Jack Rudoni converted a sixth-minute penalty to hand Coventry a 1-0 lead over Newcastle, after goalkeeper Hornicek was caught slow off his line — a moment that commentators immediately branded a complete mess from the Newcastle keeper.

Hornicek hesitated when he should have charged out to close the angle, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot. Rudoni stepped up with composure and fired the ball home, giving Coventry an early platform to build from.

The goal, coming inside the opening ten minutes, set a nervy tone for Newcastle and handed the home side the initiative in what promised to be a tightly contested fixture.