Tony Mowbray - Sky Blues deserved more from Sheffield United defeat - The Coventry Observer

Tony Mowbray - Sky Blues deserved more from Sheffield United defeat

Coventry Editorial 14th Dec, 2015 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

TONY Mowbray feels his side deserved at least a point after losing 1-0 at Sheffield United in a match where the Sky Blues had what looked like a clear goal disallowed.

Billy Sharpe scored the only goal of the game as City’s 11-game unbeaten run in the league came to an end at Brammall Lane.

But Mowbray’s side had every right to be aggreived after referee Iain Williamson only pulled out a yellow card to Jay McEveley after his awful late lunge on Ruben Lameiras.

And after the break Williamson ruled out what looked like a clear Sky Blues goal after Jacob Murphy’s pulled back looked to have been deflected over the Blades goaline.




“We’re pretty disappointed,” said Mowbray. “The players are sitting there in the dressing room saying it was definitely over the line in the second-half.

“The way Joe Cole span away during the incident seemed to show it went over the line but never mind, we’ve got to move on to the next game now.


“I think we deserved something. I think we played like the home side today, we had the most of the ball and created some good openings which we weren’t able to take.

“We’re frustrated with the nature of the goal we lost. I’m not sure they had a shot on target up until that point and we’ve done pretty well from set-pieces this season.

“I thought they defended well and they worked really hard to stop us playing our game. They let us have the ball in certain areas and made it difficult for us.”

Adam Armstrong had City’s best chance of the match on 20 minutes when he was put through on goal by a superb pass by Lameiras but his first time shot was well saved by George Long in the Blades goal.

The first major incident followed moments later with McEveley diving in on Lameiras by the touchline. It looked like a sending off offence but referee Williamson opted for a yellow card despite strong complaints from the travelling players, coaching staff and support.

After the break Long did well again to deny Lameiras’ close range volley as the visitors dominated proceedings, and Fleck was just inches away from connecting with Armstrong’s cross from the right.

Mowbray’s side thought they had got their noses in front when Murphy did well to get to the byline and his cross took a deflection off a defender’s arm before crossing the line, but despite the celebrations referee Williamson waved play on.

That decision changed the game as the hosts soon went ahead when Sharpe headed home from a corner nine minutes from time to earn Nigel Adkins’ side all three points.

In stoppage time the Sky Blues were dealt another blow when skipper Sam Rickets was sent off for picking up two yellow cards and despite the loss, Mowbray was full praise for winger Lameiras.

“Ruben turned in a great performance,” Mowbray added. “He’s a very talented footballer and caused plenty of problems for them today. We’ve got a lot of options in those areas and that’s good for the squad.

“We’ve got to get this out of our system and move on to Oldham. It’s our first loss for a long time but we’ve got a pretty strong dressing room spirit so we’ll be fine.”

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