Boss heaps praise on Sky Blues after Chelsea defeat

Mar 13 2009

By Darren Parkin

CHRIS COLEMAN paid tribute to his battling Sky Blues and their magnificent supporters after watching their FA Cup dream ruthlessly trampled by Chelsea. The Coventry boss was disappointed at the defensive errors that gifted the Londoners their opening goal and angry at referee Steve Bennett for his part in the counter-attack that settled the issue in the second half. But he admitted that Chelsea fully deserved to secure their semi-final spot – and insisted that there was no disgrace in being outclassed by one of the best teams in the world. “Chelsea are a top-quality side who paid us the compliment by fielding the team they did,” he said. “They came here on the back of five straight wins in the Premier League and Europe and they didn’t rest  anybody so we always knew it was going to be difficult. “For us to get a result we needed them to have an off day and they didn’t – they were bang on. “It’s a shame because there was a brilliant atmosphere; and the fans were different class. They were desperate for us to do well, willing us to get a goal but it just didn’t happen. “They deserve a game like that for the support they gave us. Well done to them and well done to the players, because they couldn’t have done any better, given any more – they maxed out!” Coventry’s giant-killing hopes were dealt a savage blow in the second half when Didier Drogba, playing as a lone spearhead because of Nicolas Anelka’s injury, punished some hesitant defending to power through and claim his third goal in four matches. “They’re good enough to create their own goals so we didn’t need to give them any help,” said Coleman, “but we gifted them one. “It was a bit of nerves on our part. We knew we were going to be stretched against a team like that and you just hope you can ride your  luck a little bit. But losing 1-0 at half-time was OK – we felt that we could get a few moments attacking our end and if we could have got a goal, who knows?” In the event, Coventry’s only threatening moments came from Aron Gunnarsson’s prodigious long throws. And that weapon backfired bizarrely when Chelsea claimed their second goal 20 minutes from time. Drogba and Brazilian centre-back Alex had to leave the field after a penalty-area collision left both of them requiring treatment. That left Chelsea down to nine men as they defended Gunnarsson’s throw, but they cleared the danger and charged upfield for Alex to ram home the clincher. “We had an advantage then but that was nobody’s fault and you can’t wave players straight back on in a situation like that,” said Coleman – “the referee has got to see where the ball’s going to bounce. “It was a clinical counter attack and a great finish by Alex but I was disappointed with Mr Bennett. In fact I was disappointed with him all afternoon and so were my players with his attitude towards us and them. “He was too smug towards us and very, very friendly with Chelsea. I know they’re a great team who deserve respect, but he let us know that in no uncertain terms. “Sometimes you can be in awe of great players but he had to do his job. “That’s not why we lost – we lost to a better team, but they didn’t need any help.” Coleman, however, had no complaints with the referee’s decision to ignore City’s penalty appeals when John Terry clearly pushed Leon Best in the back. “I can’t say it was a penalty, if I’m honest,” he said. “It’s a contact sport and if he had given a penalty it would have been harsh.” Coleman adapted his usual 4-4-2 tactics with Freddy Eastwood playing behind front pair Best and Clinton Morrison. “We tried to get Freddy to sit on Jon Obi Mikel for the first half and break off him,” he explained; “it worked OK but it’s very difficult when you are playing teams like that.  “It’s not so much they’re bigger and stronger, it’s the fact that they think quicker – their movement is so good. With teams like Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, the man on the ball doesn’t dictate the pass it’s the man making a good run. “That’s the difference between good players and great players or decent players –  and that’s the reason why they are where they are.” City will now turn their attention to the bid to join that company with two crucial Championship games in the space of four days. “If we want to play against teams like that every week it’s league points that count,” said Coleman. “We’ve got to keep our focus, get back to the bread and butter, get some points.”