Substitutes
- 6Turner
- 11McLaughlin
- 22Smith
- 28McCoulsky
- 30Bunn
- 36Hutchinson
- 37Clifford
- Referee:
- Kevin Johnson
- Attendance:
- 11,395
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away1
- Corners
- Home4
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Coventry City 1, Southend United 0.
Post update
Attempt saved. Harry Bunn (Southend United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Booking
Conor Chaplin (Coventry City) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Stephen McLaughlin (Southend United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Tom Bayliss (Coventry City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Stephen McLaughlin (Southend United).
Post update
(Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Theo Robinson (Southend United).
Post update
Corner, Southend United. Conceded by Dujon Sterling.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Stephen McLaughlin (Southend United) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked.
Post update
Corner, Southend United. Conceded by Liam Kelly.
Post update
Corner, Southend United. Conceded by Tom Bayliss.
Post update
Foul by Jonson Clarke-Harris (Coventry City).
Post update
Elvis Bwomono (Southend United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Elvis Bwomono.
Post update
Foul by Liam Kelly (Coventry City).
Post update
Sam Mantom (Southend United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Delay in match Liam Kelly (Coventry City) because of an injury.
Substitution
Substitution, Southend United. Harry Bunn replaces Stephen Hendrie.