Coventry moved a step nearer to safety thanks to midfielder George Boateng's
goal but the relegation worries are increasing for Southampton after a
nerve-jangling afternoon at Highfield Road.
Boateng enabled the Sky Blues to take their points tally to 13 from the last
six games and move towards the comfort zone in the Premiership.
But for Southampton their inability to pick up nothing tangible away from The
Dell - they have only six points out of 48 on their travels - leaves them with
an uphill battle to stay up.
Coventry just about deserved the three points because they produced most of
the precious few moments of genuine creativity and skill on a tense afternoon.
But it was a day all about commitment and flying tackles and who had the
biggest hearts in a game which was the proverbial six pointer.
Any side Coventry manager Gordon Strachan sends out will never lack those
qualities with the centre-back pairing of Paul Williams and Richard Shaw again
dominant figures.
Noel Whelan also battled away in typical fashion while defender Gary Breen's
best moment came in attacking mould on the right flank.
For Southampton Chris Marsden and Jason Dodd also gave committed displays in
the centre of the park and it was a day when all that really mattered was the
result.
That was evident by the massive roar of relief which went around Highfield
Road at the final whistle and for once Coventry may avoid a last day battle to
stay in the top flight.
The opening half hour was a fraught affair with both sides clearly aware of
the significance of the game.
There was plenty of commitment and passion but precious little in the way of
quality football as the two teams closed each other down quickly.
Boateng sent a low 30-yard effort just wide with Southampton 'keeper Neil Moss
scurrying across his goal.
But the first worthwhile chance did not arrive until the 31st minute when a
corner from Marsden picked out James Beattie at the far post.
The England Under-21 striker steadied himself but Breen got in a vital
challenge to deflect his shot past the post.
Coventry retaliated and finally started to exert some concerted pressure in
the final 10 minutes of the first half.
Moss, who looked suspect to the high ball, was forced to parry a misdirected
header from his own defender, Ken Monkou, over the bar following a long throw
from Boateng.
But he was indebted seven minutes before the interval to his defender Scott
Hiley for clearing a header from Breen off the line following a centre from Paul
Telfer.
Whelan then forced Moss to parry away a low 25-yard effort as the Sky Blues
ended the opening 45 minutes with a flourish.
Matthew Le Tissier was brought on for Wayne Bridge for the second period and
he soon made his presence felt.
A left wing cross from the former England player picked out Beattie and his
header forced a fine one-handed save out of Sky Blues 'keeper Magnus Hedman away
to his left.
Coventry retaliated and a Gary McAllister corner was flicked on to the
onrushing Paul Telfer at the far post but he failed to make proper contact and a
relieved Moss was able to gather.
But the home side again started to build up the pressure and in the 64th
minute they finally made the breakthrough.
A Southampton move broke down with Beattie down injured but referee Uriah
Rennie waved played on and Telfer's pass found the overlapping Breen in space.
His cross was met by Whelan whose header was parried by Moss but Boateng
pounced to convert the rebound.
Two minutes later Breen missed a golden chance to give Coventry breathing
space when he side-footed wide after good play by Darren Huckerby but, in the
final analysis, it did not prove decisive.
Teams:
Coventry: Hedman, Burrows, Williams, Shaw, Breen, Soltvedt,
McAllister, Boateng, Telfer, Huckerby (Gioacchino 86), Whelan.
Subs Not Used: Shilton, Konjic, Edworthy, Kirkland.
Booked: Williams, McAllister, Whelan, Boateng.
Goals: Boateng 64.
Southampton: Moss, Hiley, Colleter, Lundekvam, Monkou, Dodd,
Marsden, Bridge (Le Tissier 46), D. Hughes (Kachloul 76),
M. Hughes, Beattie (Pahars 68).
Subs Not Used: Benali, Stensgaard.
Booked: Dodd.
Att: 21,402
Ref: U Rennie (Sheffield).
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