Sky Blues fail to build on successive victoriespublished at 23:15 BST 19 October
23:15 BST 19 October
Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Frank Lampard's Coventry City came into the match against Tottenham in confident mood after they had defeated Nottingham Forest and played superbly to beat Newcastle 4-1 at home a week ago.
Brandon Thomas-Asante got into a good position inside the opening 20 seconds, but his dangerous cross was cut out by home goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto had an effort deflected over by Jan Paul van Hecke and only a superb sliding challenge from Micky van de Ven denied Thomas-Asante a shooting chance.
Jack Rudoni, who also scored in the win over Newcastle, got a goal back but that proved to be Coventry's only shot on target.
After quickly conceding again, the visitors had plenty of possession, but Lampard will be disappointed they could not test Kinsky again and never really looked like scoring an equaliser.
Coventry drop to 17th, and have two vital home games this month against sides below them - Fulham on Saturday and Sunderland seven days later.
Tottenham 3-1 Coventry: What Lampard and Rudoni saidpublished at 22:43 BST 19 October
22:43 BST 19 October
Media caption,
Coventry City boss Frank Lampard, spoke to BBC Sport after his side's defeat by Tottenham: "Very pleased with the performance. We were in the game to say the least. Two outstanding goals for them, the second was questionable because the arm up in the face but quality finish.
"I am proud of the performance. 3-1 feels nasty at the end because of the last goal. We created some good moments. We wanted to start well as they start well in every game they have played here but haven't got what they deserved.
"The feeling and flow of the game we were brave and getting people up on their top line. Individuals were showing their quality with [Jack] Rudoni and [Brandon] Thomas-Asante - eight of the boys played in the Championship last year and now they have shown they have grown.
"I don't like the fixture list game, they are all hard. Are we happy? We will always want more, we feel there's a couple more points we felt we could have had."
Coventry goalscorer Jack Rudoni, spoke to Sky Sports: "Yeah it's frustrating, we felt we did well as a team. We took the game plan to them well. At the end it really could've been 2-2. We've got to take the positives. We have a big game on Saturday so we'll just look at the positives and get ready for that."
On Coventry producing shot on target: "Maybe the clinical edge and sometimes stuff just doesn't fall for you and that's football. All we can do is keep applying the pressure and working hard in the right areas and stuff. We're away from home. They're a good team. They're league position probably doesn't reflect where they are.
"Maybe we dropped a little bit deep, I don't know. It's frustrating to concede after we got the equaliser. It was tough. You just have to work hard to keep solid and get a second. But like I said they have quality, we have to nullify that as much as we can. I thought we applied pressure well and on another night it's 2-2 and we come away with a point."
On the next few games: "I think we've shown we can compete and like you say it's the little differences like shots on target. We've shown we can compete we just needs to get points on the board. We need to really get points on the board."
Did you know?
Rudoni became the first player to score in back-to-back Premier League appearances for Coventry since John Hartson netted in four consecutive games between March and April 2001.
Tottenham v Coventry City: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:41 BST 18 October
13:41 BST 18 October
Paul Birch BBC Sport journalist
Tottenham go in search of a first league win of the season against a Coventry City side who have roared into form with back-to-back victories. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes going into Monday's fixture.
Can Tottenham banish home woes to record a first victory?
In the wake of their draw with Manchester United, Tottenham headed to Marbella for a few days of warm weather training and, more importantly, squad bonding. "The target is to build the team," head coach Roberto de Zerbi explained. "We are a great group of players, but we are not a team yet."
His side certainly looked like more of a cohesive unit at Old Trafford, but their slick approach play was squandered by yet more profligacy in front of goal as their winless start stretched to six league matches.
Only two top-flight sides have completed more passes in the final third than Spurs' 770 and just three teams have had more touches in the opposition box than their 182. Yet a shot conversion rate of 3.6% is the worst in the league and De Zerbi's side have underperformed their xG by 3.6 goals.
Three goals after six league matches is the second lowest tally in their history, beaten only by the two scored at the start of 2006-07.
They are still yet to lead in a league match this season or score a goal before the 86th minute.
One thing they still cannot count on is home comforts. They have managed a paltry five wins in their past 36 league matches at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, dating back to November 2024.
Moreover, they have fallen behind in a remarkable 52 of their 79 home league games since the start of 2022-23.
Sky-high Sky Blues looking to make it a hat-trick of wins
Coventry travel to north London on the crest of a wave having made it back-to-back wins in style with a 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle. Six points from six games is the same as Manchester United have mustered and is a long way from the zero points and zero goals they had taken from their opening four matches.
These crucial - and potentially season altering - victories over Nottingham Forest and Newcastle mean the Sky Blues have the chance to become only the fourth top-flight side to lose their opening four matches to a season then win three in a row after Derby County in 1899-00, Arsenal in 1923-24 and Aston Villa in 1997-98.
A victory would also mark the first time they have won three Premier League matches in succession since a run of five between January and February 1998 under Gordon Strachan.
Although their most famous win of all came against Tottenham in the 1987 FA Cup final, their past five meetings have all ended in defeat and they last won away at Spurs in 1997.
However, that victory was particularly memorable as their 2-1 win on the final day of the season helped secure their top-flight status in highly dramatic circumstances.
In 19th position at kick off, goals from Dion Dublin and Paul Williams helped them leapfrog both Sunderland and Middlesbrough to finish one place and one point above the drop zone.
One man who does knows how to avoid defeat against Tottenham is head coach Frank Lampard.
During his playing days he won more matches against Spurs than he did against any other opponent and lost just eight of 41 encounters. As a manager, he has been beaten in only two of six meetings with the Lilywhites.
🎧A look ahead to Tottenhampublished at 19:33 BST 16 October
19:33 BST 16 October
As Coventry prepare to take on Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Monday, the BBC Radio CWR team have been speaking to fans in an unmissable look ahead to the latest match for Frank Lampard's side.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and subscribe to the dedicated Coventry City page to get all Sky Blues audio content.
Lampard and Sky Blues 'a marriage made in heaven'published at 09:54 BST 16 October
09:54 BST 16 October
Image source, Getty Images
Frank Lampard and Coventry City seem "like a marriage made in heaven", says journalist Henry Winter.
Reflecting on the Sky Blues' back-to-back Premier League wins and the job head coach Lampard is doing, Winter told BBC CWR: "He's a very determined character. He's very eloquent and a charming individual, but there's a steel to him as well.
"Maybe there is also a slight edge that he wants to prove himself as a manager, which is a great benefit to Coventry City. He isn't going to swan off to another club -he really wants to show what he can do with Coventry."
Hit play below to for more from Winter, plus hear from former goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic on his final Coventry game in 2000, or listen on BBC Sounds here
Lampard on Coventry's momentum, Sakamoto and Tottenhampublished at 15:42 BST 15 October
15:42 BST 15 October
Ailsa Cowen BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Coventry City boss Frank Lampard has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Spurs at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Kaine Kesler-Hayden is available after returning to training: "He's come back sharp, he looks good. He's still a very valued squad member on and off the pitch." However, Josh Eccles is not yet ready to return after welcoming a baby last week and suffering ankle and calf injuries. Lampard hopes he will be back in training in two to three weeks, while Luke Woolfenden is expected to be out for longer.
Lampard believes Coventry's recent victories represent an "improvement", but he insisted there is still more to come from his side: "No performance is absolutely complete. It felt, from where we'd been and where we're trying to get to, that the win over Newcastle was an improvement. There's much more we can do."
Lampard believes his players should enjoy their recent successes after a difficult run of results: "We're fortunate to have had a really good time these past 18 months, so when you lose games you really try to look into it, and try to improve, and when you get results you should enjoy it." He added: "Every game for us in this league is tough because of where we're at."
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto earned praise after his performance against Newcastle: "I know him really well. I love him as a player and a person. He trains every day with a hunger to get into the team. He understands the competition. What he showed against Newcastle is what he can bring to the football club and more."
Lampard also spoke positively about working with younger players Sidiki Cherif, 19, and Stephen Mfuni, 18: "I love working with players in that age bracket. When they have the personalities these boys do, they're desperate to learn and improve. You support them and talk about their game a lot - review games and training."
On Tottenham's quality: "When I look at them play, they have a lot of quality with a very good coach. We worry about ourselves and the start we had on paper to where we've got to with these two wins makes us feel good, so it's not the time for comparison."
On what he expects from Spurs: "As [we're] a promoted side, I'm sure they'll have a feeling of confidence against us. That's fine. We have to believe in ourselves and go there with our own confidence and play with the same purpose we did against Newcastle."
Hit play above to hear more from Lampard, speaking to BBC CWR's Will Oelrich, or listen on BBC Sounds here
Cherif of Coventry makes his markpublished at 16:36 BST 13 October
16:36 BST 13 October
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
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."
How much did Man City's rule breaking cost your team?published at 12:14 BST 13 October
12:14 BST 13 October
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Imagine a world where Manchester City had not used "sham contracts" to build a team capable of winning three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three EFL Cups.
If City were the winners, then there had to be losers - and not just those teams who finished runners-up or lost cup finals.
The potential impact runs much deeper and includes missed Champions League qualification, relegation and Premier League prize money.
Thirty-five other teams played in the English top flight between 2009 and 2018.
And every one could in some way claim to have been left financially out of pocket.
Stephen: Clinical in front of goal, took our chances and just fantastic to get that first win in front of our own fans. Rudoni and Thomas were awesome.
Dean: Well done, Coventry, I didn't see that win coming. They looked dangerous in attack. If they play like that they could have a strong chance of staying up.
Angela: Brilliant result! I was beginning to lose my sons to gaming but this game had them glued to the screen. What a fantastic match!
David: Well done, the Sky Blues. A lot of doubters still out there. The lads are learning and improving.
Newcastle fans
Barry: We were so indecisive and devoid of ideas. There is more than enough talent in this team and we should be beating teams like Coventry. There are so many negatives from this game and to ship eight goals in our past two away matches is simply not acceptable. I could go on and on with how bad that performance was, but I'm sure that will be covered by other equally frustrated fans.
Dave: That was the worst display I have seen from Newcastle - couldn't put a pass in and couldn't hit a barn door with our shooting.
Mike: Terrible performance from Newcastle lacking in energy, creativity, discipline and confidence to shoot. The defence was a shambles and, although they dominated possession, they never threatened.
Phil: Soft and weak both in defence and attack. Had the chances and didn't take them. In this league you'll be punished, regardless of the opposition.
A night to remember at the CBS Arenapublished at 10:59 BST 13 October
10:59 BST 13 October
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
The first instalment of Monday night football did not disappoint at the Coventry Building Society Arena as the Sky Blues put Newcastle to the sword in their first Premier League home win in over 25 years.
From kick-off, the Sky Blues showed intensity and desire to get forward and take the game to the Magpies.
That confidence was rewarded with an early penalty which Jack Rudoni perfectly slotted into the corner to give Coventry the lead after six minutes.
An early goal for any team is a boost, but for a side that had failed to score until their fifth game of the campaign, it felt like the shackles were off.
Make no mistake, it was end-to-end, with Newcastle equally as dangerous on the break. The difference being a lack of quality in their final third and Sky Blues centre-back Bobby Thomas.
Fresh from his heroics at Nottingham Forest, the no-nonsense defender was at it again, making two crucial blocks before the break to deny Matias Fernandez-Pardo, much to the delight of the home supporters.
Sidiki Cherif doubled the Sky Blues lead, but a rocket from Sven Botman gave Newcastle a lifeline with 20 minutes to go.
Tired legs invited pressure, but Coventry didn't crumble and the introduction of Frank Onyeka and Victor Torp re-strengthened the midfield after Newcastle had made four changes which included Joelinton.
Squad depth is so important in the Premier League and it showed with all of head coach Frank Lampard's changes playing a vital role in the closing stages.
Striker Ellis Simms was called into action and scored with his first touch of the game to restore a two-goal lead, before 18-year-old Stephan Mfuni made it four after just three minutes on the pitch.
It was an all-round performance that epitomised Lampard's philosophy of team effort.
But more than that, back-to-back wins propel Coventry to 14th where they sit level on points with Manchester United.
There's growing confidence that they have what it takes to compete in the Premier League.
First home win 'been a long time coming' - Thomaspublished at 07:54 BST 13 October
07:54 BST 13 October
Media caption,
Coventry defender Bobby Thomas, speaking to BBC Radio CWR after victory over Newcastle on Monday: "I thought everyone was fantastic - across the frontline, midfield, at the back and the goalkeeper.
"For the [young] lads to get the goals is important and it can only build confidence. Sidiki [Cherif] was a real handful in the first half. Stephen [Mfuni] got a goal and is a real good talent.
"We have still got 32 games left so we don't want to get too carried away with everything, but it's two good back-to-back wins in the Premier League, which has been a long time coming for us. It's a good move up the table.
"We have to try to establish ourselves as a real Premier League contender and move from there."
Analysis: Floodgates open for Coventrypublished at 22:31 BST 12 October
22:31 BST 12 October
Emily Salley BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
The international break did not fall kindly for Coventry and they were unable to gather momentum after defeating Nottingham Forest for their first Premier League win since the 2000-01 campaign.
But the hosts could not have asked for a better start on Monday night as Lukas Hornicek, under pressure from Ephron Mason-Clark, recklessly parried the ball away before throwing himself at the legs of Sidiki Cherif.
Newcastle piled on the pressure after Jack Rudoni's opener and Coventry had defender Bobby Thomas to thank for entering the break in front as he made two excellent blocks to deny Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
After scoring just one goal in their opening five games, the floodgates finally opened for Frank Lampard's side and Cherif's piercing finish in the 48th minute ensured Coventry raced out of the blocks again in the second half.
Simms made the most of the advantage given by referee John Brooks, who allowed play to go on after Joelinton clattered into Brandon Thomas-Asante on the edge of the box.
But it was 18-year-old Stephen Mfuni's goal that was the pick of the bunch for the hosts as he drove into the penalty area before bending a lovely curling finish past Hornicek.
After difficult tests against Arsenal and Manchester City to start the season, this victory will be all the evidence Lampard and Coventry fans need to prove they have what it takes not only to survive this season, but compete.
Coventry City 4-1 Newcastle United: What Lampard and Rudoni saidpublished at 22:24 BST 12 October
22:24 BST 12 October
Media caption,
Coventry boss Frank Lampard told BBC Sport: "Today we showed a big energy and showed our abilities which we'll have to maximise.
"You have to ride a bit of luck. But they did it. Quality goals went in. Sometimes you have to deserve it.
"Sticking with it [was key]. It's nervy because two is never enough. They were causing us problems. Stay in the game in those moments and the third goal was a big moment for us mentally."
On Sidiki Cherif and Stephen Mfuni: "Their attitude and the way they are is top level. They want to learn. They've settled quickly. Steph is going to be a top player in every sense. Unfortunately, he's not ours. He's shown incredible maturity.
"We have to keep our feet on the ground because it's so hard in this league. If you think you have cracked it you haven't.
"Good feeling but don't get overexcited. Enjoy the moment."
Coventry goalscorer Jack Rudoni speaking to Sky Sports: "It's a massive night for us, our first home Premier League win in 25 years. We're glad we could score four goals for the fans. We've just got to carry that on now into the next game. That's two wins on the bounce now."
On the first point at home: "Our first two home games didn't go how we wanted, we wanted to do it in front of the fans. We did it all last year in the Championship. We want to make this place a fortress and today showed we can do that."
On the step-up into the Premier League: "There's a lot more quality, we don't have the ball as much, for me personally you have to adapt to maybe more second balls and working in the final third more. Those two wins have definitely given us confidence. We can't wait for Tottenham next week."
On taking penalties: "As soon as he went down I wanted it. A few penalty takers weren't on the pitch. I said to the lads this one is mine."
On his goal celebration dedicated to his nan: "She had a heart attack last week, she's stable and she'll be watching from hospital. I just wanted to dedicate this to her where she'll be watching from."
On his journey up the leagues: "It's been a long journey, I'm the type of person that believes in myself, it was only a matter of time. It's step by step, once I achieve one achievement I'm onto the next."
On where Coventry could finish this season: "If we come in every week with that sort of intensity, you never know where it could take you. The other promoted sides have started strong too."
Did you know?
Coventry City have enjoyed back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since March - April 2001 (2-0 v Derby, 3-1 v Leicester), while they bagged four or more goals in a top-flight game for the first time since May 2000 (v Sheffield Wednesday, 4-1)
Coventry's Jack Rudoni took and scored his first-ever penalty goal (excluding shootouts) in his 280th appearance in all competitions in his senior career.
Image source, Getty Images
