Coventry City player ratings v Leeds United as Sky Blues come up short against the league leaders
Coventry City slipped to their first Championship defeat in five games as they were second best against league leaders Leeds United at the CBS Arena.
Leeds took the lead in the 17th minute when City lost possession in the middle of the park which allowed the visitors to break at speed with a through ball setting up Joel Piroe to get in behind and slot home with a hard and low finish into the far bottom corner.
Coventry then gifted the visitors a second when right-back Jayden Bogle ran from just past the halfway line, cut into the box and danced his way across goal before slotting home, aided by Oliver Dovin who spilled the ball when he had the chance to make the situation safe.
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Ellis Simms was denied by a good save as City attempted to mount a sustained fight-back in the second half when Dovin also pulled off an impressive reaction stop to prevent United extending their lead.
New signing Matt Grimes went on just after the hour to make his debut but as City continued to push for a goal, so they were vulnerable to the counter attack and relied on Dovin to make four saves to prevent the visitors racking up an embarrassing scoreline.
STARTING FORMATION: 3-5-2
OLIVER DOVIN: 7
Well beaten by a hard, low and precise finish from Piroe into the far bottom corner but should have done much better for the second when he spilled the ball as Bogle danced his way through in the box. Made a really good reaction save to deny Solomon getting a third for Leeds. Made another decent stop to deny Solomon on the break and stood up brilliantly well to deny Piroe a second after the visitors began to attempt to pick City off on the counter attack. Made another good stop with his foot to deny sub Ramazani. Kept the scoreline down on a night when Leeds could have had six!
JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE: 6
Mis-controlled an early pass out from the keeper to lose possession and invite pressure in the box but City managed to recover the situation. Came to the rescue just before the break when he read Dan James’ pass into the box and made a crucial block and clearance.
BOBBY THOMAS: 5.5
Took charge of the off-side trap which worked to decent effect most of the time but his passing out from the back was far too sloppy at times. Went close to scoring a consolation goal with a header that hit the underside of the bar from a corner.
LIAM KITCHING: 5.5
One of a number of players culpable for the second goal when City allowed Bogle to dance his way through. Got in plenty of blocks on other occasions
MILAN VAN EWIJK: 5
Used his pace to good effect to get back to defend and make important tackles and interceptions as he had a busy first half trying to contain wide man Manor Solomon.
VICTOR TORP: 5
Covered lots of ground in a really testing first half against the league leaders who were clinical in the way they picked City off. Less effective than he has been of late.
JAMIE ALLEN: 6
Busy and work-man-like, getting right in his opponents’ faces, pressing and trying to win back possession, while offering as much protection as he could to the back three against a really good side who were a cut above.
JACK RUDONI: 5.5/6
Positive in possession and never stopped running in a first half when he was forced into more of a defensive brief due to Leeds’ dominance on the ball. Came to life more after the break as City attempted a fight-back.
JAKE BIDWELL: 5.5/6
Did a hit and miss job keeping a close eye on wide man Daniel James but provided plenty of steel against a top side. Got forward to support attacks in a much improved second half from City, sending in a lovely delivery for Sakamoto and providing an opportunity for Simms.
BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE: 5
Worked hard but spent most of the first half out of possession, such was Leeds’ dominance of the ball. Replaced by Sakamoto at the break.
ELLIS SIMMS: 5.5/6
Made a sluggish start to the game when even his own striker partner Thomas-Asante appeared to have a go at him. Gave away possession from a big kick from Dovin when he poked the ball backwards which sparked Leeds’ counter attack for their first goal. Much better after the break when he held the ball up more and looked favourite to score with a well directed header, only for the keeper to dive low and make a save at the far post.
SUBSTITUTES:
TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO (HT, for Thomas-Asante): 5
Provided an extra man and legs in midfield and threw himself at full stretch in an attempt to connect with a Bidwell cross with his head.
MATT GRIMES (61 mins, for Allen): 5
The January signing earns warm applause on his debut when he brought a calm and measured presence. Excellent communication as he constantly talked and issued instructions.
JAY DASILVA (78 mins, for Bidwell):
JOSH ECCLES (78 mins, for Torp):
RAPHAEL BORGES RODRIGUES (84 mins, for Rudoni):
Subs (not used): Brad Collins (GK); Luis Binks, Norman Bassette, Jack Burroughs.
LEEDS UNITED (4-2-3-1): Illan Meslier; Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Junior Firpo; Ao Tanaka, Ilia Gruev; Daniel James, Brenden Aaronson, Manor Solomon; Joel Piroe.
Subs (not used): Karl Darlow (GK), Pascal Stuijk, Joe Rothwell, Largie Ramazani, Mateo Jospeh, Josuha Guilavogui, Sam Byram, Wilfried Gnonto, Maximilian Wober.
GOALS:
SKY BLUES:
LEEDS UNITED: Piroe (17), Bogle (26)
REFEREE: Dean Whitestone.
ATTENDANCE: 28,008 (2,996 away)
NEXT UP: Ipswich Town (h) FA Cup fourth round, Saturday, February 8 (3pm).
