Tyler Walker bags vital brace as Coventry capitalise on Brentford’s blip in form

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Tyler Walker topped off a terrific Coventry City cameo on Saturday afternoon as the hosts ended a five-game winless streak in the Championship.

Coventry City went into the encounter having failed to beat Brentford in six previous matches, drawing twice and losing four times. This was just another incentive, as three points were mandatory to bolster the Sky Blues’ survival hopes.

Regardless of falling way below their average ball possession, Mark Robins will be euphoric with his team’s performance as a unit, but the Sky Blues had one man to thank in particular – talisman Tyler Walker.

Rewarded from a relentless press, the breakthrough came for the hosts in the 19th minute. Max Biamou unleashed an effort at David Raya’s goal, which was originally parried, but the forward showed superb instinct to latch on to the loose ball before an on-rushing Rico Henry fouled the striker.

Walker took the responsibility from the spot, converting the penalty. Albeit a scuffed effort, enough pace was on the strike to go under a diving Raya.

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The former England under-20 forward doubled his afternoon tally ten minutes after the break.

Renowned for his sublime distribution, which it was on the whole, Raya misplaced a short goal-kick that was intercepted by Biamou. The intercepted ball fell kindly to Callum O’Hare, who played a cute ball inside towards Walker’s feet.

It was outstanding centre-forward play by the 24-year-old. Walker drifted inside, received the ball, and used his body efficiently to put Mads Bech Sorensen exactly where he wanted him. With just his second touch, he swivelled and struck the ball back across Raya, leaving the Spaniard no chance.

The former Nottingham Forest striker’s brace means he is now the joint-top goalscorer for the Sky Blues with five goals. Plus, Walker’s spot-kick maintained Coventry’s 100% record from the penalty spot.

Tyler Walker spoke after the game, delighted with the team, as well as his personal performance:

‘’It was a good three points. We’ve got a difficult run of fixtures so we need to make sure we get the right side of the results’’

‘’Shot and scored. (We) move on. Yeah, it’s one of them. Obviously the keepers do their homework and sometimes they guess, sometimes they know where you’re going but I’m glad it went in.

Walker had his take on his brilliantly taken second goal to complete his brace:

‘’It was a good bit of play… turned and shot and I’m fortunate it went in.

‘’We worked really hard today. We took the game to Brentford instead of letting it come to us and luckily it worked. We’ve got to build on it now and go again.’’

‘’Anyone can beat anyone in this league… we’ve got to not be scared and make sure we take the game to them. ‘’I believe in the team’’

‘’In a couple games time I’ll be 100%. Just good to get the minutes in and like I said, points on the board. It’s been stop start but hopefully I can get a run of games now. I’m happy to play wherever whenever.’’

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