Goals either side of the break from Ellis Simms and Brandon Thomas-Asante put Coventry City on course for only their third Championship victory on the road this season as they beat fifth placed Blackburn Rovers.

Simms nodded home City’s first effort on target to give the visitors the 41st minute lead at Ewood Park where they had struggled to test goalkeeper Balazs Toth.

Oliver Dovin, meanwhile, proved the difference between the two sides at the other end where he made two really good saves to keep the Sky Blues in contention in the opening half.

Coventry then doubled their lead in the third minute into the second half following an outstanding five man move which all started when Liam Kitching drove upfield and laid the ball off to Victor Torp who hit a sublime first time pass out to Milan van Ewijk. The wing-back then hit a deep cross to Jack Rudoni who controlled the ball and sent in a square pass to the six yard box where Thomas-Asante slid in to poke over the line.

Dovin made another good save just after the hour to prevent Rovers reducing the deficit amid an attempted fight-back from the home side but the Sky Blues kept plugging away looking for a third and saw out the full three points.

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STARTING FORMATION: 3-5-2/3-4-1-2

OLIVER DOVIN: 8.5

Made a really good save to deny Gueye in the tenth minute when he tipped the striker’s header over the bar and commanded his area well. Punched clear and then pulled off a brilliant reaction save to deny a Danny Batth header midway through the first half. Kept City in the game in the first half! Make another decent save in the 66th minute to deny Gueye pulling one back for the home side and ensuring another clean sheet.

JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE: 7

Solid and alert to danger in the first half when he defended really well to keep Rovers largely at arms length. Continued to defend well in the second half amid mounting pressure from the home side.

LUIS BINKS: 6.5/7

Forced to tidy up quickly after Dovin saved to deny Batth’s header and read the game well, organising the defence from the heart of the back three in a relatively dull first half at Ewood Park.

LIAM KITCHING: 7

Defended really well in the first half and sparked City’s second goal when he drove forward over the halfway line and laid off a pass to Torp. Continues to impress and cement his place back in the side.

MILAN VAN EWIJK: 7

Had his work cut out trying to contain the marauding left-back Owen Beck in the early stages of the match. Got up and down well and a decent outlet going forward down the right. Had a hand in the second goal and continued to be a real threat going forwards and cutting into the box.

JAMIE ALLEN: 7

Continued to impress with his non-stop running and getting a foot in, while making good use of the ball by releasing it quickly when he had it. Another accomplished and mature display from the experienced midfielder who is really coming into his own and showing his worth. Played some lovely one-touch passes.

VICTOR TORP: 6.5

Protected the ball well in possession and worked hard out of possession alongside the hard-working Allen. Hit a sublime first time pass as part of the free-flowing move for City’s second goal.

JAKE BIDWELL: 6.5

Involved in an early off-the ball scrap with Dolan who proved to be a tricky outlet for Rovers down the right flank early on but got the measure of the wide man who was eventually subbed off. Defended well overall.

JACK RUDONI: 7

Worked hard and put himself about all over the pitch, trying to spark attacks. Sent in the squad pass for BTA to score City’s second. Lively throughout and a decent contribution overall, particularly in a far more entertaining second half.

BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE: 7

Busy and lively in the final third but nothing to show for it in a frustrating first 45. Scored City’s second when he poked home in the six yard box just three minutes into the re-start after a brilliant five-man move. Two in two for the striker who is hitting form and nice to score against the team who have been trying to sign him this month.

ELLIS SIMMS: 7

Put himself about up top and covered plenty of ground but couldn’t find a way through for a single chance until the 41st minute when he nodded home at the far post from a Torp assist. Strong on the ball and held it up well at times. Could have had a second but headed straight at the keeper.

SUBSTITUTES:

BOBBY THOMAS (58 mins, for Binks): 6.5

Slotted in at the heart of the back three where he defended well, alert to danger as Rovers attempted a fight-back. Played his part in seeing out the victory.

TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO (69 mins, for Torp): 6.5

Lively contribution, adding energy and a fresh attacking threat when City had their two goal cushion.

JOSH ECCLES (69 mins, for Thomas-Asante): 6

Got straight into the pace of the game to help City see the result out.

NORMAN BASSETTE (85 mins, for Simms):

Added fresh legs and a fresh threat as City managed the final minutes of the match.

Subs (not used): Brad Collins (GK); Jay Dasilva, Raphael Borges Rodrigues, Fabio Tavares, Gregory Sandiford Junior.

BLACKBURN ROVERS (4-2-3-1): Balazs Toth; Callum Brittain, Dom Hyam, Danny Batth, Owen Beck; Joe Rankin-Costello, John Buckley; Tyrhys Dolan, Todd Cantwell, Ryan Hedges; Makhtar Gueye.

Subs (not used): Joe Hilton (GK), Andi Weimann, Harry Leonard, Adam Forshaw, Dion Sanderson, Amario Cozier-Duberry, James Edmondson, Matty Litherland, Harley O’Grady-Macken.

GOALS:

ROVERS:

SKY BLUES: Simms (41), Thomas-Asante (48)

REFEREE: Oliver Langford.

ATTENDANCE: 12,819 (981 away)

NEXT UP: Watford (h) Saturday, January 25 (3pm).

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