Championship

COVENTRY duo Milan van Ewijk and Brandon Thomas-Asante risked enraging boss Mark Robins with a bizarre on-field game last night.The Sky Blues took on Blackburn at the Coventry Building Society Arena, with the visitors going into the night unbeaten this term.Milan van Ewijk was in action for Coventry against Blackburn last nightCredit: PABrandon Thomas-Asante was also in action in the Championship clashCredit: PARobins’ men have struggled so far this season, only winning one of their opening seven Championship games.But they produced a much-improved performance last night against John Eustace’s Rovers.With their side 2-0 up courtesy of goals by Jake Bidwell and Haji Wright, however, Van Ewijk and Thomas-Asante may have produced one small blot on Robins’ copybook.After Coventry earned a free-kick in a dangerous position, both men fancied a crack at goal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn order to decide who took it, the pair played rock, paper scissors.Van Ewijk, 24, came out on top – but could only strike his subsequent effort straight at goalkeeper Aynsley Pears.The Dutchman appeared to see the funny side, smiling after botching his attempt.But his manager may view things differently.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMark Robins’ side were in great form to beat BlackburnCredit: PABack in February, Robins threatened to kill Wright and Callum O’Hare after the duo used the same game to determine who took a penalty during a clash at Millwall.Even after Wright tucked the spot kick away, his boss said at the time: “Rock paper scissors? I’m going to kill them.Shocking moment Coventry boss wildly celebrates in ball boy’s FACE after FA Cup winner – then accuses him of ‘smirking'”For me, it’s about who’s confident to take the penalty. Now, Callum’s confident, Haji was a regular penalty taker in Turkey, so I’ve got no problem and then if I get involved with that then it obviously puts doubt in somebody’s head.”So, let them sort it out and if they miss it then they’re in trouble, aren’t they, but thankfully they’ve got the wherewithal and the calm heads to deal with that situation.”The good thing is they both want to score, they both want to take the penalty, they both want to get on the scoresheet.”Just four minutes after Van Ewijk wasted last night’s free-kick, Thomas-Asante scored to make the three points safe.Following his side’s 3-0 win, Robins said: “We were looking for a performance – and it was a big performance.”We played really well, but I think we’ve played well in a number of games this season.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I knew they were going to give a really good performance and that’s exactly what we got.”Coventry’s win saw them climb to 16th in the table after eight matches, while Blackburn missed the chance to go top.Coventry beat previously unbeaten Blackburn 3-0Credit: Rex More

LUTON fans were left furious after substitute Liam Walsh was sent off just seconds after coming on against Oxford.Walsh, 27, arrived on a free transfer in August having left Swansea at the end of last season.Liam Walsh enters the pitch in the 77th minute against OxfordCredit: X/ itvfootballLiam Walsh flies into a horror tackle 36 seconds after coming onCredit: X/ itvfootballLiam Walsh’s challenge left Siriki Dembele down in a heapCredit: RexWalsh was shown a straight red card by referee James BellCredit: RexLast night he replaced former Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba in the 76th minute, after Luton had surrendered a 2-0 lead at Kenilworth Road.Moments later things went from bad to worse for Rob Edwards’ side.Just seconds after being introduced, Walsh lunged in on Oxford substitute Siriki Dembele.Referee James Bell was given no option but to produce a red card.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe match went on to finish 2-2, leaving Luton 18th with just two wins from eight games.After the contest, Edwards told the BBC of Walsh’s red: “It’s probably some frustration at not starting or whatever it is.”The rush of blood can happen. No complaints. We probably looked better when we had 10 men, which is credit to the players.”Jordan Clark had given Luton the lead on 10 minutes after an Oxford defender had been pick-pocketed on the edge of his own penalty area.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTom Krauss then doubled the Hatters’ lead on 37 minutes with a smart finish.Oxford ace Tyler Goodrham gave his side a lifeline on the stroke of half-time with a magnificent curling finish.Former Chelsea star Victor Moses makes shock return to English football as fans say ‘this came out of nowhere’And Ruben Rodrigues then prodded the visitors level nine minutes after the break.The Hatters had gone into the match having been beaten 3-1 by Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle on Friday night.And fans were left further disgruntled by Walsh’s brief cameo.One harshly fumed: “@LutonTown get Liam Walsh out of my club.”While a second called it the: “World’s worst cameo.”A third joked: “Solid cameo for Liam Walsh tonight for Luton…”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd another blasted: “Liam Walsh should be deducted a week’s wages. Disgraceful.”Luton return to action against unbeaten Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday, with Walsh set to miss out through suspension.The midfielder trudged off the pitch just seconds after coming onCredit: GettyRob Edwards’ side surrendered a 2-0 lead at homeCredit: Rex More

PORTSMOUTH’S clash with Sheffield United descended into a bad-tempered melee after the final whistle.John Mousinho’s winless side held Chris Wilder’s promotion hopefuls to a 0-0 draw at Fratton Park.Portsmouth’s clash with Sheffield United descended into chaosCredit: PATempers flared between the rival playersCredit: PAIn the final act of the contest, the Blades thought they had earned a free-kick for a foul.Referee Matt Donohue instead opted to blow the final whistle, much to the visitors’ frustration.Sheffield United captain Vini Souza was particularly incensed, earning a yellow card for his protestations.Tempers then flared between members of both teams, with pushing and shoving matches breaking out.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis enraged members of the home support, with X-rated chants coming from the stands and a ball thrown towards the players.At one point home goalkeeper Will Norris was floored, before the melee was finally split up.After the game, Pompey boss Mousinho attempted to play the incident down, claiming: “It was nothing.”Wilder, meanwhile, was full of praise for the home side.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “It wasn’t our day and maybe we didn’t deserve it, that’s how the game goes.”Portsmouth were good and you have to give them credit. ‘Fan told me he was ‘****ing my mum’ | Gillngham’s Jack Nolan plays What the EFL?!”If they play like that for all their home games and their away games, they will get results and they will win games.”They will make it as difficult for other teams as they made it for us.”Teams will get beaten here if Pompey play like that all season.”The Blades boss, 57, then heaped praise upon goalkeeper Michael Cooper, who arrived from Plymouth Argyle last month.’TONGUE IN CHEEK’After Cooper completed a full month of clean sheets, Wilder said: “I found out today that my goalkeeper can make some saves, as he hadn’t had to make a save yet!“I’m being tongue in cheek, we knew he could make saves, but now he has proved it to everybody, including our coaching staff and supporters.“He’s played a part today. We brought him in to make saves and when he is, he is playing his part.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Everyone has to defend, it isn’t just the keeper and back four that have to stick their bodies on the line. We defend from the front.“We want to win games and take risks, we feel we are an attacking team, so to get those four sheets gives us a great base to move on.”Chris Wilder had his say after the feisty 0-0 drawCredit: PA More

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE star Ibrahim Cissoko has sung the praises of manager Wayne Rooney after he netted twice against Luton.Argyle beat the recently relegated side 3-1 last night to climb up to 14th in the Championship table.Plymouth Argyle boss Wayne Rooney predicted his sub would win him the gameCredit: PAIbrahim Cissoko was full of praise about his managerCredit: RexCissoko started the game on the bench – but came on after 58 minutes to wrap up the three points with two brilliant finishes.It was the 21-year-old winger’s third goal in seven league games this season.And Cissoko has hailed Rooney for his good start to the season, telling Sky Sports: “For me, he is the perfect coach because he lets me have the freedom to play.”And the Manchester United legend returned the compliment, saying: “He’s a fantastic player and he showed his ability tonight when he came on. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”It wasn’t so easy telling him he wasn’t playing.”But I felt late on in the game, I said to him yesterday, ‘Just trust in me, you’re going to come on and win us the game’. “It’s always great as a manager when that happens and it shows to be true.”On his side’s performance so far this campaign, Rooney added: “We were underestimated at the start of the season before we kicked a ball and then especially after the first game. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”But I think we’ve shown real character, we’ve shown the type of team we want to be, we’re getting the ball forward and creating chances.”It’s a big win for us against a good Luton team. It’s a big win for a lot of our young players. Wayne Rooney leaves pub-goers stunned as he turns up to mid-week karaoke session in Plymouth boozer”I was delighted for the lads tonight, delighted for the fans – great atmosphere again, so a great start to the weekend.”Perhaps Rooney will celebrate with another midweek trip the pub he was spotted singing karaoke in last month. More

LUTON TOWN boss Rob Edwards confirmed Tahith Chong is “a bit sore but fine” after his shocking collapse at Plymouth Argyle.Chong, 24, crumpled to the floor on Friday after sustaining a devastating blow to the head from an accidental collision with a Plymouth player and laid motionless just before half-time.Luton Town star Tahith Chong collapsed after a devastating collisionCredit: RexChong hurt his head just before half-time but walked back to the dressing roomCredit: PAMedical staff from both sides entered the pitch to help ChongCredit: Sky SportsLuton boss Rob Edwards confirmed Chong is ‘a bit sore but fine’Credit: RexMedical staff from both teams rushed to the winger’s aid and a stretcher was brought on to the pitch.Fortunately, the Dutchman made it back on his feet and walked to the dressing room unaided.Chong was replaced by Jacob Brown at half-time but the forward was seen with a large lump on the left side of his forehead as he exited the pitch.Nevertheless, Edwards confirmed the ex-Netherlands youth international is “fine”.Read More on FootballAnd Luton will check the full extent of the ex-Manchester United ace’s injury.Edwards said: “He’s up and about and fine.”So we’ll see the extent of it concussion wise. He was a bit sore but he’s fine.”Plymouth won the Championship fixture 3-1 at Home Park to record their third victory in nine matches under new manager Wayne Rooney, who lost four of the exchange.Most read in ChampionshipRami Al Hajj opened the scoring for the Pilgrims after just eight minutes.Ibrahim Cissoko doubled the lead in the 69th minute to put some distance.Troy Deeney talks to Luton Town’s Tahith Chong about his Man United mentorsBut ex-Chelsea ace Victor Moses put Luton back in the game just two minutes later.However, Plymouth left with the three points after Cissoko sealed a brace in the third minute of stoppage time.Chong joined Luton from Birmingham last year and has amassed a total of six goals in 46 appearances with the Hatters.The forward also underwent a six-year stint with United before joining the Blues in 2022.Chong was added to the Red Devils’ youth side in 2016 and earned a senior call-up three years later but struggled for a regular spot and was loaned out to Werder Bremen, Club Brugge and Birmingham.Chong spent six years at Manchester United before joining LutonCredit: PA More