Coventry City player ratings from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner hands out the scores from Ashton Gate
17:07, 07 Mar 2026Updated 17:23, 07 Mar 2026
Goal 0-2 – Haji Wright (11) of Coventry City scores the second goal against Bristol
Coventry City made it five wins out of five in dramatic game at Bristol City where both sides ended the game with 10 men.
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto headed City into the lead in the 37th minute but the visitors suffered a set-back six minutes later when Joel Latibeaudiere was red carded for a last man foul on Robins’ striker Emil Riis.
That resulted in Ephron Mason-Clark making way for Liam Kitching to plug the gap at the back before the Sky Blues added to their lead in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time. Sakamoto won the ball on the break and slipped it to Haji Wright, who turned his man in the box and hit a precise finish past the keeper to give Frank Lampard’s men a 2-0 lead at the break.
Jake Bidwell was sent on to replace Sakamoto for the second half as City switched formation to a back-three, and then there was a second red card of the day when Adam Randell was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Josh Eccles. The 56th minute dismissal for the hosts meant the sides were even with 10 men each for the remainder of the game, which was a largely backs-to-the-wall affair for Coventry, who were forced to defend in numbers.
Carl Rushworth made a couple of decent saves to protect City’s lead as the game drifted into seven minutes of added time at Ashton Gate.
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto of Coventry City scores a goal 0-1.
STARTING FORMATION: 4-2-3-1
CARL RUSHWORTH: 8.5
A calm presence in the box where he commanded his area very well throughout and amid some intense pressure in the second half. Made a good save to deny Scott Twine in the second half and made another at full stretch to deny Bird pulling one back with 20 minutes to go. Made another top save to deny Twine in stoppage time. Superb throughout.
MILAN VAN EWIJK: 6.5/7
Nipped in to intercept forward passes well and defended reasonably well, forced to stay back quite a bit amid Bristol’s first half pressure. Helped get City forward on the break in a second half of containment.
LUKE WOOLFENDEN: 7
Made a shaky start as he failed to read the bounce to allow Armstrong a shot but grew into the game and dealt with most of the danger that came his way. Organised and disciplined on a decent return to the side.
JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE: 5
Had his work cut out trying to contain Armstrong when the striker drifted to his side early on but read the game well and used his body to shield and protect the ball well. However, was sent off for a last man challenge on Riis just before the break.
Joel Latibeaudiere of Coventry City leaves the field after his red card
JAY DASILVA: 6.5
Made an important block to deny Emil Riis’s shot worrying Rushworth early on. Got forward well on the overlap to support attacks with Mason-Clark. Struggled to cut out the threat down the right at times but dribbled into the box to set up Sakamoto for his headed goal.
MATT GRIMES: 7
Forced to drop deep and defend a fair bit in the first half as City had to defend and soak up plenty of pressure. Terrific shift, as usual and came into his own as City managed the second half brilliantly.
VICTOR TORP: 5.5/6
Slow to get going and make an impact and suffered a knock in the 27th minute from a nasty looking challenge from Randell, who was booked. Work-man-like but eventually went off, looking to be struggling with the injury.
TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO: 7.5
A decent outlet down the right but a little frustrated as he was out-numbered by red shirts closing him down. Headed City into the lead in the 37th minute from close range and had a hand in the second.
JOSH ECCLES: 7.5
Slotted straight back in, covering lots of ground, competing well and making good use of the ball. Decent shift, full of heart and determination.
EPHRON MASON-CLARK: 6.5
Like Sakamoto on the other side, had several red shirts all over him every time he ventured forward down the left. Had a hand in the build-up to Sakamoto’s goal.
HAJI WRIGHT: 7
Led the line well, pressing from the front and denied by the keeper with an angled shot. Scored City’s second when he turned his marker and slotted low past the keeper.
SUBSTITUTES:
LIAM KITCHING (45 mins, for Mason-Clark after Latibeaudiere’s red card): 7.5/8
Got straight into the game and showed real aggression and determination to defend City’s lines and see out the result.
JAKE BIDWELL (HT, for Sakamoto): 7
Added plenty of no-nonsense steel as City tightened up at the back to see out the result.
ELLIS SIMMS (77 mins, for Wright): 6.5
Added fresh legs to stretch Bristol on the counter while providing an extra defensive body when defending set pieces. Denied by the keeper from a decent shot.
FRANK ONYEKA (77 mins, for Eccles): 6.5
Helped see out the win by getting a foot in as city protected their lead.
BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE (83 mins, for Torp):
Subs (not used): Ben Wilson (GK), Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Romain Esse, Jahnoah Markelo.
BRISTOL CITY (3-4-1-2): Radek Vitek; George Tanner, Noah Elie, Neto Borges; Mark Sykes, Jason Knight, Adam Randell, Cameron Pring; Tomi Horvat; Emil Riis, Sinclair Armstrong.
Subs (not used): Joe Lumley (GK), Max Bird, Scott Twine, Delano Burgzorg, Sam Bell, Seb Naylor, George Earthy, Marley Thelwell.
GOALS:
THE ROBINS:
SKY BLUES: Sakamoto (37), Wright (45+6)
REFEREE: Matthew Donohue
ATTENDANCE: 23,493 (3,409 City)
NEXT UP: Preston North End (h) Wednesday, March 11 (8pm).
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