Julian Gray proved to be Barnsley's nemesis once again as his second-half winner in Saturday's Championship clash gave Coventry their best start to a season since 1992.
The winger scored in both victories over the Tykes last season, and was once again the match winner in an entertaining encounter at Oakwell.
The Sky Blues, who kept up their 100 per cent record this season with three victories, found themselves in front against the run of play in the 11th minute - when Freddy Eastwood fired a cross in from the right which evaded everyone and nestled into the bottom corner.
It was Eastwood's first goal for almost a year, the last coming against Blackpool on August 25, and it gave his side a surprise lead in Yorkshire.
Brian Howard's clinical finish on the stroke of half-time earned the hosts a deserved equaliser.
But Gray's 68th-minute strike and Iain Hume's red card made for a miserable second half for the Reds, who have now lost three games on the spin.
New signing Teale went straight into the Barnsley starting line-up, with manager Simon Davey missing eight first-team players because of injury and suspensions.
Coventry manager Chris Coleman made one change to the side which beat Norwich 2-0 last Saturday - Michael Mifsud, who impressed against Aldershot in midweek, replacing injured right-back Stephen Wright. That meant Aron Gunnarsson moved into defence, with Mifsud on the right of midfield.
The hosts created a few early half-chances, Diego Leon the main architect in some adventurous play.
It was from an inswinging Leon corner that Barnsley almost took the lead.
Darren Moore showed real strength to meet the cross on the edge of the six-yard box, but his powerful header was brilliantly saved by Kieren Westwood.
Just as the Tykes looked like pressing home their advantage, the visitors went in front through Eastwood's cross-shot.
The goal deflated the hosts, forced back by City for large periods of the opening half, and they almost found themselves further behind with Elliott Ward struck the post with a header.
But with only a minute left before half-time, Howard pounced to send the Tykes in at the break on level terms.
The second half began like the first.
Barnsley doing most of the pressing without really testing Westwood - and their lacklustre finishing proved costly when Gray picked up a pass from Eastwood before curling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Despite throwing strikers Kayode Odejayi and Maceo Rigters into action late in the second half, Barnsley continued to struggle in front of goal - and their task became even harder when summer signing Hume was shown a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Mifsud 10 minutes from time.
Teams:
Barnsley Steele, Foster, Moore, Guedes, Hassell (Odejayi 86), Teale (Rigters 74), Leon, Howard, Devaney, Hume, Macken.
Subs Not Used: Mostto, Atkinson, Butterfield.
Sent Off: Hume (80).
Booked: Hume, Macken, Foster, Howard.
Goals: Howard 44.
Coventry Westwood, Beuzelin, Ward, Dann, Fox, Tabb, Gunnarsson, Gray (McKenzie 79), Morrison (Simpson 85), Eastwood, Mifsud (Doyle 87).
Subs Not Used: Ireland, Turner.
Booked: Eastwood, Morrison, McKenzie.
Goals: Eastwood 12, Gray 68.
Att: 12,987
Ref: Steve Bratt (W Midlands).
