Coventry striker Darren Huckerby scored a wonderful goal to breathe life back
into the Premiership title race by sinking leaders Manchester United in a
dramatic finale at Highfield Road.
Goals from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham looked to have seen off
the challenge of the Sky Blues, who had taken a shock lead through Noel Whelan's
first goal of the season.
But it all changed around in the final four minutes. First Dion Dublin
equalised from the penalty spot after Huckerby had been flattened by Henning
Berg.
Then with 60 seconds remaining Huckerby sent the home fans wild as he went
past four challenges before planting a low shot wide of Kevin Pilkington.
It ended United's run of six successive league wins and gave Coventry a
massive boost in their bid to move clear of the relegation zone.
United seldom moved into top gear and in the early stages their casual
approach gave the impression that they felt they needed only to turn up to
collect the three points.
Whelan's early goal and the ultra-competitive approach of Gordon Strachan's
side ensured it would never be that easy for the visitors.
But they still looked on course for victory until the late, late show from
Dublin and Huckerby, who made amends for some previous poor finishing.
United looked full of confidence in the early stages - too full perhaps - and
were stunned when they Sky Blues snatched a 13th minute lead with a move started
and finished by Whelan.
He found Marcus Hall in space on the left flank and, after he had been tackled
by Henning Berg, the ball broke into the path of Darren Huckerby.
The former Newcastle player cut his cross back across goal and Dion Dublin was
able to turn the ball invitingly into the path of Whelan who side-footed his
shot past the exposed Pilkington.
Coventry might have increased their lead shortly afterwards had Huckerby shown
more composure.
Pilkington found himself stranded on the touch-line after over-committing
himself in an effort to halt Huckerby but, with three players in the middle, the
Coventry striker went for the narrow angle and his shot hit the side-netting.
United started to add some cutting edge to their play and Paul Williams, back
after suspension, came to Coventry's rescue when he cleared a low effort from
Solskjaer off the line.
Manager Alex Ferguson was concerned enough to make his way from his seat in
the stand to the touch-line dug-out after only 25 minutes and it seemed to have
the desired effect.
Coventry keeper Magnus Hedman was called into meaningful action for the first
time on the half hour when he smothered a low effort from Solskjaer.
But within 60 seconds United were back on level terms. Ryan Giggs, recalled to
the starting line-up along with Teddy Sheringham, provided the telling pass to
Solskjaer.
The Norwegian international turned Coventry defender Roland Nilsson inside out
before steering a low shot into the corner of the net.
Coventry retaliated and they should have regained the lead in the 34th minute.
Huckerby beat the offside trap to race clear after latching onto a long ball
from David Burrows.
But, with only Pilkington to beat, he committed the cardinal sin of not even
testing Peter Schmeichel's deputy and drilled his shot into the side-netting
again.
United were straight onto the offensive at the start of the second period and
within two minutes they had taken the lead.
Burrows slipped when in possession on the left flank deep in his own half and
Beckham nipped in between the Coventry defender and Whelan to release Scholes.
He had time to pick out Sheringham with a low cross at the far post but the
England striker still had to stoop to his knees to send his header past the
exposed Hedman.
United gave the impression that they could move up a gear at any stage but
Coventry continued to show plenty of fight and commitment and Paul Telfer was
only a foot too high with a 25-yard free-kick.
Dublin, against his old club, and Huckerby left it late, but came good in the
end to inflict a painful lesson on the champions.
Teams
Coventry: Hedman, Shaw, Burrows, Williams, Huckerby, Whelan,
Dublin, Telfer, Boateng (Boland 64), Hall (Soltvedt 77), Nilsson.
Subs Not Used: Ogrizovic, Lightbourne, Shilton.
Booked: Boland.
Goals: Whelan 12, Dublin 86 pen, Huckerby 88.
Man Utd: Pilkington, Neville, Johnsen (Curtis 63), Pallister,
Beckham, Cole, Sheringham, Giggs, Scholes, Solskjaer (Butt 71),
Berg.
Subs Not Used: McClair, Culkin, Mulryne.
Booked: Beckham.
Goals: Solskjaer 30, Sheringham 47.
Att: 23,054
Ref: N S Barry (Scunthorpe).
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