Derby County 1 Coventry City 1: Matt Godden’s sublime strike cancelled out by controversial Derby penalty.

Credit: Barrington Coombs/PA Wire

By Cesar Medina

The Sky Blues failed to beat last placed side Derby County at the Pride Park Stadium this weekend as they continue to chase a playoff place. 

As the score line suggests, the game was evenly matched with both sides taking a point although Wayne Rooney’s side just edged Coventry on possession of the ball, shot attempts and pass attempts with most of their attacks coming in from the right-hand side through Derby’s youngster Malcolm Ebiowei. 

Despite what the stats may suggests, Coventry City were the more aggressive side with more clear-cut chances, especially from counter attacks, which led Matt Godden to hit a wonderful first time strike off a neat one two with Callum O’Hare to put Coventry 1-0 up at the 28th minute.

However, Derby took advantage of Coventry’s lack of finishing in the final third and stayed in the game until Tom Lawrence broke the deadlock through his penalty in the 67th minute. 

The Sky Blues believe that there was not enough contact on Tom Lawrence as Ben Sheaf fouled him in the box with Coventry City manager, Mark Robins, calling the decision, “harsh.”

Rooney, happy with the penalty, was not happy with Darren Bond’s decisions throughout the game saying, “It’s not good enough.”

He adds: “the referee might walk off and say, ‘I have gifted them a penalty’ when we should’ve had three.” 

With just seven games left of Derby County’s season, Wayne Rooney feels “positive” going into to the last stretch as his team fights to stay in the championship next season. Derby host Preston on April 2nd for their next match.

Coventry City sit eleventh in the table with six points away from a playoff spot and have eight games remaining with their next league tie coming up against sixth placed Blackburn Rovers on April 2nd at home.