Gary McAllister scored his 100th league goal as Coventry overcame the absence
of Moroccans Mustapha Hadji and Youssef Chippo to pile on more misery for a
below-par Wimbledon.
McAllister capped another outstanding performance by setting Coventry on the
way to victory from the penalty spot - and then set up the second goal for
Robbie Keane.
The former Scotland captain may be past his 35th birthday but he is still one
of the top creative players in the Premiership.
He is out of contract at the end
of the season but on the evidence of this season manager Gordon Strachan should
be begging him to put pen to paper on a new deal as quickly as possible.
Strachan had been forced to reshuffle after the Moroccan FA had blocked the
release of Hadji and Chippo from the African Nations Cup at the eleventh hour.
But they comfortably overcame their absence against a Dons side still looking
as if they were nursing an FA Cup hangover from their mauling by Fulham last
weekend.
Strachan gave a Premiership debut to John Eustace and the 20-year-old showed
plenty of promise for the future in midfield.
Carlton Palmer linked up effectively in the middle of the park with McAllister
while Keane always threatened danger to the visitors' defence.
On this showing and on recent performances, Coventry can look forward with
every confidence to challenging for a top ten finish - a stark contrast to their
perennial battles against relegation.
But Wimbledon, who managed just one worthwhile effort in the 90 minutes, may
be dragged into a battle for survival unless there is a rapid and significant
improvement.
Wimbledon made their intentions clear from the start, employing Carl Cort as
the only out-and-out striker, and it was the Sky Blues who dominated the opening
45 minutes.
As early as the second minute Cedric Roussel headed over a Paul Telfer cross
at the near post when well placed.
Keane threatened danger whenever he received the ball and on one occasion he
turned Dons defender Kenny Cunningham inside out before sending over an inviting
left-wing centre.
Whelan was first to the cross at the near post and he should have done better
with his header which flew over the bar.
But it was 23 minutes before Dons keeper Neil Sullivan was called into
meaningful action to deny Keane.
The confident-looking Eustace surged into the penalty area before cutting the
ball back to Keane in space on the edge of the area. The Republic of Ireland
player struck his shot cleanly enough but Sullivan was equal to it and able to
save low to his left.
Little was seen of Wimbledon as an attacking threat and it was Coventry who
continued to ask the questions.
Eustace, not looking out of place on the Premiership stage, volleyed over the
bar and then more trickery by Keane created an opening for Roussel who flashed
his low effort across goal.
Palmer was linking effectively with Gary McAllister in midfield and in
first-half injury time the former England man came close to breaking the
deadlock.
McAllister's pass was perfectly weighted for Palmer to strike his rising shot
first time and it was only inches past the post with Sullivan well beaten.
Coventry began the second period on the offensive and they gained their reward
in the 56th minute, albeit from the penalty spot.
Froggatt and Roussel were involved in the build-up and then Dons defender
Hermann Hreidarsson handled as Belgium international Roussel tried to thread the
ball through to Keane.
Referee Steve Bennett pointed to the spot - and up stepped McAllister to cooly
send Sullivan the wrong way and complete his own personal goal century.
It continued to be one-way traffic towards the Dons goal and Eustace was put
clear by Keane only for Sullivan to race out and block his shot.
Wimbledon threatened for just about the first time when Robbie Earle turned
sharply and saw his shot fly inches past the post.
But two minutes later Keane effectively killed off the game as a contest with
McAllister this time the provider.
McAllister threaded the ball into the path of Keane and, although Sullivan
saved his first effort, he had time to tuck away the rebound.
McAllister then came close to a second goal with a 30-yard rocket shot which
Sullivan tipped over the bar.
Teams
Coventry: Hedman, Telfer, Williams, Breen, Froggatt, Eustace,
McAllister, Palmer, Whelan, Roussel (Normann 81), Keane.
Subs Not Used: Ogrizovic, Konjic, Strachan, Gustafsson.
Goals: McAllister 56 pen, Keane 74.
Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Andersen, Hreidarsson,
Francis (Gray 80), Kimble, Earle, Ardley, Andresen,
Euell (Badir 80), Cort.
Subs Not Used: Davis, Willmott, Hughes.
Att: 19,012
Ref: Steve Bennett (Orpington).
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