A ten minute hat-trick from Jacob Murphy helped send Coventry top of the Sky Bet League One table after they thrashed the league leaders Gillingham 4-1 at the Ricoh Arena yesterday. 

Justin Edinburgh's Gillingham suffered a second defeat in three league games at Coventry yesterday
Justin Edinburgh's Gillingham suffered a second defeat in three league games at Coventry yesterday

The game was played in front of the biggest crowd at the Ricoh this season, 15,604, and the Coventry fans left the stadium in a good mood after a fine performance from the Sky Blues.

City were in control from the first whistle, full of enterprise and dominating Gillingham’s half throughout the game.

It took until the 34th minute for Murphy to fire home a left-footed finish inside the six yard box. On loan centre-back Ben Turner made his dream return for the Midlands side as he headed home three minutes later to double their lead.

Murphy then struck twice more inside three minutes before the break to give Coventry the best possible start going into half time.

Bradley Dack pulled one back with a left-foot shot on 63 minutes, but the game was already gone and Coventry were the far better side on the day.

The victory extends Coventry’s unbeaten league run to nine games at the Ricoh, seven of which have been wins. They have opened up a three point gap over Gillingham and have a better goal difference.

Gillingham are looking over their shoulder as third placed Walsall only lie one point behind the Kent side.

Football League World writer Ashley Williams identifies three things that we learned from yesterday's game…

1) Are Gillingham starting to stutter?

The 4-1 loss to their fellow promotion chasers leaves other sides such as Walsall back in with a shout to secure an automatic spot.

The Kent side have only won once in their last four games and they need to start picking up points, otherwise they will find themselves slipping down the table.

They have two tough games coming up in December against Burton Albion and Millwall away. They will be the decisive games and will need to pick up points to get back on the winning trail again.

2) Can Coventry be stopped?

You look at Coventry’s side and they have so much talent in their squad.

Murphy, Turner, Joe Cole, and Adam Armstrong are all at least Championship quality players.

After yesterday's performance, you would really fancy Tony Mowbray's side going all the way as they are the standout side in League One.

They have only lost once in their last 10 games, picking up six wins along the way.

3) Second beats first... again!

This was the third time this season that 'second' has played 'first' in League One.

Every time, the game has been won by the second placed side, and become the new leaders in the division.

On both previous occasions in October, Walsall were the winners, beating first Burton Albion and then Gillingham.

Coventry and Gillingham fans… what did you make of the game? Was this the deciding game which side comes first or second? Are you happy to see Ben Turner back at the club? How will Gillingham pick themselves up? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!