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RON Atkinson’s spectacular transformation of Coventry City rose to ever greater heights last night when a superb hat-trick by Peter Ndlovu earned them a tremendous victory over Liverpool.
A Jan Molby penalty and a last-minute own goal by David Burrows were more than Roy Evans’s team deserved.
Although most of the early running was made by a Liverpool, Coventry gave ample warning that they had every intention of extending Atkinson’s unbeaten record since taking over from Phil Neal. Paul Cook had brought a marvellous reaction save from David James before Ndlovu beat the Liverpool goalkeeper for the first time midway through the first half.
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Mike Marsh, a former Anfield favourite, set up Dion Dublin in front of goal but he mis-kicked before his blushes were spared as Ndlovu nipped in behind him to drive the ball home.
Coventry took a firmer grip on the game after Dublin got the better of John Scales in an aerial duel near the halfway line and Marsh, taking his nicely weighted pass in full stride, flicked the ball past the advancing James.
When the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands made contact with Marsh’s ankles, the nippy striker needed no invitation to plunge headlong on to the turf and Ndlovu gratefully dispatched the penalty.
The mood of the match was changed after the break with a second penalty when Fowler was pushed going for a cross from Mark Walters.
The Kop at last burst into life as Molby – making his first appearance since November – drove in the spot-kick. It proved a false dawn for Liverpool for, five minutes from time, Ndlovu completed his hat-trick.
Liverpool were flattered by a late goal as Molby’s free-kick was diverted in by the head of Burrows.
Copyright- The Daily Telegraph
Bongani Ndlovu