Brighton give Coventry brutal reminder of Premier League ruthlessness

[Getty Images] Coventry's performances this season perhaps deserve more than their situation suggests. They pushed Manchester City close in a tight 1-0 loss last time out when they were unlucky not to leave Etihad Stadium with at least a point. But Frank Lampard said before the match against Brighton that this could be a more difficult task than the one against Enzo Maresca's side, and so it proved as the unwanted records accumulate. Their eight first-half chances yielded an xG (expected goals) of 1.09, their best of the season so far, but again a lack of potency in front of goal proved costly. Brilliant saves from Bart Verbruggen denied Jack Rudoni and Frank Onyeka on the volley, while Jack Rudoni also hit the side-netting. The hosts looked to get on the front foot in the second half too, but Malick Yalcouye's goal to double Brighton's lead, quickly followed by Taiwo Awoniyi's sending-off, was enough to sap the energy from the newly promoted side. The result was a brutal reminder of what can happen when things begin to spiral in this league and, having showed signs of promise last week, it served as a reality check for Lampard's team and highlighted how difficult staying up will be. Despite two late goals rubbing salt in the wound for the hosts, large sections of their supporters continued to serenade their players and manager at full-time in an attempt to galvanise their team in what will be a tough campaign.