Another strangely lethargic West Ham display saw them slump to their second defeat of the season against enthusiastic, but limited opponents.

Defensive anxiety and lack of creativity in midfield highlighted the areas where Alan Pardew must strengthen his squad if promotion is to become anything more than a wish.

And the loss of Steve Lomas - red-carded for a needless show of petulance in stoppage time - will do little to enhance their immediate prospects.

Hammers did make the brighter start, and almost profited from some panicky defending by their hosts on six minutes.

Goalkeeper Scott Shearer flailed a clearance straight to Teddy Sheringham, but the experienced striker couldn't control it quickly and lifted a gentle lob back to the relieved keeper.

With Stephen Bywater looking nervous under crosses, Hayden Mullins giving away cheap possession and Anton Ferdinand betraying some questionable positional sense, it seemed that an opening goal would soon come for City.

Against the run of play, though, it was Hammers who went in front on 42 minutes.

Nigel Reo-Coker showed the heart to win a loose ball on the right-hand side of the Coventry box, and did brilliantly to dodge and weave through a crowd of defenders and see himself through on goal.

Bizarrely, keeper Shearer and the remaining Coventry stoppers froze as if anticipating a decision that was never going to bail them out, and Reo-Coker had time to pick out the unmarked Sheringham who tapped home at the backpost.

The lead proved short-lived. Rufus Brevett was cautioned for a cynical foul on Hughes and presented Coventry with a free kick 20-yards out, slightly to the right of centre.

Up stepped Michael Doyle to curl a sublime left-footed effort which gave Bywater no chance and levelled the match in first-half stoppage time.

In the second-half it was Coventry who found the winning goal. Hughes was left in far too much space and he whipped in a great cross for Andy Morrell to acrobatically plant a volley beyond Bywater from 14 yards.

Published Tuesday August 31, 2004

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