Coventry City player ratings as Thomas

Brandon Thomas-Asante bagged a brilliant brace – scoring his seventh and eighth goals of the season – to give Coventry City their fifth consecutive Championship win in a frantic encounter against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

The in-form forward scored either side of the break as Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues strengthened their grip on top spot before conceding a late consolation goal when Makenzie Kirk lobbed goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.

Ellis Simms was denied from close range in an early chance for the visitors while at the other end Regan Poole headed wide from a free-kick as both sides had chances to take the lead in an end to end encounter on the south coast.

City appeared to have a huge let-off when Jay Dasilva appeared to raise his hand to block a Yang ball into the box but the referee waved play on amid calls for a penalty. Yang was involved in another penalty appeal before the break when he was tackled by Bobby Thomas in the box, rolling around and appearing to be hurt but man in the middle Gavin Ward awarded a corner instead.

The breakthrough came on the half hour mark from a Matt Grimes’ corner which was floated deep to the back post where Thomas headed it back across goal to Simms. The striker then directed a powerful header towards the bottom corner where Thomas-Asante hooked it over the line to give Frank Lampard’s men the lead.

Pompey launched a predicted second half fight-back but the Sky Blues took the sting out of that with a brilliant counter attack goal that started with Grimes clipping a clearance to Simms on the halfway line by the dugouts. The striker brilliantly controlled the ball under pressure, leaving his marker on the deck and then played a sublime angled pass to send Thomas-Asante clean through on goal. The in-form forward then coolly slotted past the keeper to extend City’s lead with 56 minutes on the clock.

Thomas-Asante was then denied his hat-trick 15 minutes from time when he first rattled the cross bar before latching onto the loose ball and seeing his low curling effort saved low by the keeper.

Kirk scored a stoppage time consolation goal to make for a nervous end but City saw out a brilliant away win.

STARTING FORMATION: 3-4-3

CARL RUSHWORTH: 8.5

Came out to collect high balls from set pieces and kicked pretty well, going long when required. Tipped over brilliantly to deny Swift and equaliser. Made a couple of early routine saves as Pompey launched their second half fight-back. Got City’s all-time record for going over 608 minutes without conceding before letting in one deep in stoppage time.

BOBBY THOMAS: 7.5

Defended well in the first half when he blocked, headed and cleared when required and had a hand in the opening goal with a far post header from a deep corner. Slid in on Yang in the box amid appeals for a pen which went unheeded.

LUKE WOOLFENDEN: 7.5

Made a calm and assured start at the heart of the back three where he slotted in seamlessly with a good understanding with Thomas and Kitching either side.

LIAM KITCHING: 7

Read the game well and helped organise the back three while showing plenty of aggression and determination to win his individual battles. Slipped to let in Kirk for the late consolation but solid overall.

MILAN VAN EWIJK: 7.5

Deployed as a wingback and used his pace to good effect as he got up and down the pitch in an often frantic first half. Did an excellent job defending wide man Yang, having the measure of the player in terms of speed.

MATT GRIMES: 7.5/8

Mopped up and make excellent use of the ball, occasionally pinging long diagonals to find the wide men and sent in the corner for the goal that put City in front. Played some lovely long passes to create openings.

VICTOR TORP: 6.5/7

Sent in a decent set-piece deliver to spark an early chance for Simms. Worked hard but a bit bogged down in a scrappy midfield battle at times in the first half.

JAY DASILVA: 7

Pompey attempted to play long diagonals over Dasilva’s head to exploit their right flank on a night when the Coventry defender operated as a wingback. Lucky not to concede a penalty in the 16th minute when he raised his hand to block a cross.

BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE: 8.5/9

Deployed wide on the right of a front three and showed loads of energy, buzzing about trying to find pockets of space and openings for his fellow forwards. In the right place at the right time to send Simms’ header over the line to give City the lead on the half hour. Almost scored just before the break when he was denied by a good save by the keeper. Played clean through by Simms and slotted coolly past the keeper for his second and 8th of the season to pull level with Haji Wright as joint leading scorers in the division. Hit the bar with a brilliant volley and followed up by being denied by a good save as he went in search of his hat-trick.

ELLIS SIMMS: 8

Went close at the near post from an early Torp corner on a night when he led the line well, showing his strength and power. Had a decent shot blocked off the line in the 20th minute. Held up the ball well with his back to goal. Played a key role in the opening goal with a smart header to the far post where BTA hooked over the line. Controlled brilliantly near the dugouts and played Thomas-Asante clean through on goal to score City’s second.

Terrific shift and two assists from the big man.

EPHRON MASON-CLARK: 6.5/7

Burst down the left in the second minute and hit a powerful shot into the side netting as he set out his early intentions. Lively going forward and worked hard tracking back to help defend.

SUBSTITUTES:

TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO (63 mins, for Mason-Clark): 6.5

Added a fresh threat on the flank to give Pompey more problems.

JAMIE ALLEN (75 mins, for Torp): 6.5

Displayed a terrific first touch and added energy and nous to see out the game.

KAINE KESLER-HAYDEN (88 mins, for Van Ewijk):

JAKE BIDWELL (88 mins, for Dasilva):

Subs (not used): Ben Wilson (GK), Miguel Angel Brau, Haji Wright, Kai Andrews, Josh Eccles.

PORTSMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Josef Bursik; Zak Swanson, Regan Poole, Josh Knight, Connot Ogilvie; Andre Dozzell, Marlon Pack; Conor Chaplin, John Swift, Minhyeok Yang; Colby Bishop.

Subs (not used): Ben Killip (GK), Adrian Segecic, Florian Bianchini, Hayden Matthews, Luke Le Roux, Ibane Bowat, Mark Kosznovszky, Terry Devlin, Makenzie Kirk.

GOALS:

POMPEY: Kirk (90+6)

SKY BLUES: Thomas-Asante (30, 56)

REFEREE: Gavin Ward

ATTENDANCE: 20,321 (2,186 City)

NEXT UP: Watford (h) Saturday, October 25 (12.30pm).

Who was your man of the match? Click HERE to have your say.

Every day, the CoventryLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Coventry City content.

Our dedicated reporter Andy Turner - who you can follow on X by clicking here - follows the Sky Blues home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.

So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur - that's why we have produced a daily newsletter which you can sign up to, for free, and which means you'll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox. Sign up to the City newsletter here .

Click here to read article