Crewe Alexandra 0-5 Coventry City

Adam Armstrong celebrated the first of his matchwinning treble with team-mate James Maddison

Adam Armstrong claimed a first-half hat-trick and fellow Premier League loan striker Jacob Murphy scored twice as Coventry City demolished Crewe.

Despite boss Tony Mowbray's one-game touchline ban, City were 4-0 up by the break, set on their way when Armstrong cashed in on a Ben Nugent mistake.

Murphy then fired left-footed into the corner before Armstrong's penalty when Marcus Haber fouled Romain Vincelot.

Armstrong completed his treble on 45 minutes before Murphy rounded it off.

The Newcastle United loanee should have had a fourth soon after the restart, but prodded on-loan Norwich City man Murphy's cross wide from the edge of the six-yard box.

Coventry keeper Reice Charles-Cook was off his line quickly to deny James Jones a late consolation for bottom club Crewe, who are now six points adrift of safety.

Coventry remain fourth, still four points off top spot after only their second win in seven League One games.

Sky Blues boss Tony Mowbray told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire:

"We've won 5-0 away from home, so we've got no complaints. We feel as if we can play well against most teams. The work we've done this week has ultimately paid dividends for us. We functioned well.

"Adam Armstrong works extremely hard for us. We know what a talent he is. There are goals in his boots. The front four were almost unplayable.

"We did step off the gas in the second half, but no complaints. We kept a clean sheet and the keeper was back to top form when he needed to be."