Coventry maintain pole position and add to West Brom’s relegation worries

Sky Bet Championship leaders Coventry won away for the first time since November 25 as their 2-0 victory left West Brom deeper in relegation trouble at The Hawthorns.

Ephron Mason-Clark’s fifth-minute lob and a thunderous strike from Jack Rudoni in the 32nd minute made it consecutive wins for Frank Lampard’s side – and the first win on their travels in nine outings.

West Brom supporters chanted ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ and ‘Your football is s***’ at head coach Eric Ramsay.

Albion have not won in nine league games – eight of those have been under Ramsay – and they have not scored a league goal in 360 minutes.

Coventry took the lead with their first attack of the game, punishing Albion’s high defensive line.

Frank Onyeka won the ball in midfield, Milan van Ewijk sent a long ball over the top, and Mason-Clark chested it down before lobbing goalkeeper Max O’Leary, who got a hand to the shot.

Mason-Clark got the wrong side of Alfie Gilchrist, who tried in vain to clear the ball off the line and ended up in the back of the net. The former Peterborough forward’s seventh goal of the season was his first since Boxing Day.

Mason-Clark had the chance to make it 2-0 but he fired a rising drive comfortably over the bar from 25 yards.

Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth’s first action came on the half hour when he caught a mishit cross from Isaac Price.

The Sky Blues made it 2-0 with a memorable effort from Rudoni – the midfielder lashing a fierce drive into the top corner of the net from 25 yards after being allowed to run from inside his own half.

Right-back Gilchrist, who had caught Rudoni inside the penalty area moments before, suffered the indignity of being taken off before half-time when he was replaced by George Campbell in the 40th minute.

Albion’s first attempt on goal came with the last kick of the first half, a woeful effort from Jed Wallace that trickled well wide.

The hosts tried to take the game to Coventry after the restart and Alex Mowatt’s low drive was deflected wide.

But with little improvement, Ramsay made a triple substitution in the 61st minute. He brought on Daryl Dike, Mikey Johnston and Josh Maja for Aune Heggebo, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba and Wallace.

Johnston’s corner was headed over by Jayson Molumby as Albion tried to reduce the deficit.

Coventry head coach Frank Lampard made a double switch in the 71st minute, introducing Ellis Simms and Josh Eccles for Haji Wright and Rudoni.

Albion’s first on-target effort came in the 79th minute, when Price’s low angled effort was blocked at the near post after Dike crossed from the left.

Romain Esse’s shot was blocked by O’Leary as Coventry hunted a third goal and Victor Torp fired over the rebound.