Coventry City player ratings from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner hands out the scores from the CBS Arena
17:04, 07 Feb 2026Updated 17:31, 07 Feb 2026
Matt Grimes of Coventry City looks dejected after his missed goal scoring opportunity
Coventry City had to settle for a point against second from bottom Oxford United on a difficult afternoon in front of goal.
Haji Wright and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto were denied by goalkeeper Jamie Cumming as City dominated in a frustrating game when the home side struggled to make their authority count against the U’s who ended the match with ten men.
Ten attempts but only three on target amid 67 percent of the ball was the story of the opening 45 minutes when the U’s didn’t have a single effort on target.
The home side made a lively start to the second half when a pull-back from Victor Torp resulted in Michal Helik testing his own keeper while Wright headed over and Romain Esse was denied by an impressive reaction stop.
Wright missed a golden opportunity in the 66th minute when he headed wide at the near post from a free-kick, while Esse had a shot blocked on the line from another second phase from a set-piece as the Sky Blues’ frustrations continued.
United were then reduced to ten men in the 77th minute when sub striker Will Lankshear was shown a second yellow card for taking out Joel Latibeaudiere as he attempted to barge his way through.
The visitors continued to frustrated by putting bodies behind the ball as Frank Lampard’s men piled on the pressure but couldn’t find a way through.
STARTING FORMATION: 4-2-3-1
CARL RUSHWORTH: 6
Rarely had a save to make as City dominated at the CBS Arena but commanded his area and released the ball early to get City up the pitch. Played sweeper keeper for much of the second half.
MILAN VAN EWIJK: 6
Lively going forward where he caught the eye early on when he stole possession high up the pitch to set up Haji for an attempt on target.
LUKE WOOLFENDEN: 6.5
Made a rare start in place of the dropped Bobby Thomas and acquitted himself well with a calm and steady presence in the first half. Helped keep a welcome clean sheet.
Oxford United’s Michal Helik (second left) and Coventry City’s Joel Latibeaudiere clash heads
JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE: 6.5
Also making a rare start in for the dropped Liam Kitching, the centre-back kept things simple with a safety first approach. Played his part in a steadying clean sheet.
JAY DASILVA: 5.5/6
Made a really good, solid tackle to deny a counter attack. Got his positioning wrong when Placheta was played clean through for Oxford’s only real chance of the first half.
MATT GRIMES: 6.5
Kept City ticking over with plenty of time on the ball and playing simple but effective passes to retain possession. Hit a powerful shot just wide
VICTOR TORP: 6.5/7
Played some clever passes to work the ball wide to spark attacks on his return to the starting line-up and hit a first time shot just wide of the target.
Coventry City midfielder Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (7) under pressure from Oxford United defender Ruben Roosken
TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO: 6.5/7
Made a quiet start to the game but grew into it nicely with some clever combinations with Van Ewijk and was denied a goal by a really good save just after the half hour when he turned smartly in the box to get a shot off. Played Haji clean through, only for the striker to hit the side netting.
JOSH ECCLES: 6
Put himself about in pockets of space as he operated in the number ten slot in place of rested Rudoni in a frustrating first half. Put in a terrific deep ball for an Esse chance in a decent shift.
ROMAIN ESSE: 6/7
Deployed wide on the left to cover for the injured Ephron Mason-Clark and showed flashes of nifty footwork as he drifted about all over the forward line. Denied by a really good save in the second half when he had a powerful shot blocked on the line. Too many fancy flicks but City’s biggest goal threat on the day.
HAJI WRIGHT: 6
Made his presence felt with some powerful running and tested the keeper early on with a low shot to the near post. Sent a near post header wide from a Torp free-kick as his frustrating afternoon in front of goal continued after the break. Played through by Tats but thumped the side netting.
Haji Wright of Coventry City(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
SUBSTITUTES:
JACK RUDONI (70 mins, for Torp): 5.5/6
Showed some nice touches as City pushed for a winner.
ELLIS SIMMS (81 mins, for Eccles):
MIN-HYEOK YANG (90 mins, for Esse):
Subs (not used): Ben Wilson (GK), Jake Bidwell, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Bobby Thomas, Liam Kitching, Frank Onyeka.
OXFORD UNITED (3-4-2-1): Jamie Cumming; Christ Makosso, Michal Helik, Ciaron Brown; Sam Long, Cameron Brannagan, Jamie McDonnell, Ruben Roosken; Przemyslaw Placheta, Myles Peart-Harris; Aidomo Emakhu.
Subs (not used): Matt Ingram (GK), Will Vaulks, Yunus Konak, Mark Harris, Ole Romenji, Brodie Spencer, Will Lankshear, Ben Davies, Joen Jin-Woo.
GOALS:
SKY BLUES:
OXFORD:
REFEREE: Ruebyn Ricardo
ATTENDANCE: 30,218 (1,156 away)
NEXT UP: Middlesbrough (h) Monday, February 16 (8pm).
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