Swansea City 0-0 Coventry City: Sky Blues held in entertaining goalless draw

Coventry striker Viktor Gyokeres turns away from his one-time Swansea team-mate Ben CabangoImage source, Huw Evans picture agency
Image caption,

Coventry striker Viktor Gyokeres turns away from his one-time Swansea team-mate Ben Cabango

Coventry City edged a point closer to the Championship play-off places thanks to a goalless draw at Swansea City.

Coventry came closest to finding a winner, with Gustavo Hamer and Matty Godden both denied by Swansea goalkeeper Andy Fisher.

Mark Robins' team slip to ninth in the table, though they have cut the gap to sixth place to three points.

Swansea, whose best chance was wasted by Harry Darling, stay 15th having made it three games unbeaten.

Coventry had suffered a first defeat in 10 matches last time out, losing heavily at home to Stoke, and their attempt to respond almost got off to a desperate start when Darling headed into the side-netting early on.

Ben Cabango, the hero of Swansea's memorable derby win over Cardiff City last weekend, then forced a save from Ben Wilson, while Joel Piroe drilled a shot wide.

But while Swansea controlled possession, it was Coventry who had the best chances of the first period.

A short corner routine saw Viktor Gyokeres pick out the unmarked Callum Doyle, but he shot too close to Fisher.

Swansea then needed their keeper to come off his line to make a fine save to deny Hamer, who had been presented with a golden chance by Ryan Manning's loose pass.

Coventry really ought to have taken advantage of Manning's error.

Their failure to do so should have been punished straight after the break when Manning crossed for Liam Walsh and his volley was parried by Wilson.

The rebound fell invitingly for Darling but, with the goal at his mercy, he could only lift over the bar.

Coventry came again, with Hamer denied at the near post by Fisher before Ben Sheaf dragged wide.

Sheaf's long ball then opened Swansea up, as the stretching Nathan Wood headed the ball into the path of Godden.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Swansea's Harry Darling stretches to head towards goal

Once more Fisher saved Swansea, coming off his line to deny Godden just as Coventry's fans rose in expectation behind the goal.

The chances kept coming at both ends, with Olivier Ntcham forcing Wilson to tip the ball over the bar before Doyle drilled a yard wide at the other end.

Piroe had the last sight of goal, as he made room for a shot but could not beat Wilson with the angle tight.

With that the Championship stadium which had witnessed the most goals this season before this game had its first stalemate of the campaign.

Swansea head coach Russell Martin:

"I thought it was a really good game, I thought it was two good teams. They have two really good chances in the game. One we gifted to them with Hamer in the first half and then in the second half Godden, Fish (Andy Fisher) makes two brilliant saves.

"I'm really pleased for Fish today, the courage he showed and the clean sheet for him and the team.

"We created some really excellent chances. The lads are really frustrated we haven't won the game which I'm pleased about.

"It's a big turnaround in the last three games, it's seven points, two clean sheets and three really good performances that look like us."

Coventry manager Mark Robins:

"It's a decent point. We have got to take that if we can't take the chances we had.

"Swansea are a brilliant team - I think they are really good. They play in a way that is clever and they have got some top technical players.

"Tactically we got everything right. It's a real good performance out of possession.

"We have kept a clean sheet and we have picked up a point. We are three points away [from the top six]. We are still in with a shout of gatecrashing something and making it a really special season."

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