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Dele Adebola has become accustomed to having his ability questioned by a succession of managers during his 15-year career. Now, though, a man who is not given to suffering passengers gladly is coveting his talent, and Adebola and Gary Johnson, the Bristol City manager, are looking increasingly like a match made in heaven.

Not since his days as a promising, but raw, youngster under Dario Gradi at Crewe Alexandra has Adebola, 33, looked so comfortable. His contribution against his former club at the Ricoh Arena was so complete that the home fans who generously applauded his name before kick-off were jeering his every touch, long before he was withdrawn in the second half with the points in the bag.

The challenge that laid out Keiren Westwood, the Coventry City goalkeeper, before Adebola gave Bristol a seventeenth-minute lead had much to do with that, although the striker pleaded his innocence. The dazed Westwood was unable to continue, but Adebola said: “There was no malice. I never took my eyes off the ball and I committed myself. Hopefully he’s OK and will recover.”

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Adebola set up Michael McIndoe to score the second goal after 54 minutes and Steve Brooker’s effort in right at the death replicated last season’s result.

Chris Coleman, the Coventry manager, was forced to watch from the directors’ box after being ordered from the dugout during the first half by Phil Dowd, the referee, and had plenty of time to reflect on the fact that Adebola’s five years at the club ended just two weeks before his appointment last February.

The Nigerian, allowed to leave on a free transfer and who went on to score six goals in 20 appearances as Bristol City reached the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs final, is enjoying his renaissance. “I feel wanted now,” he said. “I’ve had to fight my way into contention at clubs and it takes its toll. I came to Bristol and the manager took to me straight away. It’s nice to be appreciated. I’m sure I was appreciated at Coventry, but maybe not always by the right people.”

Coventry City (4-4-2): K Westwood (sub: A Marshall, 20min) — D Fox, E Ward, S Dann, A Gunnarsson — G Beuzelin, J Gray, M Mifsud (sub: R Simpson, 73), J Tabb — F Eastwood (sub: L McKenzie 46), C Morrison. Substitutes not used: M Doyle, B Turner.

Bristol City (4-4-2): A Basso — B Orr, J McAllister, L Fontaine, L Carey (sub: A Webster, 64) — M McIndoe, C Skuse, B Wilson, L Johnson — N Maynard (sub: I Sproule, 81), D Adebola (sub: S Brooker, 76min). Substitutes not used: C Weale, L Trundle.

Referee: P Dowd. Attendance: 17,994.