Sidiki Cherif inspires Coventry to stunning Newcastle rout

Frank Lampard's side delivered an impressive attacking display, with Jack Rudoni, Sidiki Cherif, Ellis Simms and teenage Manchester City loanee Stephen Mfuni all finding the net.

The result also gave Coventry back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since March and April 2001, strengthening their belief that they can establish themselves in the top flight.

"It was very, very satisfying. It's so hard to win," Lampard said. "We played like the team that we want to be here."

Coventry made the perfect start when goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek brought down Cherif inside the penalty area in the sixth minute. Rudoni stepped up and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to put the hosts ahead.

Newcastle pushed for an equaliser before the break, but Coventry defender Bobby Thomas produced an important block to deny Matias Fernandez-Pardo when the forward looked poised to score.

Cherif then made his first Premier League start a memorable one, doubling Coventry's lead just three minutes into the second half. The young forward collected the ball after Newcastle failed to clear an Ethan Pinnock long throw and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.

Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle responded with three substitutions around the hour mark, and the visitors briefly threatened a comeback when Sven Botman unleashed a powerful strike from around 20 yards into the net.

However, Coventry refused to surrender their advantage. Joelinton's challenge on Brandon Thomas-Asante allowed substitute Ellis Simms to collect the loose ball and calmly score from the edge of the penalty area.

Thomas-Asante subsequently struck the post as Coventry continued to threaten, before Mfuni completed the rout by firing into the bottom-right corner after a pass from Jay Dasilva.

Lampard was delighted with his team's all-round contribution, praising their determination and attacking quality.

"There is so much spirit and energy in the group, and we know we are going to have to suffer a lot this season," he said.

"The work ethic of the boys and the belief... you get what you deserve, which was great finishes.

"We haven't quite had that rub of the green this season that would help us nick more points. It was a complete performance."

The Coventry manager also singled out Cherif, who won the penalty before scoring his first Premier League goal.

"It's very exciting because he's so young," Lampard said. "He's got a really good manner, a really good way about him. He wants to train, he wants to learn.

"He's quite quiet, but he showed a lot of personality and didn't stop running. There is a lot to come."

Lampard urged his players to remain grounded despite the result, but Coventry have every reason to take confidence from a performance that combined clinical finishing with defensive resilience.