League Cup Coventry City ... 1 West Ham Utd ... 2 The League Cup offered Coventry City no respite last night. The Championship club are plagued by financial ills and an indefatigable effort against West Ham merited a place in the quarter-finals, not the cruel injury-time elimination Iain Dowie's side had to endure as Carlton Cole pilfered the winner.
Extra time was the least Coventry deserved. So impressive were they it was difficult to tell which club belonged in the Premiership, though the dominance that had preceded Jay Tabb's 68th-minute goal would count for nothing. Luis Boa Morte's shot deflected off Marcus Hall to throw West Ham a lifeline and when Cole picked Ben Turner's pocket, the visitors had secured their place in the last eight.
Coventry's belief was evident in the opening skirmishes as the home side started brightly.
Michael Mifsud was an effervescent presence up front, while alongside him Leon Best gave able support and a threat that promised goals. Coventry were enjoying themselves as the West Ham manager, Alan Curbishley, struggled to contain his anger.
The break could not come soon enough for West Ham and there was more purpose about them following the restart but the lead would soon be Coventry's. Isaac Osbourne was allowed time to float a perfect pass toward the far post, where Tabb headed emphatically beyond Wright.
It was a goal that finally roused West Ham from their torpor, the Premiership side bringing parity within three minutes after Boa Morte's volley from just inside the penalty area ricocheted off Hall and past Andy Marshall before Cole struck the winner.
COVENTRY CITY: Marshall, McNamee, De Zeeuw, Turner, Hall, Tabb, Doyle, Osbourne, Gray (Simpson 46), Mifsud, Best (Kyle 70). Subs not used: Ward, Cairo, Thornton. Booked: Osbourne.
WEST HAM UTD: Wright, Neill, Ferdinand (Gabbidon 85), Upson, McCartney, Bowyer, Noble (Pantsil 61), Mullins (Spector 46), Etherington, Boa Morte, Cole. Subs not used: Green, Reid. Booked: McCartney, Neill, Spector.
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire).
