Sheff Wed 1-1 Coventry: Kasey Palmer boos in FA Cup fourth-round tie condemned by Sky Blues manager Mark Robins
Match report as Sheffield Wednesday claimed a 1-1 home draw against Coventry to earn an FA Cup fourth-round replay; Djeidi Gassama scored a late equaliser to cancel out Victor Torp's stunning opener on the stroke of half-time on his Coventry debut
Saturday 27 January 2024 07:20, UK
Coventry City manager Mark Robins condemned "disgraceful" boos aimed at Kasey Palmer as they drew 1-1 at Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup fourth round.
Djeidi Gassama forced a replay with a late equaliser for Wednesday after Victor Torp had marked his Coventry debut with a stunning opener on the stroke of half-time.
The match came less than a week after the sides met in the Championship, which was marred by allegations of racist abuse towards Coventry striker Palmer.
Both clubs condemned the alleged abuse earlier this week and a man was arrested on Thursday, while Palmer was booed by a section of Wednesday fans during this latest encounter between the two sides.
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- Infantino calls for automatic forfeit when fans commit racist abuse
- Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday condemn alleged racist abuse aimed at Palmer
On the reaction Palmer received, Robins said: "He's playing football. We're in a game where we work really hard, and they come out to entertain people and it shouldn't happen.
"It's a disgrace, the reaction was a disgrace, people need to take a look at themselves, what are they doing, ridiculous, it was an absolute joke.
"Kasey is a football player, he has a family, he just wants to enjoy his football like."
How Sheffield Wednesday battled to a replay...
Coventry striker Matt Godden wasted the first real chance when he fired the ball over the crossbar from inside the penalty area in the 19th minute.
The Owls responded through Gassama's low shot before Palmer was jeered by the home support when he blazed an effort over from close range.
Palmer had opted to start the tie after being given the choice by Sky Blues boss Mark Robins, who made six changes.
Coventry broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time as Torp announced his UK arrival in style.
There appeared little danger when City skipper Ben Sheaf laid the ball on 25 yards from goal, but Torp rifled a right-footed shot into the roof of the net.
Palmer was booed again by home fans early in the second half as he earned a booking for his challenge on Momo Diaby before Wednesday's Ike Ugbo, making his first Owls start, twice went close to an equaliser.
His angled effort from the edge of the area struck the outside of a post and - moments later - he toe-poked a ball into the box narrowly over.
Coventry goal scorer Torp was given a rousing send-off by the visiting end when replaced by Bobby Thomas in the 62nd minute, while Palmer was loudly booed by home supporters when replaced by Jamie Allen soon after.
Wednesday pressed for an equaliser without creating clear-cut chances before Gassama rescued his side in the 84th minute.
He cut inside on the edge of the area to fire a low shot in off a post, but it took a brilliant late save from Wednesday's debutant goalkeeper Pierce Charles as the teenager blocked Coventry substitute Jamie Allen's fierce effort.
What the managers said...
Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl: "We deserved the draw - we invested a lot in this game as well.
"I think we did well in the second half, always on the front foot, and the first half was OK.
"All in all we can improve in the final third in some situations, we have to find the smart pass to create more chances.
"The replay is not easy as you have one more game but this is football, we have to do it and take the good things from this game."
Coventry City boss Mark Robins: "If you can't win, don't lose. We bring them back to our place and we will have a right go.
"I thought the game was scrappy. The pitch was difficult, and they make it difficult with the way they set-up.
"We took the lead through an unbelievable strike, brilliant goal. We could have capitalised on other chances and Ellis (Simms) has had one in the second half that stands out and if we take that we go on and win, but we didn't manage to do that.
"They come back into it and their player has a shot from the edge of the box that takes a deflection and beats Ben, but then we go down the other end and we could've snatched it, but their keeper makes a good save to deny Jamie Allen.
"I thought there was some bits of quality from us and that was the tale of the game really."
What's next?
Sheffield Wednesday are back in Sky Bet Championship action on Wednesday January 31 when Watford are in town.
Coventry also play in midweek against Bristol City on Tuesday January 30.
