Nilsson's Sky Blues too good for Wednesday

Terry Yorath was unable to make it three from three since taking over temporarily, as Wednesday went down 2-0 at Highfield Road to a strong looking Coventry City side. The Sky Blues, managed by former Owl Roland Nilsson, went to the top of the division after this win whilst also keeping their fifth consecutive clean sheet.

The Owls had picked up maximum points from their last two games with wins over fellow strugglers Walsall and Barnsley, and the trip to the Midlands was always going to a tough challenge for Yorath and his men. The only change to the side that beat Barnsley 3-1 at home in midweek was Simon Donnelly making his first start of the season in replacement of the injured Alan Quinn. There was also a place on the bench again for fellow Scot Phil O'Donnell.

The first half wasn't a pretty one with both sides making a number of sloppy mistakes, but overall it was Wednesday who were looking the more accomplished of the two sides. The better of the football was being played by the away team, but it was Coventry who had the better of the chances to get on the scoreboard first. Former West Brom striker Lee Hughes fired just wide after 18 minutes, and a minute later the Owls nearly scored at the other end but Sky Blues defender Marc Edworthy managed to get infront of Owen Morrison in the nick of time after some good work from Simon Donnelly.

Coventry immediately counter-attacked and nearly caught the Wednesday backline napping, as Lee Hughes found himself with his second good scoring chance inside a minute. This time Coventry outnumbered the Owls two to one at the back, but Hughes wasted the chance and fired wide again.

In the 38th minute Wednesday were 1-0 down. Steven Haslam conceded a free kick some 28 yards from goal and most in the ground expected David Thompson to have a crack at goal. Instead, he left it for Moroccan midfield man Youssef Safri who struck a beautiful shot to beat Kevin Pressman all ends up.

Two minutes later the Owls could have been level. Haslam made up for the free-kick he had conceded by slipping a great through ball for Simon Donnelly, but he was denied by Coventry keeper, and fellow countryman, Andy Goram as the former Scotland international saved well with his legs to deny Donnelly his first goal of the season.

Half-time: Coventry 1-0 Owls

Shortly into the second half the Sky Blues had the ball in the net again, this time through Lee Hughes. Luckily for Wednesday the goal was ruled out as the referee had judged Hughes to have kicked the ball out of Pressman's hands.

Midway through the second half Coventry did have their second goal, a real blow for the Owls. Derek Geary hacked down Laurent Delorge and even the most stubborn of Wednesday fans would have agreed with the decision to award a penalty. Lee Hughes, having missed a couple of good chances and then having had a goal ruled out, made absolutely no mistake whatsoever in blasting the ball into the back of the net.

Wednesday tried hard to get back into the game but the Coventry defence held out strong. Simon Donnelly was again denied by the inform Goram, whilst sub's Michele Di Piedi and Phil O'Donnell came close on other occasions.

The Owls face another tricky away fixture in midweek as they travel to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.