Sunday 2 May: Daily Mail Online

Hornets sting sorry Sky Blues to finish season in style

COVENTRY tried to claw themselves back into the game but Clinton Morrison saw his effort blocked by Adrian Mariappa before David Bell shot wide of the left-hand post.

The Sky Blues continued to push forward, but were having no luck in front of goal as several efforts were blocked by the Watford defence, while Freddy Eastwood and Morrison both failed to hit the target.

But, despite all their chances, Coventry almost fell further behind as Lansbury's left-footed strike was parried by Westwood before captain John Eustace shot wide of the mark against his former club.

Coventry were again cursing their luck when they were forced into a change at half-time, with Sammy Clingan going off to be replaced by Carl Baker.

But that did not deter Coleman's men from pushing forward in search of a goal in the early stages of the second half as Morrison shot wide of the right-hand post and substitute Baker saw his effort blocked by Lee Hodson.

Watford almost increased their advantage with their first noteworthy effort of the half after 56 minutes.

Don Cowie latched onto Jon Harley's cross before firing an effort goalwards but, luckily for the hosts, Westwood was on hand to tip the shot round a post.

The Hornets finally added a third 12 minutes from time as Harley set up Graham to net his 14th goal of the season.

Sordell then scored the fourth three minutes later when he fired a right-footed shot into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Monday 3 May: The Sun Online

Coventry 0 Watford 4

CHRIS COLEMAN shrugged off calls for his head from angry Coventry fans by telling them: 'It's not all my fault.'

The Sky Blues ended the season with a whimper after being thrashed by a Watford side that had not won away since October.

Yet defiant Coleman said: "I've made mistakes but it's not just me.

"If the players haven't got a big enough pair of balls to play five good games out of six, then it is disappointing."

Danny Graham opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 15 minutes after being tripped by Leon Barnett.

Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury then doubled the lead from 25 yards a minute later.

And late strikes from Graham and Marvin Sordell completed the rout.

Hornets boss Malky Mackay, who had to play four teenagers, said: "These youth players will have to come through next season to replace the good players we've had to sell. We came here to put in a performance and finish on a high."

Sunday 2 May: BBC Sport Online

Coventry 0-4 Watford

Two goals in as many minutes helped Watford finish their season in style with a thumping victory over Coventry.

Watford went ahead when Danny Graham beat Keiren Westwood from the spot after being fouled by Martin Cranie.

The Hornets doubled their lead a minute later as Michael Bryan set up Henri Lansbury to lash in from 30 yards.

Jon Harley set up Graham to net his 14th goal of the season before Marvin Sordell completed the rout by firing into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Coventry boss Chris Coleman:
"There were no positives. It was an embarrassing end to the season.

"I'm doing something wrong - I am - but it's not all just me. I've got a great staff who work very hard but we need to make changes and that was evident.

"It is not good enough and I apologise. If I had been a supporter, I would have gone before the end."

Watford boss Malky Mackay:

"We were aiming to win, push higher up the league and put a performance in, and we did all three.

"It was great to get that win - not just for us, but for our supporters who have followed us all over the country.

"We had a structure about us and we were solid at the back."