West Brom nearly in for a second but Ian Maatsen gets a key block on Darnell Furlong's deflected effort.

Albion well on top just now.

Image source, Rex Features

That Karlan Grant goal is Albion's first strike away from home since 20 October.

How they needed that!

What have Coventry got in reply?

Tony Brown
Former West Brom striker on BBC Radio WM

I wanted to see Karlan Grant get more involved in the game and he has done just that. That is a real striker's finish and the fans have gone berserk.

You have to admire the finish because a one-on-one is nervewracking and he has finished it with aplomb.

Rinse and repeat.

Albion do well to work the ball to Callum Robinson on the left edge of the Coventry area but he overhits his cross/shot and the danger passes.

Image source, Getty Images

That's a waste.

West Brom forward Callum Robinson shows lovely feet on the edge of the area to create a yard for a cross but hits it over everyone.

Coventry play their way up the field with some brave passing in their own third but can't quite find the key pass at the end to break behind the Albion defence.

Nice play all the same.

Key tackle from West Brom defender Kyle Bartley.

Some lovely interplay between Gustavo Hamer and Callum O'Hare opened it up for Hamer but Bartley slid in to halt the attack as Hamer looked to shoot.

Both sets of fans are on their feet to pay tribute to the life of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes who died at the age of six in June last year.

On Friday Arthur's stepmother and his father were sentenced for his death.

Emma Tustin, 32, was jailed for 29 years for torturing and murdering Arthur at her home in Solihull in 2020.

Arthur's father, Thomas Hughes, received a 21-year-sentence for his son's manslaughter.

There will also be a minute's applause in the sixth minute of the games involving Birmingham, who Arthur supported, Walsall, Aston Villa and many other clubs around the country this weekend.

CHANCE.

Callum O'Hare's low ball is into Matt Godden's path but the Coventry striker can't make a decent contact.

Matt Clarke lucky to get away without a booking as he chops Viktor Gyokeres down as the hosts break.

The free-kick is poor.

Nice open start to this one as Grady Diangana wins an attacking free-kick for the visitors.

Alex Mowatt swings it in but it's headed away by the man at the near post and the hosts eventually clear after Albion recycle it.

Clive Eakin
BBC CWR Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Not only was John Sillett one of Coventry's most successful managers, leading them to their only major trophy and their second highest top flight position (7th) he was also a loved personality.

"Man of the people" and "larger than life" have been the most used expressions in the countless tributes paid on BBC CWR.

Sillett remained enthusiastic about Coventry City right up to the end. Mark Robins, who last met him just a couple of weeks ago, described his predecessor as "incredibly supportive".

The fans have given Snoz a heartfelt send off this afternoon and they'll hope the current team can continue the tribute with their performance on the pitch.

After an emotional minute's applause for legendary Coventry boss John Sillett, who died at the age of 85 this week, we are under way in front of a vociferous crowd.

Hopefully the game can match up to the fantastic atmosphere.

Rob Gurney
BBC Radio WM Sport

Image source, PA Media

Valerien Ismael gave a staunch defence of himself and his beliefs on how the game should be played when I interviewed him ahead of this game, and is equally insistent that his squad have the capabilities, and perhaps more importantly, the faith in themselves to turn their faltering season around.

Granted, you’d hardly expect him to say anything different to that, particularly in public, but he’ll know the current numbers don’t make good reading, whether you’re a disciple of 'Val-Ball' or not.

After a club record-breaking start to the season of 10 games unbeaten and 22 points, the Baggies have taken only 12 points from the last 10, scored seven goals during that period, three of which were in one game against Bristol City, and have garnered just one point – from a 0-0 draw at Blackpool last time out – from a possible 15 on their travels.

And yet, 4,500 fans are making their way across the West Midlands, hoping that today is the day when things start to turn again.

It’ll be an emotionally-charged occasion for sure following John Sillett’s passing earlier this week, which will be a huge psychological test for Ismael’s players to deal with.

He’s used the “Enough is enough, let’s get the reward for the fans” mantra again.

Time to stand up and be counted, methinks.

Clive Eakin
BBC CWR Sport

Image source, Rex Features

This is the sort of fixture where Coventry City fans are turning up with a sense of expectation rather than a feeling of dread that they may have had in past seasons.

Such have been the performances in this campaign and the rise in recent years that supporters are no longer turning up out of a sense of duty but arriving with genuine hope of a great afternoon.

And they know not to leave early. Coventry have claimed eight points in the last 10 minutes of games so far this season.

Coventry City make three changes from the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth last time out, with Gustavo Hamer, Michael Rose and Viktor Gyokeres all returning to the XI.West Brom bring Taylor Gardner-Hickman into midfield to replace the suspended Jayson Molumby.

Former Coventry City manager John Sillett, who guided the club to FA Cup victory in 1987, died earlier this week aged 85.

Sillett managed the Sky Blues between 1986-90 and was at the helm when the club beat Tottenham 3-2 in the final at Wembley for their first, and so far only, major trophy.

There will be a minute's applause before the game in recognition of his achievements with the club.

Image source, Rex Features

Fourth in the table at this stage of the campaign would be pretty acceptable for basically every team in the second tier... Except maybe the team currently sitting in that position.

Promotion hopefuls West Brom go into today's derby at Coventry City without a win in four and nine points off the top two.

This poor run of form has left some fans wondering if summer appointment Valerien Ismael is the right man to lead the Baggies back to the Premier League.

In the opposite corner today are a set of fans who could scarcely be MORE sure that they have the right man in charge.

Mark Robins has led the club from League Two to sixth in the Championship and victory today will see them leapfrog the visitors to go fourth.

Good afternoon and welcome to Saturday's EFL live text, starting with Coventry City v West Brom.