Chelsea go through despite keeper’s heroics

Coventry 0, Chelsea 2

TWO prospective managers may be having second thoughts after Chelsea’s

Scandinavian connection combined to ruin Gary Montgomery’s debut at

Highfield Road.

Roland Nilsson is expected to be installed as Coventry boss later this

week, and the watching Dave Bassett could be appointed even faster if

rumours linking him with Leicester prove correct.

But neither will have been too happy with the outcome of this Worthington

Cup fourth round clash.

Nineteen year old Montgomery will have been disappointed as well,

although the youngster made a couple of saves to be proud of during his

unexpected Coventry debut.

Nilsson has enjoyed an encouraging start to life on the managerial

treadmill, steering Coventry up the table as a temporary replacement

for Gordon Strachan. But the limitations of his side were exposed by crisp

Chelsea passing.

Bassett meanwhile, will have been given plenty to ponder, particularly as

star striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink remained on the Chelsea bench.

And when the likeable Londoner heard the outcome from Filbert Street, he

may wonder at the wisdom at the decision he is thought to have made.

Nilsson endured another new experience in his fledgling managerial career

when first choice keeper Magnus Hedman pulled out with an injury in the

pre match warm up.

Montgomery was handed his first team debut at 10 minutes notice and

promptly kept Chelsea at bay during the opening period with two smart

saves.

Coventry briefly rallied after the break when Lee Hughes was obstructed

by William Gallas as he entered the penalty area. But there was no

Beckham-esque free from Thompson, who blasted into the wall.

Chelsea immediately swept to the other end. Icelandic front man Eidur

Gudjohnsen opened Chelsea’s account after 55 minutes when he took

Zenden’s pass, weaved his way into the area and calmly lifted the ball

over Montgomery from 10 yards to bag his fourth goal of the campaign.

Then, after Forssell had wasted his first opportunity, the Finnish

striker looped a header over the stranded Montgomery after Zenden’s far

post cross had dropped beyond the Coventry defence.