Match Report: Coventry City 3 Boro 0

Goals in either half sent Boro to defeat at Coventry City.

Michael Carrick’s side had plenty of possession in the game and territorial advantage, but were unable to find the target against a spirited Coventry side, who completed their scoring in time added on.

Sammy Silvera and Isaiah Jones made their first Championship starts of the season and Chuba Akpom was pulled out of the squad after it was revealed pre-match that the club had received bids for the player.

Jones was involved early on when he pulled back for Hayden Hackney, whose shot was charged down by a Coventry defender.

Silvera also had a shot deflected into the arms of Ben Wilson as Boro started on the front foot.

Yet it was the home side who took the lead when Matty Godden seized upon a deflected shot to turn the ball home from close range.

The visitors almost snatched a second midway through the half. Seny Dieng saved well from Godden and Milan van Ewijk’s follow-up was wide of the mark.

When Boro threatened, Hayden Coulson had an effort deflected for a corner while Morgan Rogers sent a shot over the top from a tight angle.

Jones almost created an opportunity for Matt Crooks to slide home, but Wilson was brave in the Coventry goal and smothered the cross.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Hackney’s free-kick was deflected for a corner.

Rogers almost started the second half in some style when he embarked on a solo run from just inside the Boro half that ended with a shot wide of the mark.

Rogers was also involved with a delightful pass to Jones, but his tight-angled finish was into the side-netting.

And Boro had a great chance when Rogers squared for Silvera, but the Australian couldn’t keep his close-range shot down and it went over the bar.

Midway through the second half, Carrick introduced Jonny Howson and Marcus Forss in place of Dan Barlaser and Jones.

Forss almost made an immediate impact, turning a McNair cross towards keeper Wilson, who took two attempts to smother the ball.

But it was Coventry who doubled their advantage with 20 minutes remaining when Boro failed to deal with a corner and Haji Wright lashed the ball home.

Three changes soon followed for Boro with Rav van den Berg, Riley McGree, and Josh Coburn all coming on.

As the clock ticked past the 90-minute mark, Godden wrapped things up for the home side by scoring his second of the afternoon with a shot which took a wicked deflection to leave Dieng with no chance.