Coll’s saved Tykes day
MARKUS SCHOPP broke his duck as Barnsley boss – thanks to a last-gasp penalty stop from keeper Brad Collins.
Dominik Frieser’s (above) first-half strike was the difference.
But it was down to Collins’ stop from Coventry’s Viktor Gyokeres after Jamie Allen was tripped by Jordan Williams.
The Tykes welcomed home fans to Oakwell for the first time in 16 months and Schopp was delighted with their passion in South Yorkshire.
He said: “It was great to play in the stadium with supporters, we enjoyed every second even though it was a tough game today.
“The fans came back with passion and they were expecting something, it was so important for us to give them that feeling we’ll give everything.
“It was very naive to play how we played five minutes before the end, it’s something we have to improve, it’s important to get the three points but we know we’ve got to do better. “Goalkeepers always dream about moments like that, to save a last-minute penalty, he’s always very focused and he gave something special today.”
Coventry failed to repeat an opening-day win and rued missed chances after Gyokeres had hit the bar in the opening half an hour.
Gustavo Hamer also saw a stunning free-kick tipped over by Collins as Grieser’s 39th-minute strike after being played in by Romal Palmer won it.
City boss Mark Robins said: “We dominated from start to finish, conceded a really poor chance, have to be more clinical in the final third and take the chance from 12 yards.
“We should have made more of our dominance, we have to find a pass in the penalty area to make something happen and be calm, we lacked that today.”
BARNSLEY: Collins 6; Sibbick 6, Helik 7, Kitching 7; Brittain 6, Styles 6, PALMER 8 (Benson 63, 5), B. Williams 5 (J. Williams 70, 5); Morris 5 (Oduor 33, 6), Woodrow 6, Frieser 6.
Unused Subs: Walton, Halme, Moon, Adeboyejo
COVENTRY: Moore 6; Dabo 6, Rose 6 (Clarke-salter 77, 6), Mcfadzean 7, Hyam 6, Maatsen 6; Sheaf 5 (Allen 77), Hamer 7, O’hare 6; Walker 5 (Waghorn 17, 5), Gyokeres 6. Unused Subs: Wilson, Dacosta, Shipley, Jones.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Romal Palmer. Played with elegance and class throughout before being substituted.
REFEREE: John Busby 6.