Outclassed and outplayed by outstanding opponents

Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and admit you had no answers to a far superior side.

That was the case last weekend as Coventry romped to a 4-1 success at the Weston Homes Stadium, a scoreline that only flattered Posh given the visitors also hit the woodwork twice and forced a couple of outstanding saves from Dai Cornell in the second half alone.

And yet it was also a selfinflicted defeat. Posh presented Coventry with two goals in the opening 25 minutes and the third, when it eventually arrived after non-stop Sky Blues pressure, nine minutes from time was an own goal from Nathan Thompson.

But claims of misfortune would be badly misplaced. Posh didn’t look too bad in possession in the opening 45 minutes and pulled a goal back thanks to a sumptuous strike from Joel Grant eight minutes before the break.

But they didn’t threaten again, not helped by a subdued, lacklustre display from star man Siriki Dembele. Posh manager Darren Ferguson was so irritated by what he saw he hauled Dembele off after 59 minutes thus sacrificing whatever chance Posh had of getting back on terms. It was a long-shot even with Dembele as he can’t commit sorcery without the ball and the relentless press, superb movement and sheer speed of the visitors ensured they kept it for lengthy periods.

Cornell should have saved the 30 yarder that Gustavo Hamer opened the scoring with on 16 minutes and Bali Mumba was caught in possession to enable Matt Godden to finish gloriously for number two nine minutes later.

Grant’s fabulous effort gave Posh hope, but it was battered out of them in a most one-sided half. Jamie Allen and Callum O’Hare both hit the same post eight minutes apart and Cornell saved thrillingly from Jordan Shipley and Allen. Allen had missed a sitter in the first-half, but once Thompson had diverted his cross into his own net it truly was game over.

Godden added a fourth after a neat set-up from substitute Victory Gyokeres, soon after the latter had come close to contributing a goal of the season contender on the volley. That was one of 22 shots Coventry had on goal - or roughly one every four minutes. Total domination.

Coventry had 22 shots on goal, roughly one every four minutes!

Siriki Dembele during the defeat by Coventry.