A truly memorable night at Old Trafford for the Sky Blue Army as Coventry caused a League Cup upset and destroyed the Premiership champions in the Theatre of Dreams.
Sadly, having sold out our away allocation (11,500 seats), I had to sit in the North West stand with the prawn sandwich eaters and endure the passionless atmosphere. Nonetheless we had a great view, heard the Coventry fans outsing the United ones, and witnessed a truly great performance.
City started brightly and didn't seem unnerved at the big occassion in front of 75,000 fans. Isaac Osbourne won every ball that came near him, Leon Best held up the ball well and had a chance to put us ahead but lashed over from just outside the area.
United were slow off the block and their team, costing over £50m, rarely threatened. Nani was woeful having one shot almost hit the corner flag! The Brazilian, Anderson looked better taking time in possession and making some clever passes but never threatening the away end.
Coventry, meanwhile, passed the ball well and waited patiently for an opening, and after 27 minutes received their just reward. Best received the ball on the right running goalwards and made a slide rule pass to Michael Doyle. His cross from the left was low and hard finding none other but the Maltese international Michael Mifsud who slid in from close range.
It was a great goal and I found it very hard to contain my joy sat with all those reds. The East stand errupted and I knew we had a game on our hands. Surely United's response would be swift and decisive. But it was Coventry who threatened to score just a minute later when Robbie Simpson, making his first start of the season chased a ball out wide on the right and crossed in for Mifsud again. His back-heel was an audacious effort and hit the far post - the keeper would have had no chance.
The home side were toothless in attack and were almost made to pay again when Simpson received the ball only to shoot over Kuszczak's bar. I was in shock, one goal up at Old Trafford with chances going spare!
In the second half Alex Ferguson rang the changes bringing on Wes Brown and Michael Carrick for some of his inexperienced youngsters. Evidently, the team Sir Alex played was not good enough to win the league cup as he had predicted in his pre-match comments and he was forced to act.
Andy Marshall was forced into a fine save by Dong as his shot looked to be heading into the top corner, but thankfully his fingerstips reached the ball. Coventry defended well, something quite surprising given they conceded 8 in the previous 3 matches. A 4-1 defeat at Portman Rd, 1-1 at Palace and a 3-0 home drubbing at the hands of Bristol.
Iain Dowie's post-match comments at Ipswich were unconvincing.. "We had a defensive blip" - or two, or three! In this match, he was proved right as Sky Blue back line looked organised, worked hard and played effectively. Other than Osbourne's contribution, Elliot Ward's return to the fold was a relief. A first start for Ben Turner seem not to phase him and Borrowdale seemed fairly comfortable too.
Coventry finished off Man United in the 70th minute with a defensive clearance ending up on the left wing. Mifsud's electrifying pace was too much for United as he latched onto the ball, beat a man, played it infield to Jay Tabb. His touch found Mifsud who fired high into the net. 2-0! Game over.
This was an awesome night and gives Coventry fans hope. Twenty years ago we won our last silverware at Wembley - I won't make any predictions for this season but this kind of performance can only give us heart for the rest of the season. Following 5 years of division one football we may have finally found a manager who can get the best out of his players. It's early days yet, but the Sky Blues can be proud. Especially this one who lives in Manchester and can recall this moment for many years to come.
