Nathan Delfouneso has given Coventry City a half time lead against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane
Nathan Delfouneso has given Coventry City a 1-0 lead against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Delfouneso netted his second goal for the club as the Sky Blues look for their first away win since Crewe in March.
Steven Pressley named an unchanged side from last week’s draw with Wolves, and the Sky Blues kept the ball well when in possession in the opening 20 minutes. Conor Thomas was booked for a late challenge on Stefan Scougall after 21 minutes, and shortly after Callum Wilson nearly nicked the ball off United goalkeeper Mark Howard, but the ‘keeper cleared in the nick of time as the striker was closing to robbing the ball from him in the penalty area.
The Blades created the first clear chance, when Michael Doyle’s header from Jose Baxter’s cross was saved comfortably by Joe Murphy.
But the opener came on 39 minutes when John Fleck surged through the Blades midfield and played in Delfouneso who shrugged off two challenges to calmly finish past the onrushing Howard.
Wilson could’ve doubled City’s advantage when he beat Harry Maguire and lashed an effort straight at the ‘keeper from just inside the area. Fleck, who was instrumental in City’s opener was booked just before the half-time whistle after a mistimed tackle on Jamie Murphy, as City go into the break in the lead.
Teams
Coventry City: Murphy (c), Christie, Webster, Willis, Clarke, Fleck, Thomas, Prutton, Marshall, Wilson, Delfouneso
Subs: Burge (GK), Adams, Baker, Eccleston, McGeouch, Seaborne, Finch
Sheffield United: Howard, Brayford, Maguire, Flynn, Doyle (c), Baxter, Collins, Coady, Scougall, Murphy, Freeman
Subs: Long (GK), Hill, Porter, McGinn, Paynter, Davies, Dimalo