Cherif of Coventry makes his mark
- Published
Frank Lampard handed a first Premier League start to Sidiki Cherif against Newcastle United on Monday, after his summer move from Fenerbahce, and the teenager repaid the faith.
"We've got a lot of belief in Sidi, a big signing for the club," said Lampard, after inflicting a second successive 4-1 away defeat for the Magpies.
"He's very respectful but there's a hunger that flicks on when he goes on to the training pitch and in game. I felt it from our first meeting and I've seen it in training - he wants to train and do well.
"Sometimes you don't realise he's 19. He'll be disappointed with the one he missed and I've said to him it's no problem because that's good. You get there, you get hungry, you go again. He's got that little edge to him in a good way."
At 19 years and 301 days old, Cherif became Coventry's youngest Premier League goalscorer since Robbie Keane against Middlesbrough in April 2000 (19 years 282 days), before Stephen Mfuni, at 18, then became the club's youngest-ever scorer in the competition.
He is also the first player to score a Premier League goal from outside the box for the Sky Blues since David Thompson struck against Newcastle in January 2001.
His crisp finish, through a forest of defenders, was a first in his fourth appearance for Coventry, having already won the early penalty.
Coventry scored 97 goals as they won the Championship last season and the ruthless nature of their finishing was a reminder of their striking power.
With Hadji Wright still out with a serious thigh injury, much of the goalscoring burden will fall on £20m Cherif, who was not even born the last time Coventry were in the Premier League.
Lampard said: "Sidi has played in European competition with Fenerbahce, so there is something about him that hopefully feels like he belongs on the level.
"There's something about him I think is a bit special."
