Mowbray keeps focus on promotion

TONY MOWBRAY is so determined to erase the memories of last season’s play-off final that he views the FA Cup as an unwelcome distraction.

But after this stunning demolition, they are at risk of emulating the West Bromwich Albion team of 1931 that achieved the distinction of lifting the cup and promotion in the same season.

Mowbray is the sort of person that makes Morrissey appear positively joyous and is adamant that elevation to the Premier League remains the main priority but his effervescent entertainers will be one to avoid when the draw is made today.

“Let’s hope we can follow in their [the 1931 team] footsteps,” said Mowbray. “It’s going to be very difficult with Manchester United and Chelsea. You’ve got to be realistic and know any draw against either of them would probably be the end.”

Roman Bednar was unplayable, and it was his work that allowed Chris Brunt to head the opener.

While the 48th-minute dismissal of Michael Doyle for a lunge at Zoltan Gera disrupted managerless Coventry, it hardly swung the game. An aberration from Andrew Marshall, the Coventry goalkeeper, allowed Bednar to score the second before he registered his 13th of the season with a penalty, after Arjan De Zeeuw’s handball, with late goals from substitute Ishmael Miller and Gera completing the rout.

COVENTRY (4-4-2): Marshall 5, Osbourne 5, Ward 6, De Zeeuw 5 (Birchall 75, 5), Hall 6, Simpson 4 (Thornton 75, 5), M Hughes 7, Doyle 5, Tabb 6, Mifsud 5, Best 6.

Subs Not Used: Konstantopoulos, Gray, Borrowdale.

WEST BROM (4-4-2): Kiely 6, Hoefkens 7, Barnett 8, Albrechtsen 7, Robinson 7, Filipe Teixeira 6 (Kim 74, 5), Morrison 7, Pele 6, Brunt 7, Gera 7 (Beattie 79, 5), Bednar 9 (Miller 70, 6).

Subs Not Used: Danek, Phillips.

REFEREE: Mark Halsey (Lancashire) 7: May have seemed a little hasty by dismissing Michael Doyle early in the second half but was faultless throughout in a game free of niggles.

MATCH RATING: *** West Brom remain the Championship’s great entertainers and a semi-final place is not beyond them. For Coventry, they now have the grim prospect of a relegation battle to look forward to.