Taiwo Awoniyi scores and assists as Coventry City reach Carabao Cup third round

Taiwo Awoniyi scored his first goal for Coventry City and set up another as they defeated League One side Plymouth 4-2 away from home to progress to the third round of the Carabao Cup.

The Nigeria international made the decisive impact early in the second-round tie, opening the scoring after only three minutes. Awoniyi finished a chance created by Ghana international Caleb Yirenkyi to give Coventry an early advantage.

Just two minutes later, Awoniyi turned provider. He supplied Jack Rudoni, who doubled Coventry’s lead in the fifth minute and put Frank Lampard’s side in a commanding position.

Plymouth, however, responded before half-time. Oliver Irow pulled a goal back in the 21st minute, before Xavier Amaechi completed the comeback by making it 2-2.

Coventry regained control in the second half when Ephron Mason-Clark restored their lead with 23 minutes remaining. Peter Torp then settled the tie from the penalty spot, scoring Coventry’s fourth goal with 12 minutes left to play.

The result gave Awoniyi a goal and an assist in only his second appearance for Coventry since joining the club. His first outing came in last week’s 3-0 defeat by Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Awoniyi’s Nigeria team-mate Frank Onyeka was not involved against Plymouth after being left out of the matchday squad. The midfielder was therefore unavailable for Lampard, whose team secured their place in the next round despite Plymouth’s second-half pressure.

Awoniyi joined the newly promoted Premier League club from Nottingham Forest after spending four seasons at the City Ground. His move to Coventry was completed for a reported fee of £9m.

The forward’s first goal for his new club came at an important stage of his adaptation, having only recently made the switch. His early contribution helped Coventry establish a two-goal lead, while the late strikes from Mason-Clark and Torp ensured that Plymouth’s fightback did not produce an upset.

Plymouth’s two goals had brought the League One side level and briefly threatened to alter the outcome, but Coventry remained composed after the interval. Mason-Clark’s goal restored their advantage before Torp’s penalty confirmed their progress.

Coventry will now continue their Carabao Cup campaign in the third round, while Plymouth exit the competition after an entertaining contest in which both sides scored twice before Coventry pulled away late on.