Coventry recorded a historic 4-1 Premier League victory over Newcastle, with Frank Lampard applauded by the home crowd. The result lifted Coventry out of the relegation zone, while Newcastle missed the chance to move into fourth place. Promoted last season, Coventry had not won at home or scored on their own ground in the Premier League since the spring of 2001, when they were relegated. A quarter of a century had passed.
After losing their first four games following their return to the top flight, Coventry had shown signs of recovery before the international break, beating Nottingham 1-0 at the City Ground. That win was followed by another in front of their supporters. The match quickly swung Coventry’s way: Jack Rudoni converted a penalty, scoring Coventry’s first Premier League goal at the CBS Arena since the 1-0 win over Sunderland in April 2001. Coventry struck again early in the second half.
Newcastle had more of the ball and pushed forward, but a lack of cutting edge in front of goal proved costly. In the 70th minute, Sven Botman pulled his side back into the match with a left-footed shot into the top corner, after Cherif had missed the chance to make it 3-0. Coventry then came under pressure and struggled to keep possession, but Lampard’s changes gave the team fresh impetus. Brandon Thomas-Asante hit the crossbar before Stephen Mfuni, who came through Manchester City’s youth system and is 18, rounded off the historic night with a left-footed shot across goal.
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