Coventry City news from CoventryLive as the Sky Blues begin their 2023/24 Championship campaign with a 2-1 loss at the King Power Stadium
Coventry City gave up a second half lead as they slipped to an opening day defeat at Leicester.
The Sky Blues got themselves in front at the King Power Stadium when Kyle McFadzean headed home a near post corner but a late double from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall snatched victory for the Foxes.
Kasey Palmer went closest to finding the back of the net in a tough first half at the King Power Stadium when he curled an effort just over the bar. Ben Wilson, meanwhile, kept the ball out at the other end with two first half saves to deny Callum Doyle and Kasey McAteer, with an entertaining first 45 ending all square.
McFadzean then gave Coventry the lead from an early corner at the start of the second half, sending in a glancing header at the near post from a Gus Hamer corner.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall then headed home an equaliser in the 77th minute, beating Bobby Thomas in the air to spark a frantic end to the game with both sides going for the win. Dewsbury-Hall then popped up with the winner three minutes from the end of normal time when he received the ball in the box and hit a powerful shot into the top corner.
STARTING FORMATION: 3-4-1-2
BEN WILSON: 7.5
Restored to the starting line-up to start the season after missing three of the pre-season friendlies and displayed good positioning early on to get his body behind a couple of powerful shots from distance. Denied Callum Doyle at his far post and got his angles spot on to palm away a powerful effort from McAteer just before the break.
BOBBY THOMAS: 7
Slid in on Stephy Mavididi in the box to block an early attempt on goal and got forward really well to support attacks down the right. Made a really impressive debut. Good with the ball at his feet and a real presence at the back. Allows Dewsbury-Hall in to head home the equaliser.
KYLE McFADZEAN: 8
At the heart of the back three and often a back five when defending in numbers, Fadz led by example and had a great old school battle with Jamie Vardy who he bullied and shoved throughout. Scored with a brilliant glancing near post header from a Hamer corner at the start of the second half to give City the lead.
JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE: 7
Quick on his feet and alert to danger. Had a good understanding with Dasilva on the left although the pair were exposed by McAteer just before half-time.
JOSH ECCLES: 6.5
Preferred ahead of new signings Sakamoto and Van Ewijk, the Cov Kid worked hard and on a day when he had his work cut out against Mavididi and former team-mate Callum Doyle who both posed a threat down that flank
GUSTAVO HAMER: 8.5
Tackled, won the ball back and sent in decent set-piece deliveries in a busy and eye-catching display from City’s star man who was all over the pitch, helping to defend one minute and on the attack the next. Sent in the corner for Fadz to score.
BEN SHEAF: 7
Calm in possession and put a good shift in, getting a foot in and passing the ball well. Had a shot just before the break but gave away a couple of free kicks just outside the box to invite pressure.
JAY DASILVA: 7
Got forward well as a decent outlet down the left when he could and showed excellent technical ability in tight situations and good awareness of danger.
KASEY PALMER: 7
Looked to pick out the killer passes in the final third and had City’s best early chance when he curled narrowly over the bar. Came to life again in the second half when he set up Godden for a decent chance.
MATTY GODDEN: 7
Pressed from the front in a really hard working shift but didn’t see a great deal of the ball. Mis-placed a couple of early passes but couldn’t fault his effort. Had an early snap shot in the second half to force the keeper into a save. Denied again by a firm hand after being played in by Palmer.
ELLIS SIMMS: 5.5
Effective in helping defend set-pieces but lacked sharpness and service in the final third in the first half. Fluffed an early chance in the second half when he hit a shot well wide from a good position. Disappointing
SUBSTITUTES:
HAJI WRIGHT (70 mins for Simms): 7
Quick and powerful and hit the underside of the bar after a great run. Looks a really exciting addition.
MILAN VAN EWIJK (70 mins, for Eccles): 5.5
Displayed some good touches.
LIAM KELLY (70 mins, for Hamer): 6.5
Got straight into the game and did what he does, adding a calm head and experience.
TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO (90+1 mins, for Palmer):
Subs (not used): Brad Collins (GK), Luis Bink, Jake Bidwell, Ryan Howley, Justin Obikwu.
LEICESTER CITY (4-3-3): Mads Hermansen; Ricardo Pereira, Wout Faes Jannik Vestergaard, Callum Doyle; Wildfred Ndidi, Harry Winks, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall; Kasey McAteer, Jamie Vardy (75 mins, for Kelechi Iheanacho) , Stephy Mavididi.
Subs (not used): Jakub Stolarczyk (GK), James Justin, Marc Albrighton, Harry Souttar, Hamza Choudhury, Patson Daka, Dennis Praet, Timothy Castagne.
GOALS:
FOXES: Dewsbury-Hall (77, 87)
SKY BLUES: McFadzean (47)
REFEREE: Darren Bond
