SOUTHEND United started their Christmas celebrations early with a comfortable 3-1 win against Coventry City at Roots Hall this afternoon.

The Shrimpers – who hold their festive party tonight – have now not been beaten in their last nine League One outings.

And the latest success – which came courtesy of strikes from Anthony Wordsworth, Anton Ferdinand and an own goal from goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook – also saw Blues move up to eighth in the standings.

Blues just took just six minutes to open the scoring, with Wordsworth on target for the seventh time this season.

The attacking midfielder reacted sharply inside the penalty area following a bright burst forward from Jason Demetriou and netted with a neatly controlled left footed shot from 12 yards.

Moments later, Simon Cox had a long range shot smothered by visiting goalkeeper Lee Burge before the Shrimpers striker saw a well taken effort ruled out for offside.

With Blues remaining on top, Nile Ranger then just failed to connect with a brilliant left wing cross from Stephen McLaughlin before McLaughlin had an effort blocked by on-rushing Coventry goalkeeper Lee Burge.

However, Coventry soon began to get back into the game with Andy Rose having a downward header tipped wide of the left post by Mark Oxley before his opposite number, Burge, was forced off injured in the 44th minute after being clattered into by Ranger.

He was replaced between the sticks by Charles-Cook but it was Oxley who was called on next as he did well to deny Daniel Agyei from close range.

After the break, Andre Wright sent a swerving shot inches wide of the left post from the edge of the penalty area before Blues hit back to double their lead in the 64th minute, with Ferdinand on target.

The Shrimpers skipper diverted the ball into the back of the net from six yards after Wordsworth’s free-kick from the left hand side had been met powerfully by the head of Ryan Leonard.

And, just five minutes later, Blues extended their lead even further following another move down the left flank, instigated by McLaughlin.

The winger cut into the penalty area and unleashed a low, right footed shot which struck the inside of the left post before hitting the back of Coventry goalkeeper Charles-Cook and rolling into the back of the South Stand net.

The fortuitous strike made certain of three points for the Shrimpers, despite City striker Agyei scoring from close range in the 89th minute after a great run down the right flank from Jodi Jones.