Substitute Shaun Goater took Manchester City into the fifth round of the FA
Cup with a dramatic winner in the third minute of injury-time.
Goater, who had replaced Paulo Wanchope in the 71st minute, powered a header
beyond keeper Magnus Hedman from Tony Grant's corner.
It was a sickening blow for Coventry and ugly scenes followed Goater's goal.
Police and stewards moved in to break up fights between rival sets of fans.
It was a bad-tempered end to a game that was always short on entertainment.
John Eustace should have sewn things up for Coventry but was out of luck.
Under-pressure Coventry manager Gordon Strachan recalled Swedish keeper Magnus
Hedman to his starting line-up. Hedman was brought in for Chris Kirkland, who
had to settle for a place on the bench.
Marcus Hall made his first start for the club since September following a knee
injury.
With Moustapha Hadji and Youssef Chippo on international duty and David
Thompson suspended, Strachan was forced to field a depleted side.
City were without Steve Howey and Danny Tiatto, who were both serving
suspensions. Andy Morrison and Danny Granville returned to the side while Tony
Grant was preferred to Gerard Wiekens.
City began positively and defender Richard Dunne tried to thread the ball
through to Darren Huckerby in the fifth minute.
But Hedman spotted the danger, raced out of his area and booted the ball to
safety.
City moved forward again and Danny Granville's cross found Huckerby but his
first touch let him down.
Coventry almost scored in their first attack after 11 minutes of the game.
Jay Bothroyd skipped away from Nicky Weaver but Scotland defender Paul Ritchie
got in a face-saving tackle for the home side.
Hedman had to look alert in the 15th minute to scramble away a misplaced back
header from Coventry team-mate Gary Breen following a throw-in from Alfie
Haaland.
A minute later Coventry were inches away from making the breakthrough when
John Eustace's effort thumped the post after a clever drag-back by Craig
Bellamy.
It was a wonderful piece of skill from Wales striker Bellamy and Coventry were
growing in confidence.
Hall showed good skill for Coventry to get away from Spencer Prior and sent in
a low, teasing cross into the area.
Weaver failed to collect but City managed to scramble the ball away with
Bellamy on hand for any slip-ups.
The home side were again forced on the back foot and Lee Carsley floated a
cross into the back post.
Eustace got away from his marker to get in a header but it drifted wide of the
target.
City were struggling to cope but surged forward on the half hour. Grant found
himself clear on the edge of the area but his weak shot did not trouble Hedman.
City manager Joe Royle decided to shake things up in the 33rd minute, bringing
on Laurent Charvet for Ritchie.
Carsley got back for Coventry to distract Grant as he shaped to shoot
following a cross-field ball from Morrison.
Coventry, however, still looked threatening every time they pushed forward.
Bellamy sent a header narrowly over the top following a cross from Marc
Edworthy.
Then Weaver managed to flick away a shot from Bothroyd after Bellamy had
carved out the opening.
Granville got away down the left for City two minutes after the break and
delivered a good cross which Paul Williams steered to safety.
The pace of Granville was causing Coventry problems and Richard Shaw was happy
to whack away a low cross from the youngster.
Granville was beginning to make an impact and Hedman made a fine block from
his well-directed 20 yard free-kick.
It was a bright start to the second half by City and Coventry were looking
less assured.
Coventry began to play with a bit more spirit and Bellamy skipped away from
Richard Dunne. But Weaver got down quickly to smother the ball.
Dunne then needed brief treatment after he was hurt clearing a dangerous cross
from the live-wire Bellamy.
Dunne came off shortly afterwards with the Dutchman Wiekens his replacement.
Central defender Morrison came up with the attack as Grant swung in a corner
from the right but Hedman took his header comfortably.
City striker Paulo Wanchope was clearly unhappy at being replaced by Shaun
Goater in the 71st minute.
He exchanged angry glances with the coaching staff before heading off straight
down the tunnel.
Eustace should have sewn it up for Coventry with two minutes to go but somehow
headed wide in front of the posts from Bothroyd's cross.
Royle's decision to bring on Goater paid dividends in the third minute of
injury-time.
Goater got on the end of Grant's corner to power a header beyond Hedman and
stun Coventry.
Teams
Man City Weaver, Morrison, Prior, Ritchie (Charvet 33),
Dunne (Wiekens 67), Granville, Haaland, Whitley, Grant,
Huckerby, Wanchope (Goater 71).
Subs Not Used: Wright-Phillips, McKinney.
Goals: Goater 90.
Coventry Hedman, Edworthy (Telfer 81), Breen, Williams, Shaw,
Eustace, Carsley, Quinn, Hall, Bellamy, Bothroyd.
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Aloisi, Delorge, Guerrero.
Booked: Breen, Williams.
Att: 24,637
Ref: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).
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