Coventry came up against a spirited Peterborough team that offered up a reflection of Coventry's performances last season.
Though Coventry had 8 shots (1 on target) there was not a strong flow of possession toward the Posh goal. As Coventry searched for a way through, there came success with a quick build from McFadzean. When the ball is played inside by Kane to O'Hare, the run from Allen allows for a split pass. However, there was no space as Allen is forced wide and the following attempt to get the ball back in from a Kane cross is easily claimed by Cornell.
Peterborough dropped off when Coventry had the ball and it was difficult to play through as Coventry lost the ball 11 times. Some of the success for Coventry came from Allen or McFadzean playing diagonal passes over the organized center of the field. Allen drops for the ball in this moment, but the ball forces Maatsen to check his run and it allows Posh to recover. The quality just lacked as Coventry searched for a way through.
In fact, Posh had more of the ball (55%) but failed to really threaten Coventry with just 1 shot off target.
Here you can see the Posh build-up with the back four and two holding midfielders. At times it looked like Coventry last season with the structure failing ahead of the ball. Notably, Peterborough played 240 backward passes to Coventry's 174.
When Posh did break into the Coventry half, they were facing an organized defense that were rarely troubled, even though they were buoyed by Clarke-Harris' ban being overturned.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Coventry purposefully conceded more possession.
Peterborough had 60% of possession when Coventry scored three goals. Whilst Posh were methodical in their approach, it became predictable and Coventry were able to turn on the quality and punish this team in a way that they often experienced last season.
The prime example was the first goal.Coventry were defending a corner and the half started almost identical to the first. Fairly open, but even.
Hamer picks up the ball inside the Coventry 18.
Just 7 seconds later, Coventry have fashioned a 5v4 and Peterborough are disorganized. The overload works as Coventry jump on a cleared ball as Posh clear the ball off the line, but the deflection finds Hamer who puts it away. The counterattack was devastating.
The second goal is another example, as Coventry, with their tails up play a direct ball from Maatsen into Waghorn. Hamer powerfully heads the ball into the path of Kane as the Posh scramble to get organized. The backline has been pulled out as Butler attempts to win the ball. Coventry, with the width from Kane, can capitalize and the cross in is tapped in by Gyokeres.
It was hard on Peterborough as they went toe to toe with Coventry in the first half. They controlled a lot of what Coventry did in the game, but Coventry capitalized on the opportunities that came their way.
Coventry went top for moments until WBA secured a strong come-back win over a team that shut Coventry out. This was a potential banana skin for City, but given the strong season-opening, it was never really in doubt. There is momentum, and Luton will look to upset the party on Wednesday.
Stats from whoscored.com
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