Laws glee as Purse pulls strings

18 October 2009 11:42
First-half goals from Darren Purse and Leon Clarke sealed victory for the Owls, and Laws could not hide his pleasure at the performance. "I thought we were exceptionally good," he said. "We've had a horrible two weeks since losing at Derby, but the players have responded very well. "We went two-nil up and could have had more goals in the first half. The second half was a workmanlike performance to ensure we didn't lose the game." Laws heaped praise on under-fire skipper Purse, whose place was under threat following a poor start to the season. He said: "Darren has come in for a lot of criticism, but I thought he was outstanding and justified being in the side. He responded superbly and that's answered a lot of critics." Coventry manager Chris Coleman was critical of the match officials after his side's defeat. Leon Best's header, which appeared to cross the line, was not given as a goal and the referee also later changed his mind after initially awarding a penalty to Coventry. "They're paid to do a job and it's very hard to keep your mouth shut when you see decisions like that," said Coleman. "I think the officials thought that because we'd played so badly for the first thirty minutes, they'd emulate our performance. "Sheffield Wednesday were better than us and deserved the three points, but there were two decisions which were major for us. "The two goals we gave away were poor and in every department we weren't good enough." Wednesday made a bright start with Clarke just failing to get a touch to Jermaine Johnson's low cross. Purse gave the home side a fourth minute lead, outjumping the defence to meet Darren Potter's corner with a firm header. Clarke (20) added a second from the penalty spot after Elliott Ward brought down James O'Connor in the area. The visitors looked to have pulled a goal back just before the break when Best's header appeared to go over the line before keeper Lee Grant scooped it out. But to the fury of the Coventry players and the astonishment of the crowd, referee Colin Webster ruled that it had not crossed the line. Coventry threatened in spells after the re-start with Best having an effort blocked and Grant keeping out Ward's overhead-kick. There was further controversy when referee Webster changed his mind after initially awarding a penalty to Coventry when Tommy Spurr made a clumsy challenge on Best. Wednesday appeared content to sit on their two-goal lead, Clarke shooting wide with their solitary chance in the second-half. As Coventry continued to press in the closing stages, Grant was forced to beat away a shot from Jack Cork and Patrick van Aanholt had an effort deflected wide. In stoppage time, Isaac Osborne's drive was deflected wide and Clinton Morrison shot just over.

Source: Team_Talk