Coventry–Newcastle (4–1): Chérif sets Sky Blues on their way
A won penalty, then a goal straight after the restart: Sidiki Chérif was central to Coventry's win over Newcastle on Monday. The newly promoted side still had to see off a fightback before making the difference with their substitutes.
Contribution SNA · Author profile · · Updated 31/10/2026 19:04 UTC
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Sidiki Chérif gave Coventry two chances to take control of the game. The first ended at the penalty spot, the second in the back of the net. On his first Premier League start, the Conakry-born striker helped the Sky Blues to a 4–1 win over Newcastle on Monday 12 October 2026. It was Coventry's first home win of the season.
Chérif won a penalty in the opening minutes after contact with goalkeeper Lukas Horníček, and Jack Rudoni converted it in the sixth minute. Newcastle then had the ball and chances to get back into the game, but Bobby Thomas denied Matias Fernandez-Pardo an equaliser, clearing his shot off the line after the forward had rounded Coventry goalkeeper Rushworth.
Chérif scores, but the game stays open
In the 48th minute, Chérif scored his first Premier League goal, a shot from the edge of the area making it 2–0. Aged 19, the former Angers player who has also been at Fenerbahçe had a decisive night for Coventry. He did, however, pass up a chance to extend the lead further, missing the target from close range.
That cushion became precious when Sven Botman pulled one back with a long-range strike in the 70th minute. At 2–1, Coventry had not yet won it. Newcastle finished with 19 shots to nine and about two thirds of possession, but both teams had six shots on target. The final score therefore does not tell the story of a night without danger for Frank Lampard's side.
Substitutes end Newcastle's comeback
Ellis Simms, who came on for Chérif, restored the two-goal lead in the 81st minute. Stephen Mfuni, also off the bench, scored the fourth five minutes later. Coventry then had the cushion that Newcastle no longer had the time to overturn.
After that second consecutive win, the promoted side had six points from six matches and climbed to 14th place. For Chérif, the value of this first start goes beyond the goal: he also won the penalty that opened the scoring. Newcastle remained on eight points after that defeat.
Read the report in French on SNA.
File photograph of 5 August 2026: Zafer Batık (User:Zafer), original on Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Original framing preserved, with the SNA logo added; photographic adaptation under the same licence. The SNA brand retains its own rights.
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