Derby County striker Jerry Yates was ‘four yards offside’ in the build-up to the second goal against Coventry City, Sky Blues boss Mark Robins says.
Derby County picked up a long-awaited first away win on Wednesday night as they beat Coventry City 2-1 at the CBS Arena.
A goal from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto made for a nervy ending for the Rams, but two key Jerry Yates contributions secured the vital victory. He opened the scoring by pouncing on a Jack Rudoni pass-back to slot home.
The second goal came in perhaps even more fortunate circumstances.
A long ball from Derby County goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom was flicked on by Liam Thompson and found Yates on the left, with Coventry defenders instantly appealing for offside. However, the flag never went up, and the Swansea City loanee proceeded down the left-wing before a cross deflected off Bobby Thomas and looped over the despairing Oliver Dovin.
Angles on TV broadcasts and highlights don’t provide the clearest of answers, but indications are that Yates was offside.
That’s certainly the view of Coventry City boss Mark Robins, who says his coaching staff told him Yates was ‘four yards offside’ before his deflected cross found the back of the net.
“Yeah, my staff are telling me it was about four yards offside,” Robins said to Coventry Live of the second Derby County goal.
“If that’s the case then what’s he doing? I don’t know because I haven’t seen it back but my staff are telling me it’s well offside. They are saying about four yards, but well offside.”
The difference maker
With Sakamoto equalising so soon after the second Derby County goal, Coventry City will be left to rue what they feel is a decision that has gone against them.
As touched on before, angles don’t offer a lot of clarity, but it would appear that Yates came back from an offside position and perhaps didn’t get level in time.
In a game of fine margins, this call looks to have made all the difference. The Rams won’t care as this triumph marked their first away win since returning to the Championship, but with Coventry City scrambling to find form, it comes as a real kick in the teeth.
Attention turns to this weekend
Derby County will be hoping to pick up another win this weekend as they prepare to face Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle at Pride Park. Home form has been a big positive for the Rams and after a first away triumph, it will be hoped they can enter the international break on a high.
Coventry City meanwhile are in for a tough one away from home.
They head to Wearside to face early Championship leaders Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats will be strong favourites to triumph, so Robins will hoping for help from the officials as they look to pull off a surprise win.
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