Four things you missed from 'hapless' West Brom defeat at Coventry - including laughable first-half moment

West Brom were outclassed at the Coventry Building Society Arena, dominated by the Sky Blues in the first half, unable to mount a comeback in the second period and thwarted by a red card for Callum Styles. Goals from Jack Rudoni and Matt Grimes sealed a 2-0 win for the hosts but it easily could’ve been by a bigger margin on another day as Frank Lampard’s men were comfortable throughout.

Rudoni took just six minutes to break the deadlock for Coventry as the midfielder swept the ball into the net from a low Haji Wright cross. Albion right-back Darnell Furlong failed to stop the delivery from Wright and Alex Mowatt’s attempt to clear was hopeless as the ball easily made its way through to Rudoni, who struck fiercely into the bottom left-hand corner.

West Brom responded poorly to going a goal down as Coventry had the lion’s share of possession and were able to keep the ball out of their defensive third for most of the rest of the first half. Coventry very nearly made it two before the break, too, as Liam Kitching’s header from point-blank range was saved acrobatically by Josh Griffiths.

Coventry started the second period even quicker than they did the first as Grimes doubled his side’s lead in the 48th minute. John Swift, who had only just been substituted on by Mowbray, was dispossessed in his own box by Grimes, who composed himself to slot the ball into the bottom right corner.

Then, just as you thought it couldn’t get any worse for the Baggies, Styles was sent off in the 51st minute for a second bookable offence. The left-back was bypassed by Milan van Ewijk and tugged on the Coventry man’s shirt, leaving referee Craig Pawson very little choice but to reach for his pocket for a second time.

West Brom didn’t concede again after their sending-off, at least, but there was very little sign of a fightback as the players looked resigned to defeat. Mowbray chopped and changed by using the rest of his substitutions but it was to no avail as Coventry easily held on for the three points.

Albion knew coming into the game that they simply couldn’t lose, or else the gap to Coventry would be effectively insurmountable. That worst fear has now been realised as the Sky Blues are now six points ahead with just three games to go, while fifth-placed Bristol City are seven clear of the Baggies following their 2-1 win over Sunderland.

Whether you were in attendance at the CBS Arena or were watching from home, there will have been a few moments or trends you may have missed from the game. Here’s a run-through of four that Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden spotted from the press box.

Poor focus to blame

In any Championship game, let alone one as decisive as this, focus is paramount. West Brom, used to the intense demands of play-off battles, should know this better than most, but the opening goal was an example of a defence completely going to sleep. The communication wasn’t good enough, either, as the Sky Blues were able to play straight through them.

Coventry linked up well on the edge of the area, in fairness, but Albion should’ve at least made a conscious effort to defend. Isaac Price and Darnell Furlong couldn’t decide who was following Wright, and, by the time the Coventry winger advanced into the box to drill the ball into the danger area, it was too late. Mowatt’s lack of focus was clear to see, too, as the midfielder half-heartedly flopped a leg at the cross.

A lapse of concentration was to blame for Albion’s red card, too, as Styles was caught out of position and seemingly forgot about the potential consequences of a shirt tug when already on a yellow card. The Baggies already looked dead and buried at 2-0 down but the red completely ended their chances of coming back into the encounter.

Laughable set piece routine

About 10 minutes into the game, when Albion were already 1-0 down, Mowatt and Price stood over a free-kick in a dangerous area - about 25 yards out and just to the left - and tried to fool the Coventry defence with a series of fake run-ups to the ball.

Mowatt and Price took turns to dummy two or three times each before Mowatt eventually swung a terrible, overhit cross behind for a goal-kick. It was a wasted opportunity and the showboating beforehand was lapped up by the Sky Blues fans, who mocked the West Brom duo for their antics.

That moment rather summed up West Brom’s attacking efforts - or rather lack of - in the first half as Tony Mowbray’s men failed to even lay a glove. Kyle Bartley had Albion’s only shot on target of the first 45 and it was a weak header, easily saved by Brad Collins.

Price struggles in midfield double pivot

Signed in January from Standard Liege, Price has been a shining light even when West Brom have faltered. His best performances have arguably come in the number 10 and right-back positions, however, with his new role in the midfield double pivot perhaps not suiting his strengths.

Either that, or the balance isn’t quite right alongside Mowatt. It has the potential to work, as shown in last week’s 2-1 home win over Watford, but Coventry were able to completely outrun Price and Mowatt as Albion’s deepest-lying midfielders. Frustration quickly crept in for the pair - especially Price - as they often tried to force passes through gaps that didn’t really exist.

As mentioned previously, Price was caught in a bit of a mix-up with Furlong for the opening goal but his struggles didn’t stop there, as there were several other instances he lost out in duels. The Northern Ireland international conceded two sloppy fouls and gave away possession far more than usual. Mowbray understandably decided to hook him at the break.

Josh Griffiths the only positive, and that’s scraping the barrel

As Albion’s performance was so hapless, it will be easy to forget the promising showing from young goalkeeper Griffiths. He may have conceded two goals and won’t have anything to show for it, but two big saves stopped Coventry from further worsening West Brom’s goal difference.

This was only Griffiths’ third start following his loan recall from Bristol Rovers and he impressed with two important stops. The first was the brilliant reaction save from Kitching’s header as he adjusted his feet and leapt into the air to tip the ball over. The second was immediately after half time as Jay Dasilva’s powerful cross arrowed towards the top corner, but Griffiths did well to adjust and get a fingertip to it.

Admittedly, picking out a goalkeeper who let in two goals as the standout performer really is scraping the barrel, but West Brom were truly that unconvincing. Mowbray now has a huge job on his hands to get anything out of this season. It could already be over, in truth.