Darren Huckerby scored his second successive hat-trick as Coventry City eased
their relegation worries with a first win in eight Premiership games to pile on
the misery for managerless Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham-born Huckerby was a constant threat with his power and pace but he
also produced some deadly finishing to take his goal tally to six in two matches
after his treble against Macclesfield in the FA Cup last weekend.
After this display Ron Atkinson must be tempted to stay in the sunshine of the
West Indies as Forest, who he is expected to take charge of next weekend, were
torn apart with ease.
Atkinson has saved Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday from the drop in the past
but it will take a miracle on the evidence of this display to keep Forest in the
Premiership.
They have now gone 18 games without a win and in that period have picked up
just seven points.
The Sky Blues killed off their Midland rivals with three goals in ten minutes
either side of half-time as they moved up a gear after a scrappy opening half
hour.
It was their first league success since the 3-0 home win over Everton on
November 15 but manager Gordon Strachan's faith in side has remained unwavering
- and his side finally delivered the goods.
The threat of Huckerby - a Notts County fan as a youngster - and Noel Whelan
plus the craft of Gary McAllister and Trond Soltvedt in midfield meant Coventry
always had too much ammunition for Forest.
The only bright spots for Forest were the form early in the game of Steve
Stone and Pierre Van Hooijdonk - but once Huckerby had broken the deadlock the
visitors fell apart.
Early on Coventry keeper Magnus Hedman comfortably saved a header from the
recalled Van Hooijdonk while at the other end Dave Beasant held onto an effort
from McAllister.
A free-kick from the touchline by Van Hooijdonk bounced awkwardly in front of
Hedman who was forced to parry away for a corner at full stretch.
But Coventry moved up a gear in the final 15 minutes of the half and only the
woodwork prevented Huckerby from giving them a 32nd-minute lead.
His pace and power took him from just inside his own half and past the
challenges of Chris Bart-Williams and Craig Armstrong into the Forest penalty
area.
His angled shot beat Beasant all ends up but rebounded off the post to
safety.
Telfer then had a 20-yard effort tipped over by the Forest keeper while John
Aloisi sidefooted across the goal from close range after Paul Williams flicked
on a McAllister corner.
But in the final minute of the half the Sky Blues got their reward via
Huckerby.
Soltvedt's left-wing cross was turned on by Aloisi to Huckerby on the right
side of the area and the pace and accuracy of his rising shot gave Beasant no
chance.
Then two minutes into the second half Huckerby came up trumps again with an
exquisite goal.
He was found in space on the right by David Burrows, cut inside and, after
spotting Beasant off his line, beat him with a delicate chip over his head.
The ball hit the far post but rebounded back across goal and had already
crossed the goalline before Aloisi got a touch.
Coventry were now rampant and in the 55th minute Telfer killed off any hopes
of a Forest revival with a spectacular third goal.
A cross from Whelan was headed out by 17-year-old Chris Doig only to the edge
of the area and Telfer's volley flew past Beasant.
Then 15 minutes from time Huckerby completed a memorable hat-trick as he ran
through the centre of the Forest midfield and defence before drilling a low
drive past the exposed Beasant.
Teams
Coventry: Hedman, Nilsson, Burrows (Shilton 72), Williams, Shaw,
Whelan, McAllister (Quinn 87), Telfer, Soltvedt, Huckerby,
Aloisi (Jackson 66).
Subs Not Used: Ogrizovic, Breen.
Booked: Whelan, Telfer, McAllister.
Goals: Huckerby 45, 46, Telfer 54, Huckerby 75.
Nottm Forest: Beasant, Chettle, Hjelde, Armstrong (Freedman 56),
Lyttle, Stone, Gemmill (Quashie 83), Johnson,
Bart-Williams (Woan 70), Doig, Van Hooijdonk.
Subs Not Used: Crossley, Williams.
Booked: Chettle, Woan.
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