Coventry City player ratings as Palmer inspires and Dovin is colossal

Coventry City followed up their Oxford United victory last Friday with another point at Bristol City on Saturday lunch-time as Kasey Palmer stepped off the bench to haunt his old club and earn the Sky Blues a share of the spoils with a fine goal. That cancelled out an equally brilliant strike from the Robins’ George Tanner in first half stoppage time, a lead the hosts had deserved.

After Milan Van Ewijk’s early sliced effort, courtesy of hardworking build up play by Haji Wright, Bristol City settled into the game quicker and looked the likelier side to open the scoring. Indeed Oliver Dovin had to beat away shots from range from Max Bird and then Tanner in the space of about a minute.

The Swede did so again from the dangerous Scott Twine’s free kick in first half stoppage time as the Robins continued to dominate proceedings in the face of a lacklustre Sky Blues showing, and they were eventually punished before the break when Tanner connected sweetly with a clearing header from a corner which only reached the edge of the penalty area.

The Sky Blues had half chances at the very beginning of the second half through both Ellis Simms and Haji Wright, before Robins rolled the dice and introduced Ephron Mason-Clark and Palmer before the hour mark. That proved to be a key change. With 15 minutes to play, Mason-Clark’s delivery from the right was met by Luis Binks, who nodded it down and Palmer delicately danced through before finding the top corner.

The final throes of the game might’ve gone either way. Brandon Thomas-Asante worked an opening for himself, while Dovin, in inspired form, denied Fally Mayulu at the other end too. Perhaps a point was a fair outcome – City’s first on the road of the new campaign. Here are our player ratings from Ashton Gate.

Coventry City starting XI (4-2-3-1)

Kept the Robins at bay in the first half, until he was finally beaten by an effort he could do little about. Denied Max Bird and George Tanner from distance and then dived to deny Sinclair Armstrong at his feet. Wasn’t happy with the opening goal as he remonstrated with the linesman. Superb denying of Bird down to his left with another stinging drive and then Mayulu before the end, too.

With last week’s goal in mind he ventured forwards and actually had the first shot of the game inside the opening 90 seconds, but he couldn’t keep his effort down when teed up by Wright. Attentive in his defensive duties.

Latibeaudiere 6

Found the formidable frame of Armstrong a handful and was left in his wake on a couple of occasions. That said, he did make a couple of very important clearances, one from almost under his own cross-bar and then another at his near post as Bristol City applied pressure.

Binks 6

Calm and measured in the tight areas when on the ball and, of course, an aerial presence on the left side of the back pairing. Important contribution in the opposing box, too, when he used that aerial prowess to meet Mason-Clark’s cross and prompt uncertainty which led to the goal.

Bidwell 6

Made one very important recovering run and challenge in the first half to prevent Armstrong from having a clear sight of goal. Was booked for catching Sykes late. Continued to venture down the left and offer assistance to Wright but had his own work cut out with Sykes.

Eccles 5

Was impressive here ten days ago but against a decent Bristol City midfield he struggled to retain the ball and was caught in possession as Messrs Knight, Bird, Twine and Williams influenced the hosts’ first-half dominance from the middle. Never shies away from his responsibilities and continued diligently but he can be better.

Torp 5

Like Eccles, Torp struggled as the game warmed up. Was caught in possession on a couple of occasions in the opening quarter of the game. One imaginative corner kick routine in the first 45 didn’t quite work out. A classy individual on his day but found it tough going here and was withdrawn.

Sakamoto 5

Cam Pring proved a tricky customer at left-back and as well as Sakamoto played against the Robins both home and away last year, he was comparably ineffective here, just unable to influence City for any substantial period of time in the final third. He was taken off early into the second half.

Rudoni 6

The most advanced midfielder in the first half but he wasn’t able to significant impact City’s play in the attacking third in what was a ponderous and lacklustre opening 45 from the away side in general. Dropped deeper when Torp was hooked to accommodate Palmer and saw a little more of the ball.

Wright 6

About as inspiring as any of City’s attackers in the first half, but he didn’t have the ball in the right areas to hurt Bristol City often enough. Looked for Simms and teed up Van Ewijk but that was about it. Had as good an opening as any striker in the first hour but lashed his shot harmlessly into the side netting. Involved in the post-goal kerfuffle with Joe Williams.

Simms 5

Fed off scraps in the first half, starved of any notable service despite the efforts from Wright whenever he had the ball on the left. Might he have done better with his effort from a very narrow angle with O’Leary off his line? It was difficult but he wasn’t pleased with himself.

Substitutes

Mason-Clark (for Sakamoto 56) 7

Very notable contribution. Delivery from the right which led to the goal came from him. Just more of a physical presence – has pace, clearly, but isn’t barged off the ball easily either. Impressive cameo and one of substance.

Palmer (for Torp 56) 8

Big impact. Not just his fine goal, he went close with the free kick beforehand and then carried a ball from inside his own half and deep into the opposing half, beating a multitude of players.

Thomas-Asante (for Simms 72) 6

Erratic in decision making and in the finishing, but the signs are there that Asante can be an effective member of this squad. One moment at the death where he nodded the ball clear and advanced from deep into the penalty area was impressive, but needed more composure.

Dasilva (for Bidwell 72) 6

Calm and collected when he needed to be down in the left corner. Man of the match showing here ten days ago and another sound cameo from the bench.

Substitutes not used: Wilson, Kitching, Thomas, Allen, Bassette

Bristol City starting XI: O’Leary, Tanner, Vyner, Dickie (Naismith 52), Pring, Knight, Williams, Bird (Wells 78), Sykes (Earthy 78), Twine (Mehmeti 62), Armstrong (Mayulu 62)

Substitutes not used: Bajic, Roberts, McGuane, Cornick

GOALS

Bristol City – Tanner 45; Coventry City – Palmer 76