THE FIRST JOEL

Latibeaudiere shuts up shop for a Sky Blues Xmas No.1

- BY JASON MELLOR

JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE paid tribute to Coventry's lesser-spotted centre-backs as the Sky Blues hung on for a vital point.

Frank Lampard’s side stretched their lead to six points as a gritty backs-to-the-wall display sealed the Championship's No.1 spot for Christmas.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men for most of the second half after Jay Dasilva saw red for giving Welington the boot.

Despite Nathan Wood heading his first Saints goal to level, Tonda Eckert’s men couldn’t find a way through City’s makeshift defence to force a winner.