Match ends, Blackpool 0, Coventry City 1.
BlackpoolBlackpool0CoventryCoventry City1
Coventry City made it two wins from three Championship games this season as they edged victory over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
Viktor Gyokeres struck the only goal two minutes into first-half injury time with what initially looked a controversial strike.
Fankaty Dabo made a fast, menacing raid down the right, crossed to the far post and Gyokeres slid in to meet it.
The ball appeared at first sight to the 11,608 fans in the stadium to have gone in unwittingly off his outstretched right arm, but video replays showed it had actually hit his face.
Blackpool also claimed the Swedish striker was offside.
On a windy night on the Lancashire coast, it was a hard-fought contest in a game of six bookings, but few genuine chances.
But Mark Robins' side still had to negotiate six minutes of second-half injury time before they could confirm their first Championship away victory since winning at Stoke on 23 April.
Defeat leaves promoted Blackpool with just a point to show from their first three matches back at this level, having followed their opening-day 1-1 draw at Bristol City with Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Cardiff City.
The Sky Blues, also beaten on Saturday, 1-0 at Barnsley, now have six points as they built on their opening weekend 2-1 comeback win against Nottingham Forest on their return to Coventry.
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley:
"Having seen the goal back he is offside and it is after the time. He only put a minute up and it is after the 46 minutes so it is hard to take.
"I can't fault the players. We created a lot of chances but we didn't take them and if you don't take your chances you lose games of football.
"You can feel it on the side of the pitch. There is a big difference between League One and the Championship in the quality of the play, the physicality and the speed. You have to think quicker with and without the ball and you get tested all over the pitch."
Coventry City boss Mark Robins told BBC CWR:
"We had to be resilient second half. But we stuck to it and there were some great defensive performances. We've given them chances and Simon Moore has made two or three outstanding saves.
"But we had first-half chances. If we'd been three up nobody could have complained, apart from their fans, and then we got the goal on half-time which gave us something to build on.
"It should have been three points at Barnsley on Saturday but you have to be ruthless. So to come away and get the three points here is really important. We have to be pleased with where we are at two points-a-game at the minute."
Line-ups
Blackpool
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Maxwell
- 2ConnollyBooked at 59mins
- 26Keogh
- 3Husband
- 29Garbutt
- 11Bowler
- 5JamesSubstituted forDougallat 73'minutes
- 18Ward
- 10AndersonSubstituted forHamiltonat 81'minutes
- 9YatesSubstituted forJohn-Julesat 73'minutes
- 19LaveryBooked at 6mins
Substitutes
- 12Dougall
- 16Carey
- 20Casey
- 21Ekpiteta
- 22Hamilton
- 28John-Jules
- 32Grimshaw
Coventry
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Moore
- 15Hyam
- 5McFadzean
- 3Clarke-SalterBooked at 70minsSubstituted forRoseat 90+3'minutes
- 23Dabo
- 38Hamer
- 14Sheaf
- 18MaatsenBooked at 47minsSubstituted forDa Costaat 90+3'minutes
- 8AllenSubstituted forWaghornat 76'minutesBooked at 85mins
- 10O'HareBooked at 45mins
- 17Gyökeres
Substitutes
- 4Rose
- 7Jones
- 9Waghorn
- 13Wilson
- 24Godden
- 26Shipley
- 29Da Costa
- Referee:
- Keith Stroud
- Attendance:
- 11,608
Match Stats
Home TeamBlackpoolAway TeamCoventry
- Possession
- Home48%
- Away52%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away19
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away5
- Corners
- Home6
- Away11
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Blackpool 0, Coventry City 1.
Post update
Callum O'Hare (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by James Husband (Blackpool).
Post update
Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by CJ Hamilton.
Post update
Attempt missed. CJ Hamilton (Blackpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Callum Connolly with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Coventry City. Michael Rose replaces Jake Clarke-Salter.
Substitution
Substitution, Coventry City. Julien Da Costa replaces Ian Maatsen.
Post update
Offside, Coventry City. Callum O'Hare tries a through ball, but Viktor Gyökeres is caught offside.
Post update
Ian Maatsen (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Josh Bowler (Blackpool).
Post update
Foul by Martyn Waghorn (Coventry City).
Post update
Kenneth Dougall (Blackpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Martyn Waghorn (Coventry City) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Martyn Waghorn (Coventry City) has gone down, but the referee deems it simulation.
Post update
Attempt missed. Shayne Lavery (Blackpool) header from very close range is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Grant Ward with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Blackpool. CJ Hamilton replaces Keshi Anderson.
Post update
Attempt missed. Grant Ward (Blackpool) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Luke Garbutt.
Post update
Martyn Waghorn (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by James Husband (Blackpool).
Comments
Join the conversation
The law states it's a minimum amount of stoppage time, not a maximum.
But anyway, it's great to see Cov grab another three points, and away from home as well! It's a positive start to the season and hopefully we can build some momentum.
It is important we consolidate our position in the championship.
A great result.
Dare we dream???
Should of been a bit more comfortable.
Got to convert these chances.
Well played.
Everywhere..... Holding Hands,
Reaching ooooout,
Touching meeeee, touching yoouuuuuuuuuuuuuu,
SWEET COVENTRY! BAH, BAH, BAH,
GOOD TIMES NEVER FELT SO GOOD,
SO GOOD, SO GOOD, SO GOOD,
I'VE BEEN INCLINED, BAH, BAH, BAH,
TO BELIEVE THAT ROBINS COOUUULD #.....
It’s a bit spicy
It would be nice to build on solid form at the CBSA and pick up points here and there away
We haven't played against the ex PL teams yet where we will struggle but I will take a second season of consolidation in mid table
PUSB