Daijiworld Media Network - Coventry
Coventry, Oct 13: Teenager Sidiki Cherif scored a goal and provided an assist as Coventry City continued their resurgence with a convincing 4-1 victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League on Monday, securing back-to-back wins.
The result marked a major turnaround for Coventry, who had lost their first four matches of the season before edging past Nottingham Forest in their final league fixture ahead of the international break. The victory also continued their return to top-flight football after 25 years away from the Premier League.
“It is so hard to win but we played like the team we want to be tonight,” Coventry coach Frank Lampard said. “A team where you look at them and see spirit and energy. We know we are going to have to suffer a lot in games this season but the work ethic of the boys and the belief mean you get what you deserve.”
Coventry took the lead just four minutes into the match after Cherif was brought down inside the penalty area. Jack Rudoni stepped up and converted the spot-kick to put the home side ahead.
Newcastle controlled much of the first half but struggled to create clear scoring opportunities. Coventry, however, were far more clinical after the break.
Cherif doubled the lead three minutes into the second half with a low strike from the edge of the penalty area. Newcastle defender Sven Botman gave the visitors hope by scoring a stunning goal in the 70th minute, but Ellis Simms restored Coventry’s two-goal advantage with nine minutes remaining.
Eighteen-year-old centre-back Stephen Mfuni, on loan from Manchester City, capped the memorable night by scoring his first professional goal in the 86th minute to complete the 4-1 victory.
The win lifted Lampard’s side to 14th place in the standings, while Newcastle remained three places higher, with a two-point advantage.
Newcastle coach Matthias Jaissle acknowledged that his side needed to address its defensive shortcomings after suffering a second consecutive 4-1 away defeat, following a similar loss to Leeds United a month earlier.
“Back-to-back 4-1 defeats away are things we need to avoid in the future,” Jaissle said.
“We are frustrated. It is a feeling you don’t want to have after a match where you should win. We apologise to the fans that made the journey. They deserved a better result.”