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Frank Lampard’s Coventry go 12 league games unbeaten with 3-1 win against Watford

Frank Lampard’s Coventry go 12 league games unbeaten with a 3-1 win against Watford in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Watford had a huge chance to go ahead just a minute in, with Rocco Vata played clean through on goal down, only for Carl Rushworth to stand up strong and block his effort.

Then right after that, the Sky Blues went down the other end, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto sent in a curled cross into the box, meeting Brandon Thomas-Asante who sent a downward header to the right of Egil Selvik, making it 1-0 Coventry.

‘We are going up’ the home crowd sang, then it was 2-0 on 7 minutes, an unstoppable showing, a Milan van Ewijk throw into the Hornets defence, Jamie Allen was there to hit it into the bottom left corner from just inside the box.

Not long after, Haji Wright then thought he put the hosts 3-0 up, but the flag went up.

Coventry made it 3-0 on 42 minutes, Watford full of errors and this time made a mess up of an aerial ball, Brandon Thomas-Asante headed the ball down to Tatsuhiro Sakamoto who got into some space on the edge of the box and put it low past Egil Selvik’s left.

Just before half time, Watford went down to 10 men, James Abankwah sliding in on Haji Wright in an attempt to try and win the ball just outside the penalty area.

Steve Ogrizovic (Ex-Coventry City goalkeeper on BBC CWR): “Watford looked like Real Madrid going forward, and the Dog and Duck defensively.

“Watford have had numerous chances and Carl Rushworth has kept Coventry in the game at times, with four brilliant saves.

“Coventry have scored three goals and could of had more, and Watford are now down to 10 men – so it will be difficult for them.

“I am not sure how much I would have paid to watch that half, but it was an incredible half of football.”

‘Oles’ could be heard from the Coventry fans mid-way through the second half, in delight at how easy their side were making it look.

On 69 minutes, Carl Rushworth came off his line and brought down Vivaldo Semedo on the right of the area. Imran Louza stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot, finding the bottom right corner, giving Watford fans something to cheer about.

The result meant that Coventry held on to winning six games in a row for the first time since 1964, and are also unbeaten in their opening 12 matches for the first time in 25 years to go four points clear at the top of the Championship.

Steve Ogrizovic: “Coventry have just got to keep doing what they have been doing all season.

“It was brilliant first-half performance, and Carl Rushworth was outstanding and made four great saves. Coventry went on to score three and could of had about six.

“We deserved this victory and the second half I can understand, it is disappointing we just stopped playing and accepted what we had an let Watford get a goal.

“Overall a convincing victory.”

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard speaking to BBC Radio CWR:

“It was a difficult game against good opposition with lots of pace, lots of transition threat and lots of quality. If you’d offered me that (3-1) this morning against Watford I would have taken it so I’m happy.

“Carl Rushworth made some great saves for us. That is what he is there for and it is great to see a continuation of his form. We did a lot of damage in the first half but they are a counter attacking team.

“We had to be a bit careful in how we played but we had to take the sting out of the game. We want to win games. If you get loose against good opposition they are dangerous.

Watford manager Javi Gracia speaking to BBC Radio Three Counties:

“From my point of view we played very well most of the game. When you have clear chances and don’t score one goal against the league leaders it is not easy.

“I am happy with my team as they showed a good attitude and dominated the game. In the second half with one player less we conceded no shots on target and we were able to score a goal.

“If we control a little bit better the first half we could have had a result. We had two ‘one v ones’ with Rocco [Vata] but their keeper made great saves. You have to finish with composure and finish well.

“If we want better results we need to be more constant. But today we could see a team. With some mistakes that penalise us, yes. But a real team.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Frank Lampard’s Coventry go 12 league games unbeaten after producing a 3-1 win against Watford…

@JamieACooke: What a time to be a Coventry fan #PUSB 🩵

@JimmyBoy_87: That was the strangest most frustrating win. Another 3 points on the board though. #PUSB

@LewisJones_90: Coventry City are absolutely flying, wonderful to see #PUSB

@AJWood_: Anyone bored of just rolling every single team in this league over? 😴 #PUSB

@CCFCJOSH05: Watford the better side 11 vs 11 and 10 vs 11. We haven’t been dominated like that all season #PUSB

@david_johnst: Incredible journey so far this season continues game over at halftime slightly disappointing second half but would have took that result anytime Coventry the league leaders and top scorers so good 😊 to hear

@Dale_Harris14:
Could’ve been 3-3 or even 3-4 down at HT.
2nd Half looked like WE had the 10 men, not them….
Who cares. Next! #PUSB

@FiskRobbie: And let it continue! Another big win, job was done in that 1st half, 3 quality goals, stepped off the gas in the 2nd half really but we were in control for most of it. Unbeaten still, top of the league still, how good it feels! 🩵 #PUSB

@NickJH83: Great win, but poor second half. We really should be kicking on against 10 men but failed to do that. Fortunate not to concede in the first half too. Went through the motions second half but it’s another win on the board.

@PuneetVatish: No fear. Said it all along. Are people actually going to jump on my positivity and optimistic train now! Love you all! Don’t even believe, just know! #PUSB

@SephtonMark: Wasn’t so happy with that second half. We coasted and lost it 1-0 against ten pen. Intensity dropped off and wasn’t impressed with Eccles lack of work rate when he came on. Yet we win games in 10 mins of a game. Lads are doing great. I’m probably expecting to much lol #PUSB

@RobPUSB: Did what we needed to do. Madness first half. Controlled second half. Probably could’ve put more past them but not in need of GD. Silly penalty from Rushworth but otherwise an exceptional performance from him. ONWARDS.

@NickJH83: Great win, but poor second half. We really should be kicking on against 10 men but failed to do that. Fortunate not to concede in the first half too. Went through the motions second half but it’s another win on the board.

@nattiecw: A good result and another 3 points. We sat back in the second half but with a 3 goal cushion we saw it out. Shame about the penalty but Rushworth made some great saves in first half so we’ll let him off for that penalty.

@ThomasPeckham8: they genuinely look unbeatable at the minute.

@MattSB92: 28pts in 12games is insane 🤯 #pusb

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