Absolute belter of a game in the English Championship last night. Top of the table clash, Middlesbrough bang in form with a great run of wins behind them after a new manager appointment. Frank Lampard’s Coventry City chucked away a ten point lead to end up behind Boro, failing to beat relegation favourites Oxford in their last match and going through a very sticky patch of shit performances since Christmas. Cov’s star American striker, Wright, had been struggling for goals and missed way, way more than he stuck in the net, leading to fan frustration. There’s also the hoodoo that Boro (lately, anyway) never beat Cov, even though they were seemingly in the best position to do so.
The view before kick off was that Boro would win, and a feisty game would be had.
Coventry won 3-1, with a Wright hattrick. Fantastic game, Coventry came out all guns blazing and pressed Boro hard throughout the first half, Boro’s defence looking a little shaky. Boro were great going forward and just couldn’t find the finish. Second half, Boro had almost all of the possession and Coventry sat back more. Early Boro press led to a goal kick for Cov, which went straight to Wright for his second goal. Long goalie kicks, remember those?
Boro arguably should’ve scored at least one more, but for the neutral this was a brilliant match. Lots of end to end stuff, some great skills on show, plenty of no holds barred tackling. A great advertisement for the Championship.
Coventry are back on top of the division, Boro two points behind. Third? Millwall. Pray to the footballing gods for the ‘Wall to go up and the Hammers to stay up, because that would be fucking hilarious.