Coventry City player ratings from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner hands out the scores from The Hawthorns
14:30, 21 Feb 2026Updated 14:47, 21 Feb 2026
Coventry City's Ephron Mason-Clark (hidden) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game with team-mates during the Sky Bet Championship match at The Hawthorns
Coventry City's Ephron Mason-Clark (hidden) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game with team-mates during the Sky Bet Championship match at The Hawthorns
Superb first half finishes from Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni set Coventry City on course for their first away win since November, and further strengthened their grip on top spot in the Championship.
Mason-Clark gave the Sky Blues the early advantage when he found the back of the net as early as the fifth minute as the visitors hit Albion on the counter attack – Milan van Ewijk hitting a long ball over the top for the winger to receive before lobbing the keeper.
Jack Rudoni then doubled the lead just after the half hour mark when he picked up the ball on the halfway line and drove forward before checking inside and hitting a screamer of a shot into the top corner.
The Sky Blues took their deserved and comfortable lead into the break and then set out to manage the second half, allowing Albion plenty of the ball and playing a game of containment while hitting them on the counter attack.
Ellis Simms and Josh Eccles provided fresh legs when they replaced Haji Wright and Rudoni with 20 minutes to go, with further changes helping to secure the win and clean sheet - the result coming as Coventry's first at The Hawthorns in the league since the early 1980s.
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STARTING FORMATION: 4-2-3-1
CARL RUSHWORTH: 6/7
Kicked and passed the ball well against West Brom’s high pressing pressure and took the ball well with his hands. Didn’t have a save to make in the first half. Made his first save in the 79th minute to denied an angled shot from Price.
MILAN VAN EWIJK: 7.5
Set up Mason-Clark for the opening goal with a ball over the top and defended really well, using his pace to good effect throughout.
BOBBY THOMAS: 7.5
Cleared threatening early balls into the box as he made a solid and determined start. A threat in the opposition box from set-pieces. Made a brilliant second half block to deny Johnston from a free hit at goal. Solid throughout.
JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE: 7.5
Physically strong and read the game well. Very disciplined in his positioning and worked well in tanden with Thomas. Solid throuhgout.
JAY DASILVA: 7.5/8
Continued to enjoy really good form, using his technical ability to good effect to help get City up the pitch while defending well when required.
FRANK ONYEKA: 7.5/8
Made a super sliding tackle to win possession and allow Milan to ping the ball up to Mason-Clark to score and put his foot in, making his presence felt. Excellent throughout to firmly establish himself as a fan favourite who have a new song for him.
MATT GRIMES: 7.5/8
Kept things ticking over in midfield where he read the game well and mopped up loose and second balls. Solid performance.
Jack Rudoni of Coventry City scores against West Bromwich Albion
Jack Rudoni of Coventry City scores against West Bromwich Albion(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock )
TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO: 6
Made a quiet start by his standards and was subjected to some early physical treatment fro the Baggies with no protection from the referee, leading to him complaining and earning a booking for dissent. Not as effective as Monday but worked hard throughout.
JACK RUDONI: 8.5
Worked hard in the final third where it got himself into pockets of space to help link the play and drove forward before hitting a screamer into the top corner to double City’s first half lead.
EPHRON MASON-CLARK: 7.5/8
Made a brilliantly timed run in behind to get on the end of a Milan ball over the top and chipped the keeper to give City the 5th minute lead. Always a threat down the left wing and worked hard when tracking back to help defend.
Ephron Mason-Clark of Coventry City celebrates his goal against West Bromwich Albion
Ephron Mason-Clark of Coventry City celebrates his goal against West Bromwich Albion(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
HAJI WRIGHT: 6
Pressed from the front and put himself about up front without really getting a look-in on goal. Decent shift overall before making way for Simms.
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SUBSTITUTES:
ELLIS SIMMS (71 mins, for Wright):
Added fresh legs and a fresh threat up top as well as more protection when defending set-pieces.
JOSH ECCLES (71 mins, for Rudoni):
Showed plenty of energy to help see out the win.
ROMAIN ESSE (77 mins, for Sakamoto):
Spent plenty of time in his own half helping City see out the win.
BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE (77 mins, for Mason-Clark):
Helped stretch Albion on the counter attack on his return to his former club.
VICTOR TORP (86 mins, for Onyeka):
SUBS (not used): Ben Wilson (GK), Liam Kitching, Luke Woolfenden, Jake Bidwell.
WEST BROM (4-2-3-1): Max O’Leary; Alfie Gilchrist (40 mins, for George Campbell), Krystian Bielik, Charlie Taylor, Callum Styles; Alex Mowatt, Jayson Molumby; Jed Wallace, Isaac Price, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba; Aune Heggebo.
SUBS (not used): Joe Wallis (GK), Nat Phillips, Josh Maja, Mikey Johnston, Daryl Dike, Ousmane Diakite, Danny Imray, Ollie Bostock.
GOALS:
ALBION:
SKY BLUES: Mason-Clark (5), Rudoni (32)
REFEREE: James Linington
ATTENDANCE:
NEXT UP: Sheffield United (a) Wednesday, February 25 (7.45pm).
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Our dedicated reporter Andy Turner - who you can follow on X - follows the Sky Blues home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.
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