Coventry City earned a hard-fought Championship point against fourth placed Swansea whom they more than matched every step of the way.
City started on the front foot from the first whistle, getting at their fourth placed opponents with bags of energy and determined possession in arguably their best start to a game since moving up to the Championship.
And that was confirmed in the 19th minute when the Sky Blues took a deserved lead from a terrific move and lovely finish from the boot of Jordan Shipley.
Matty Godden set up the goal after attacking down the right flank, cutting in towards the box and pulling the ball back to tee it up beautifully for the midfielder to hit a powerful first time strike with his left boot that had the keep diving to his right. But it flew beyond his reach, thumped the inside of the post and bounced in.
The home side continued to look good on their lead until the 40 minute mark when Marko Marosi was called into action for the first time, punching clear a threatening free-kick.
But two minutes later the ball was in the back of the net when Andre Ayew raced into the box and powered a low shot into the far bottom corner to ensure the two sides went in all square at the break.
City started the second half as they had the first, pushing forward and looking for a goal but the Swans gave a far better account of themselves as they began to enjoy periods of control execute their effective high press.
Shipley was forced off injured just after the hour, replaced by Liam Kelly, as Coventry continued to battle for a secod goal – Callum O’Hare going close when he went for a 50-50 with the keeper and the ball looped up over the bar.
Jamie Allen had the ball in the back of the net 11 minutes from time but the goal was disallowed for off-side from the initial ball into the box and City finished the stronger of the two sides as Ryan Giles forced Freddie Woodman into a good save at his near post.
There were further chances for Giles who had a shot cleared off the line before Ben Sheaf set up O’Hare who headed agonisingly wide at the far post in a hugely encouraging display.
STARTING FORMATION: 3-4-2-1
MARKO MAROSI: 7
Kicked well when he had to and was well protected in the opening 39 minutes when he wasn’t tested once as City forced the visitors back. Punched clear Swansea’s first real attempt on goal from a 40th minute free-kick and had no chance as Ayew raced through and thumped home two minutes later. Made a decent save to deny Korey Smith midway through the second half.
MICHAEL ROSE: 7
Solid and confident throughout, defending well and playing the occasional sublime forward pass to spring attacks from the back.
KYLE McFDZEAN: 7
Organised and vocal at the back, the experienced centre-half led by example with a calm head and controlled aggression
DOM HYAM: 7.5
Won his early individual battles, reading the game exceptionally well as Swansea were limited to the occasional counter attack in the first half.
SAM McCALLUM: 7
Looked after the ball well and look right at home out of position on the right, where he impressed at Brentford at the weekend. The wing-back defended really well at times in a highly competitive display. Understandably ran out of steam on his first start.
BEN SHEAF: 7
Put himself about doing the dirty job in midfield and not afraid to get the occasional shot off when the opportunity arose. Made a brilliantly timed tackle to deny a certain Swansea chance after the break and helped City to a strong finish.
JAMIE ALLEN: 7.5
Deployed deeper in a more holding role alongside Sheaf, the experienced midfielder worked hard in the midfield battleground where he won more than his fair share of headers and got a foot in to nick possession. Terrific shift in an unfamiliar role.
RYAN GILES: 7
Got forward early and sent in some decent crosses on the run, one with pinpoint accuracy to O’Hare who was unable to convert with his head. Denied twice late on by the keeper and one cleared off the line.
JORDAN SHIPLEY: 8
Provided bags of energy from the first whistle as City pressed high up the pitch and gave City a deserved lead with a lovely first time strike with his left foot that beat the keeper and bounced in off the inside of the far post. Forced off injured on 64 minutes.
CALLUM O’HARE: 7
Busy and energetic from the off, the attacking midfielder was a real nuisance in the final third and pressed brilliantly when he had to. Could have snatched a late winner but headed wide.
MATTY GODDEN: 8
Displayed great energy and movement and set up Shipley for his goal with a lovely pull-back. Held the ball up well when he received it with his back to goal and involved in the thick of the action throughout.
SUBSTITUTES:
LIAM KELLY (64 mins, for Shipley): 6.5
Added a calm head and fresh legs amid increasing pressure from the visitors.
JOSH PASK (79 mins, for McCallum): 6
Added fresh legs and energy as City finished the game strongly.
Subs (not used): Ben Wilson (GK), Leo Ostigard, Josh Pask, Amadou Bakayoko, Max Biamou, Gervane Kastaneer.
SWANSEA CITY (3-4-3): Freddie Woodman; Ryan Bennett, Marc Guehi, Ben Cabango; Connor roberts, Korey Smith, Matt Grimes, Jake Bidwell; Andre Ayew, Viktor Gyokeres (HT, for Jay Fulton), Jamal Lowe (64 mins, for Liam Cullen).
Subs (not used): Steven Benda (GK), Ryan Manning, Yan Dhanda, Kyle Naughton, Kasey Palmer.
GOALS:
SKY BLUES: Shipley (19)
SWANSEA: Ayew (42)
REFEREE: Keith Stroud
NEXT UP: Blackburn Rovers (St Andrew’s) Saturday, October 24 (3pm).
