The Sky Blues suffered defeat at the Coventry Building Society Arena this afternoon, as goals from Andre Gray and Albert Adomah claimed victory for QPR despite Jordan Shipley's long-range goal in the second half.
The Sky Blues got off to an impressive start when Ben Sheaf played a perfectly-weighted ball through to the onrushing Jamie Allen down the centre, however the midfielder’s shot was blasted into the path of David Marshall, who saved accordingly.
However, it was the visitors who struck first through Andre Gray, as the striker weaved his way into the left side of the penalty area before slotting the ball low into the far corner on six minutes.
An action-packed opening 10 minutes also saw Allen sting the palms of Marshall when Gyokeres cleverly used his strength before playing the ball into the path of Allen in the centre.
The Sky Blues supporters were off their seats on 12 minutes when a flurry of action saw Gyokeres force a point-blank double save from Marshall moments before Hamer’s deflected effort acted as further warning to the QPR defence.
O’Hare also attempted to add his name onto the scoresheet when his volley from the left edge of the penalty area looked to loop into the top left corner of the net, but Marshall was called into action and pushed the ball out for a corner, which ultimately was defended.
The visitors went close to doubling their advantage on 32 minutes when Albert Adomah narrowly missed his chance to connect with a header from Willock’s cross at the back post. A similar chance went begging for QPR ten minutes later when visiting captain Lee Wallace skied an effort well over the bar from within the penalty area. Following an end-to-end opening 45 minutes, it was Mark Warburton’s side who held the advantage.
Half-time: Sky Blues 0-1 QPR
It was a perfect start to the second half for the Sky Blues when the powerful strike of Jordan Shipley restored parity to the contest within the first five minutes of the restart; a perfectly-worked corner routine saw Todd Kane deliver a short corner to Shipley on the edge of the box, who made no mistake with his effort on goal.
Play was paused following the goal for a steward to receive medical attention after hitting their head, and we’re thankful to report that they are okay while receiving treatment in the stadium medical room.
Gyokeres went close to putting City into the lead when his strength to turn away from pressure opened up a gap to fire a shot on goal from inside the penalty area, however his effort flew narrowly wide of the post.
The Sky Blues went close again on 71 minutes when a well-worked counter attack culminated in a goal-mouth scramble with Gyokeres at the centre of the action, and City continued to exert pressure in the opposition half following the introduction of Jake Bidwell for his debut.
However, it was the visitors who restored their lead when Adomah headed home from Willock’s assist on 88 minutes. Shortly afterwards, the referee announced a further 16 minutes of additional time.
City fashioned an opportunity to level the scores once more on 99 minutes when some great work between substitute Jodi Jones and O’Hare down the right resulted in the ball being delivered to fellow second-half substitute Martyn Waghorn, whose shot was blocked on the line. Although, in the end it was Mark Warburton’s side who claimed the three points this afternoon.
Full-time: Sky Blues 1-2 QPR
Scorers: Andre Gray (6’), Jordan Shipley (50’), Albert Adomah (88')
Yellow cards: Rob Dickie (66’), Callum O’Hare (79’), Kyle McFadzean (105’)
Attendance: 20,942 (3,867 away)
Sky Blues XI: Simon Moore (GK), Todd Kane (Jodi Jones 90+7’), Dom Hyam, Kyle McFadzean (C), Jake Clarke-Salter, Jordan Shipley (Jake Bidwell 74’), Ben Sheaf, Gustavo Hamer, Jamie Allen (Martyn Waghorn 88’), Callum O'Hare, Viktor Gyökeres.
Unused subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Michael Rose, Liam Kelly, Josh Eccles.
QPR XI: David Marshall (GK), Lee Wallace ©, Rob Dickie, Yoann Barbet, Lyndon Dykes (Charlie Austin 80’), Sam Field, Andre Dozzell (Luke Amos 67’), Andre Gray (George Thomas 75’), Jimmy Dunne, Chris Willock, Albert Adomah.
Unused subs: Joe Walsh (GK), Jordy De Wijs, Dominic Ball, Moses Odubajo.