Coventry City 3-1 Rotherham United: Maxime Biamou inspires Sky Blues to victory
- Published
Maxime Biamou has scored two goals in his previous three appearances for Coventry
Maxime Biamou starred in his first Coventry City start for more than a month as he led a dominant Sky Blues side to a deserved victory over Rotherham United.
The French striker's sixth-minute opener set Coventry on their way before he helped tee up Tyler Walker for his side's second goal soon after.
The Millers, who were second to the Sky Blues in League One last season, had not lost an away game to Coventry in more than 18 years, but they almost fell further behind when Biamou hit the post with an overhead kick after half-an hour.
Victory was sealed when Leo Ostigard saw his back-post header from a free-kick go in off the leg of a defender before Dan Barlaser scored a late penalty for the Millers after Kyle Vassell was fouled by goalkeeper Ben Wilson
The win keeps Coventry in 19th place in the Championship, four points clear of Rotherham, who are one place below them and only outside the relegation spots on goal difference.
Biamou had not made Mark Robins' starting line-up since the 3-2 loss at Watford on 7 November but he made his mark early as Walker flicked a long ball on with his chest into the French striker's path and he slid the ball under the onrushing Jamal Blackman.
A free-kick from just inside the Millers' half saw Biamou help set up the second as he won the ball on the edge of the area and fed it to Callum O'Hare, whose low shot hit the post with Walker on hand to steer the ball into the empty net from a difficult angle.
Liam Kelly's cross with the outside of his right foot saw Biamou inches away from another goal as he hit the woodwork with an acrobatic effort while Blackman did well one-on-one to keep out Walker.
Rotherham's day got worse when Joe Mattock was taken off on a stretcher off in the final moments of the first half, and they found chances to break down a strong Coventry defence at a premium in the second period.
Biamou almost set up Walker for a third goal with 35 minutes to go, but the son of former England defender Des only got the edge of his boot on his low cross from the right and his effort went wide of the far post.
Ostigard did add a third goal to wrap up the home side's fourth league win of the season, with Barlaser getting the visitors on the scoresheet with five minutes remaining.
Coventry boss Mark Robins told BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire:
"It was a strong and tactically good performance, I thought we were brilliant. We defended behind the two strikers who led the line fantastically well.
"Their goalkeeper kept them in the game really, we were disappointed going in a the break with just two goals.
"The only downside is the penalty we gave away which they scored but I think they can be forgiven for that because of the amount of pressure Rotherham put on you.
"They are a good side, a really difficult side to play against and we stood up to it."
Rotherham boss Paul Warne told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"I'm disappointed, we came into this on the back of two good performances, played the same system and in fairness in every department they were superior to us.
"They got to the second balls quicker then we did and got to the first contacts in both boxes better than we did, they were more stronger and physical which I don't like to say about my team but today we weren't at the races.
"Their victory could have been even greater so, it's something we need to look at tomorrow as a group and the quickly adjust for Tuesday night."