Coventry City 3-1 Bristol City: Sky Blues claim important win in survival bid
- Published
Leo Ostigard celebrates his first goal in English football
Coventry City took a massive step towards Championship survival with a deserved win over out-of-sorts Bristol City.
The hosts took an early lead when Leo Ostigard finished after Bristol City failed to deal with a throw-in.
Matt Godden doubled the home side's lead with a powerfully struck penalty after Tomas Kalas was adjudged to have tripped Tyler Walker in the area, before Nahki Wells looked to have set up a nervy finish when he capitalised on Kyle McFadzean's under-hit backpass.
However, Walker latched on to a poorly directed pass from Robins substitute Tommy Rowe and Callum O'Hare unselfishly teed up Viktor Gyokeres to slot in a third.
The victory, coupled with Wycombe's win at Rotherham, moved the Sky Blues seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Nigel Pearson's difficult start at Ashton Gate has now seen him lose five and win just two of his first eight games in charge.
Coventry, who like the visitors made five changes after losing on Good Friday, were good value for the three points that ended their three-match winless run.
Godden came close to making it 2-0 when Daniel Bentley tipped his low effort on to the post, before home goalkeeper Marko Marosi made a wonderful reaction save to keep out Wells' effort at the other end in the first half.
The Sky Blues probably should have been comfortable after Godden's penalty but Wells ended their three-game run without a goal to leave the game in the balance going into the final 10 minutes.
That will have left Pearson especially unhappy with the nature of Coventry's third, as Rowe's sloppy pass back into midfield was intercepted by Walker and the hosts were able to easily work the ball to Gyokeres.
Mark Robins' men visit play-off chasing Bournemouth on Saturday, while the Robins, who are destined to finish in mid-table, host Nottingham Forest.
Coventry boss Mark Robins told BBC CWR:
"I think ultimately, from Friday to today it was chalk and cheese. They've come in today and worked their socks off for each other.
"The character was there and, for me today, that's what it was all about.
"The players had a conversation amongst themselves after Friday's game because they know that was nowhere near the levels we have set.
"The only downside for me was the goal we conceded but we didn't fold so there's a positive on the back of a negative."
Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol:
"It was a poor performance and a careless one too. We gave away soft goals and we didn't compete on a physical level.
"At the moment we have too many players who are not showing enough personal motivation. I'm a believer in protecting the players but I don't think it's necessary today.
"I'm not somebody to dwell on these things, we need to find solutions.
"Today's not good enough, full stop. We've got to make sure that when we take the field next time it's a performance that shows the right amount of character."