Everton ease past Coventry

Kevin Campbell (centre) was goal maker and taker

Coventry 1-3 Everton

Everton cruised to victory in the battle of the relegation rivals as Coventry City boss Gordon Strachan was left in crisis at Highfield Road.

Angry Coventry fans vented their fury on under-fire Strachan and the club's board of directors as they were left deep in trouble by another damaging defeat.

Stewards had to prevent a small group of Coventry fans from confronting Strachan at the final whistle as tempers boiled over in the stands.

But a group stayed behind to demand Strachan's dismissal as Coventry contemplate another grim fight against the drop.

We are devastated and embarrassed by that, and we leave ourselves open to all the criticism we get

  Coventry City manager Gordon Strachan

Everton shrugged off the crippling injury list manager Walter Smith has labelled the worst in his career to stroll into a three-goal lead at half time.

Scot Gemmill and Danny Cadamarteri struck twice inside the first 15 minutes - and Kevin Campbell added a third to effectively end the contest.

Lee Carsley pulled a goal back with four minutes remaining from the penalty spot - but it was hardly a consolation after a dreadful Coventry display.

It was a miserable afternoon for Strachan as he came under verbal attack from the Highfield Road faithful as Coventry tamely accepted defeat.

Cadamarteri - on target

Everton's injury problems saw them reduced to only 11 senior professionals - but they produced a first half display that made light of such problems.

Smith's side even overcame losing Sweden international Niclas Alexandersson and Alec Cleland through injury in the opening 45 minutes to leave Coventry in disarray.

Everton were given a flying start by Gemmill as Coventry were stunned in the eighth minute.

The lively Cadamarteri slipped the Scottish midfield man in with an astute through ball, and Gemmill, who scored against the Sky Blues on Boxing Day, easily beat Chris Kirkland.

And things got better for Everton - and worse for £8m-rated Liverpool transfer target Kirkland - six minutes later when the Merseysiders doubled their advantage.

Strachan - under fire

Alexandersson was the provider, allowing Cadamarteri to turn comfortably inside the area and score.

Strachan attempted to shore up his side's defence after minutes, sending on Carlton Palmer to replace Muhamed Konjic.

It will be a roller coaster season for us, one of those where we just have to struggle through

  Everton manager Walter Smith

It had little effect, because four minutes later Everton were in a position they could barely have dreamed about as they added a third.

Youngster Phil Jevons - on for Alexandersson after he was stretchered off with an ankle injury - did the ground work and the ball fell for Campbell, who scored at the second attempt from close range.

Smith - relief at last

Everton's third goal was not well received by the Highfield Road faithful as jeers rang around the ground.

Coventry looked capable of conceding a goal every time Everton attacked, and only an excellent one-handed save from Kirkland stopped Campbell adding a fourth.

I have asked the players to go away and analyse their performance, because we all have to after that

  Coventry City manager Gordon Strachan

The second half was an exercise in regaining lost pride for Coventry, but Everton were never in danger of conceding their commanding lead.

Coventry got on the scoresheet with four minutes remaining when previously unemployed Everton goalkeeper Thomas Myhre pulled down Carsley, and the Republic of Ireland midfield man got up to score from the spot.

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Coventry: Kirkland, Edworthy, Quinn, Breen, Konjic, Thompson, Eustace, Carsley, Telfer, Zuniga, Hadji. Subs: Hedman, Chippo, Palmer, Aloisi, Bothroyd.

Everton: Myhre, Steve Watson, Ball, Unsworth, Cleland, Tal, Gemmill, Alexandersson, Pembridge, Campbell, Cadamarteri. Subs: Simonsen, Jevons, Milligan, McLeod, Clarke.

Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).