Team
Westwood, Keogh, Cranie, Hussey, Gunnarsson, Clingan, McSheffrey (Baker 65), Bell, Jutkiewicz (Platt 81), King. Subs Quirke, O'Halloran, O'Donovan, Deegan, McIndoe
Portsmouth
Ashdown, Halford, De Laet, Heidarsson, Hogg, Mullins (sent off 68), Kitson, Rocha, Ward (Lawrence 60), Webber (Cotterill 74), Nugent (Dickinson 83). Subs Kanu, Flavhaven, Mokona, Citici
HT PFC 0-1 CCFC FT PFC 0-3 CCFC ATT 13,132
Goals Marlon King (18 & 68 pens), Gary McSheffrey (57)
Referee D.Whitestone Booked Rocha, Nugent, De Laet, Cotterill, Bell
Man Of The Match - Sammy Clingan took the votes on a night of many candidates.
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When Coventry City have beaten a side at home on the opening day of the season, 50% of the time, they have gone on to record an away victory and it happened again as the Sky Blues put in their best performance of the season to win 3-0 at Portsmouth.
With that in mind, we travelled down to the naval city on a sunny afternoon, and got to Fratton Park in plenty of time to see Andy Thorn name the same team that had started against Derby on Saturday.
There were over 400 City fans to see Portsmouth have a rare full compliment of substitutes for this match between two sides who have had more to worry about off the field than on it.
The City fans were in fine voice, as the Sky Blues wearing the home shirts and black shorts attacking the end. Our songs about following the City away and Take Me Home Highfield Road were booming out of the Milton End as City dealt with a first minute corner,Westwood saving a ninth minute header and Webber scooping over the bar.
Once the likes of Richard Keogh, Hussey, Gunnarsson, Clingan et al had got their early touches in, they settled into the groove, playing the free flowing football that is a joy to watch and had those not ridiculing Aidy Boothroyd, demanding that Andy Thorn be given the job on a full time basis.
In the 18th minute, it was pandemonium in the away end as Gary McSheffrey danced his way into the penalty area and was just about to shoot when he was pulled down.
Referee Mr Whitestone who has yet to officiate in a City defeat, awarded a penalty. Upstepped MARLON KING and he scored at the end where the sun was setting.
Although the odd ball was given away, Hussey or one of the other defenders was always on hand to clear and get the ball to Clingan, who bossed the midfield, or Bell to try and pick out the front two.
King was in fine form, having shots in the 27th minute and three minutes later when he just missed the far post.Westwood saved from Webber before Nugent span to turn the ball into the net in the 39th minute, only to have his effort ruled out by the assistant in front of the Fratton Park Main Stand.
After I had been congratulated on winning the Football League Fan Of The Year by Portsmouth FC, a gesture I very much appreciate, City were back for the second half looking to get the job done.
Six minutes in and Lukas Jutkiewicz got in a great left footed drive which was brilliantly pushed over by Ashdown for a corner.
When Clingan's flag kick came in, Gunnarsson got in a header which crashed onto the bar.
GARY MCSHEFFREY had his foot trodden on and was struggling but the immense Richard Keogh got down the right and whipped over a delightful cross right for McSheffrey to head home from close range before celebrating in front of the jubilant City fans.
With "Thorn In" chants coming from the City fans, McSheffrey lasted until the 65th minute before he had to be replaced by Carl Baker.City pressed once more and won a 67th minute corner which Baker took. The ball fell to Jutkiewicz who hit a shot which was blocked by Hayden Mullins.
Mr Whitestone awarded a penalty and whilst we were celebrating most of the City support missed Mullins being sent off. Something which seemed harsh considering he was not the last man.
MARLON KING, who ran himself into the ground, stepped up again and beat Ashdown and the smiles on our faces and the elation in the away end told you that it was 3-0 to City.
Some Pompey fans headed for the exits and missed Dave Kitson at the back stick missing a great chance.City replaced Lukas Jutkiewicz with Clive Platt and although, Keiren Westwood, who again had demands from the City fan to sign him up, made two world class saves late on, this was Coventry's night and a wonderful victory was duly celebrated by the City support.