Coventry City 3-1 Middlesborough

Match Report – Studio 74 – Dylan Unarket – 17/2/26

Coventry City XI: Carl Rushworth (GK), Milan Van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Joel Latibeaudiere, Jay Dasilva, Frank Onyeka, Matt Grimes (C), Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Jack Rudoni, Ephron Mason-Clark, Haji Wright

Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Luke Woolfenden, Liam Kitching, Jake Bidwell, Josh Eccles (69’), Romain Esse (69’), Victor Torp (75’), Jahnoah Markelo (82’), Ellis Simms (82’)

Middlesborough XI: Solomon Brynn (GK), Callum Brittain, Luke Ayling, Adilson Malanda, Matt Targett, Alan Browne, Aidan Morris, Hayden Hackney, Riley McGree, Morgan Whittaker, Tommy Conroy.

Subs: Joe Wildsmith (GK), Dael Fry, Alex Gilbert, Cruz Ibeh, Jeremy Sarmiento (59’), David Strelec (59’), Kaly Sene (81’), Finley Munroe (90’), Sontje Hansen (90’)

OVERVIEW

Coventry City beat Middlesborough 3-1 in the Sky Bet EFL Championship in a Monday night classic under the lights. Both teams are going head-to-head in a title race which will go down to the wire. The Sky Blues leap frogged back to the summit after a poor run of form in recent weeks, with 0 losses in their previous 3 coming into this showdown, following on from last night’s convincing win. A Haji Wright hattrick proved to be the costly intake that inspired a win, he got on the end of a low driven cross from Jack Rudoni early on to make it 1-0 (21’) before a superb finish at the start of the second half after a ball over the top made it 2-0 (55’). His hattrick was completed with a penalty following a Matt Targett handball, to make it 3-1 (71’). This penalty was the nail in the coffin to seal the game, coming moments after Middlesborough’s Riley McGree fired home a loose ball past Carl Rushworth (67’), but it was too little to inspire a fightback.

SKY BLUE DOMINANCE

Frank Lampard made 2 changes to his midfield three for this encounter, he dropped Josh Eccles and Victor Torp and handed Jack Rudoni a spot and a debut to Frank Onyeka. Coventry’s midfield ran a tight ship, blocking the channels for the likes of Hayden Hackney from making an impact. This was the most important duel of the night.

Despite Boro having majority share of the possession, the Sky Blues held there shape well to see out the 3 points, as well as proving to take their chances through Haji Wright. An immense performance from the Sky Blues with individual talent working to get Coventry over the line.

WHAT NEXT?

Frank Lampard’s men head down the road to face West Bromwich Albion in a game which is crucial for both teams with Albion fighting for relegation and the Sky Blues hopeful to go 4 points adrift of Middlesborough, the game takes place on Saturday February 21 at 12:30pm UK time

AUTHOR -DYLAN UNARKET