For those who were quick to report on Coventry’s demise, they may have to send an apology to Frank Lampard and his players after their win on Monday night. The Sky Blues once again feeling like the sky is the limit after getting the better of title rivals Middlesbrough.
Going into the game, it was ‘Boro who found themselves at the summit of English football’s second tier. Six successive wins for Kim Hellberg’s men before their visit to the West Midlands, their run coupled with Coventry’s dip in form leading to a changing of the guard in the Championship.
However, Monday night’s showing at the Coventry Building Society Arena reminded everyone just what Coventry are capable of and especially what forward Haji Wright can do - the forward having only scored twice since a return from injury in December.
Back In Form
Two in two months, three in 90 minutes. The 27-year-old the hero as his trio of goals gave Coventry a trio of points in front of their own support. A much needed win considering only one point from the last nine had been collected beforehand.
While it was the former Antalyaspor player who opened the scoring on Monday night, his first of the night arriving just before the half hour. A goal not long after being previously foiled by the frame of the ‘Boro goal.
Once ahead, Coventry and Wright in particular had the taste for further additions to the scoresheet. A second portion devoured 10 minutes after the restart. All that was required was seeing out the game for the next 35.
A task made slightly more difficult by ‘Boro halving the deficit halfway through the second half. Riley McGree’s fine finish looked like giving the visitors a foot back into the game. Seconds later, a hand would take them out of it for good.
The Match Ball
Matt Targett adjudged to have handled not long after the restart and with a penalty awarded in Coventry’s favour, there was only one man who was going to take the spot kick. Step forward Haji Wright, step forward his third goal of the night.
The perfect personal showing in what was almost the perfect team performance by Coventry. Their detractors silenced and their nearest challengers made to look second best when they were demoted back down to second place.
A bruising defeat for ‘Boro when considering the context of the game but their loss should not detract from the run of results that they have been on lately. Even if this performance plays a role in them losing out on the title, you would be surprised if they lose out on automatic promotion.
The Riverside Stadium outfit still five points clear of Millwall in third, the gap at the top between Coventry and themselves now stands at one. The top two face teams in the bottom four this weekend, can they avoid being caught out by teams fighting for survival?
