First Division leaders Charlton came back from the dead to achieve a dramatic
FA Cup triumph over Gordon Strachan's side courtesy of a last-gasp winner from
Andy Hunt.
Hunt completed an incredible comeback after the Sky Blues had looked set in
the first half to win this FA Cup fifth round tie at a canter.
Coventry raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of a double blast from Belgium
Under-21 striker Cedric Roussel inside the first quarter of the match.
But Alan Curbishley's side stormed back in pulsating fashion to get back on
level terms through goals by John Robinson and Shaun Newton.
In all honesty Charlton could have killed off the tie before Hunt's decider
but some inept finishing and vital blocks from Coventry keeper Magnus Hedman
denied them.
The Addicks had the man-of-the-match in Newton who tormented the Coventry
defence down the right flank.
Coventry wing-back Stephen Froggatt struggled to cope with Newton who supplied
a string of menacing balls into the danger area.
On this evidence the visitors are good enough to reclaim their Premiership
spot as they have a combination of skill and passion.
But this will be regarded as a hammer blow for Coventry who had harboured
genuine hopes this season of winning the trophy for the first time since 1987.
Coventry opened positively enough with Carlton Palmer, back after suspension,
only just too high with a header from a Paul Telfer centre.
But Charlton served early warning that they would be a threat to the Sky Blues
when Hedman was forced to block a low effort from Martin Pringle after a probing
pass from Mark Kinsella.
Pringle then connected with a 25-yard volley which flew straight into the
hands of Hedman but Coventry looked to have taken command when they struck twice
in six minutes.
Runar Normann, making his first start for Coventry, flicked the ball inside
Greg Shields into the path of Roussel who clipped the ball wide of the exposed
Charlton keeper Dean Kiely.
Six minutes later Roussel looked to have put the game beyond the reach of
Charlton when he struck again.
Robbie Keane back-headed the ball into the path of Gary McAllister who had
time to look up and flight his chip into the path of Roussel whose header gave
Kiely no chance.
With McAllister pulling the strings in midfield and Keane a constant worry to
the Charlton defence, a comfortable Coventry victory seemed there for the
taking.
But Charlton refused to buckle and started to create plenty of chances.
Robinson headed straight at Hedman when well-placed and then the same player had
a shot blocked by the Coventry keeper.
It was Newton who started the fightback in the 41st minute when he hooked the
ball back across goal and this time Robinson made no mistake with a close-range
header.
Then in first half injury time Charlton got back on level terms. Hunt's
initial shot was parried by Hedman but Newton was on hand to bury the rebound.
Charlton started the second half in positive fashion and Robinson drove over
the bar when well-placed after more good play by Newton.
The Sky Blues were now restricted to isolated raids and were grateful when
Hunt miskicked when 10-yards out after more good play by Newton.
But Hunt made amends in the dying minutes when he squeezed his low shot just
inside the near post following a left-wing cross from Chris Powell.
Teams
Coventry: Hedman, Telfer, Williams (Shaw 48), Breen, Froggatt,
Eustace (Gustafsson 71), McAllister, Palmer,
Normann (Delorge 78), Roussel, Keane.
Subs Not Used: Ogrizovic, Strachan.
Goals: Roussel 15, 21.
Charlton: Kiely, Shields, Rufus, Brown, Powell, Robinson,
Newton, Kinsella (Todd 41), Stuart (Salako 89), Pringle, Hunt.
Subs Not Used: Ilic, Konchesky, MacDonald.
Goals: Robinson 40, Newton 45, Hunt 88.
Att: 23,400.
Ref: D Gallagher (Banbury).
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