Coventry 0 Newcastle 2

10 December 2009 09:30
Coventry 0 Newcastle 2[LNB] SHOLA AMEOBI and a debut strike by Nile Ranger helped extend Newcastle's winning run to seven games.[LNB] It wasn't a vintage performance from Chris Hughton's side but they had too much for Coventry City whose recent form is dismal while Newcastle continue their seemingly unstoppable campaign to secure the Championship title.[LNB] Ameobi celebrated his return from a succession of injuries that have sidelined him since August with a well-taken goal just before half time, while Ranger offered further evidence of his attacking prowess with his first strike in Newcastle colours.[LNB] Hughton reinstated Ameobi to the starting lineup at the expense of Marlon Harewood who dropped to the bench. And Fabrice Pancrate was rewarded for his wonder-goal against Watford with his first start. The Frenchman had a quiet night but is certain to have benefited from playing 75 minutes.[LNB] Nicky Butt came in for Kevin Nolan who was serving a one-match suspension after being dismissed last Saturday. Despite Hughton's confirmation that Andy Carroll was available for selection last night, the Gateshead-born striker was not even among the Newcastle substitutes.[LNB] After a low-key opening an intelligent ball from Jonas Gutierrez released Ameobi but his neat pull back was met weakly by the onrushing Pancrate.[LNB] Ameobi proved his usual awkward self and as the Magpies striker distracted the Coventry centre-backs Peter Lovenkrands fired a goal-bound shot against the legs of Martin Crainie. And Ameobi almost won his side a penalty on the half hour when he tumbled under pressure from Jermaine Grandison but the referee was well placed and waved play on.[LNB] Jose Enrique then tried his luck from the edge of the area but his low drive was deflected for a corner by a home defence which clearly lacked confidence and struggled to contain Newcastle's forays forward.[LNB] Hughton's side had two more penalty claims turned down in the first half after Leon Barnett wrestled first Enrique and then Lovenkrands to the ground.[LNB] The usually unflappable Hughton became increasingly agitated with the official's failure to penalise the Sky Blues defenders.[LNB] Chris Coleman's side offered a sporadic threat on the break and twice hit the crossbar in rapid succession from a Michael McIndoe header and Leon Best's stunning drive.[LNB] But Ameobi showed he'd lost none of his goalscoring instincts during his three month lay-off just before the interval. He collected Enrique's pass on the edge of the area, turned Barnett and powered a left foot drive past Keiren Westwood from 15 yards.[LNB] Coleman must have blasted his side at half time because they took the game to the visitors after the break.[LNB] The lively Jack Cork ghosted past Danny Simpson and centred for Freddy Eastwood but his shot cannoned against Ameobi.[LNB] Hughton made a surprise double substitution just after the hour mark with Harewood replacing the tiring Ameobi while Nile Ranger came on for Lovenkrands. Within seconds of their arrival on the field Newcastle almost doubled their lead but Westwood made a fine save at full stretch to prevent Alan Smith from opening his Newcastle account.[LNB] Steve Harper showed good alertness to make a couple of a low saves from Eastwood a trademark of Harper's season is that he's pulled off important saves even when his side have dominated proceedings.[LNB] Another clean sheet is likely to increase the clamour for Fabio Capello to check out the Easingtonborn keeper's claims for a place in the England squad.[LNB] As Coventry pushed forward Enrique and Ranger combined to settle the game and extend Newcastle's run of away victories to three. It wasn't the cleanest strike by the youngster who side-footed home from three yards but he will treasure his debut first team strike.[LNB] The 4,000 away fans taunted Coleman with chants of you're getting sacked in the morning and the result added to mounting pressure on the Sky Blues boss whose side have won only one of their last 13 games.[LNB] By contrast, Hughton continues to oversee a campaign where Newcastle's ability to grind out results is making them hot favourites for an immediate return to the Premier League.[LNB] Match facts Goals: Ameobi (0-1, 45); Ranger (0- 2, 81)[LNB] Bookings: none[LNB] Referee: Grant Hegley (Herts) 6[LNB] Attendance: 21,688[LNB] Entertainment: [LNB] COVENTRY CITY (4-4-2): Westwood 6;Clarke 5 (Grandison 22, 6), van Aanholt 5, Crainie 5, Barnett 4; EASTWOOD 7, Gunnarsson 5 (Bell 84), Cork 6 (Madine 84), McIndoe 6; Morrison 5, Best 6. Subs (not used): Ireland (gk), McPake,Hussey,Jeffers.[LNB] NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Harper 6; Simpson 6, S Taylor 6,Colocinni 7, ENRIQUE 7; Pancrate 5 (R Taylor 76), Butt 6, Smith 7, Gutierrez 6; Ameobi 7 (Harewood 64,6), Lovenkrands 6 (Ranger 64, 6).[LNB] Subs (not used) Krul(gk), Kadar, Guthrie, Khizanishvili.[LNB] MAN OF THE MATCH: JOSE Enrique strong in defence and attack.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo