Match Report

Coventry City hit four goals for the first time this season to beat Southampton at the Ricoh Arena.

Jay Tabb (2), Leon McKenzie and Leon Best all notched for City in a free-flowing performance.

Coventry hit their first in the 19th minute. Freddy Eastwood's flick to McKenzie on the wing gave him the chance to put a cross into the box and Tabb leapt to head a powerful effort into Kelvin Davis' net.

Ten minutes later, the Sky Blues had a golden chance to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot.

Oliver Lancashire tripped Best in the area and Elliott Ward stepped up but his weak chip did little to trouble Davis.

The home side did not let the miss affect them and continued to pressure.

Dan Fox - one of the players watched by England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce - put in a dangerous cross in the 33rd minute which Scott Dann nodded down for Best to finish - but he hit the post despite having an empty net to aim at.

Coventry made it 2-0 a minute later. Aron Gunnarsson's long throw was nodded headed into McKenzie's path and his low drive gave Davis no chance.

Gunnarsson had a chance of his own two minutes before the break when he was put through by Eastwood, but the Icelandic international put his effort straight at Davis.

The half-time break did little to halt the Sky Blues' attacks and, two minutes after the restart, McKenzie passed to Fox on the left of the area.

He charged into the box and placed a low cross into the path of former Saint Best to make it 3-0.

Southampton head-coach Jan Poortvliet decided to shake-up his side and introduced Tomas Pekhart, Simon Gillett and Bradley Wright-Phillips.

The latter was on hand to give the Saints a glimmer of hope when his cross found Andrew Surman 12 yards out to make it 3-1 in the 62nd minute.

Southampton tried to claw their way back into the game, but Coventry held out before Tabb scored his second with a half-volley from Eastwood's cross in the 87th minute.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides