Boro win a 'statement' victory - Simms

Two-goal Ellis Simms says Coventry City's thrilling 4-2 win at automatic promotion rivals Middlesbrough was a "statement" victory after the Sky Blues moved 10 points clear at the top of the Championship.

Frank Lampard's side continued their scintillating form with a performance at the Riverside Stadium that showed character and determination alongside their usual potency up front as they sealed their 12th win in 17 games so far.

Simms' stunning curler into the top corner from the edge of the box put City ahead on 10 minutes before Liam Kitching made it 2-0 four minutes later.

But Boro, who were second in the table before kick-off and defending their unbeaten home record, fought back to level either side of half-time through Morgan Whittaker and a Bobby Thomas own goal.

Free-scoring Coventry showed why they are such hot favourites for the title and promotion to the Premier League by netting their 46th and 47th goals of the season as Simms and Kitching grabbed their second inside the last five minutes.

"It was a massive three points", Simms told BBC CWR.

"We knew coming here would be difficult - they were second and not lost many games. It was amazing.

"We started very well then they brought it back and it was another test for us. We had to dig deep and we showed great determination to keep going and we were a massive threat going forwards.

"The lads stuck to the game plan. It's a big statement."

Coventry have now won 10 of their past 11 league games as they charge towards a return to the top flight for the first time in a quarter of a century.

They will try to increase their double-digit lead when they take on Charlton at the CBS Arena on Saturday.

Simms, though, is unsurprisingly not getting carried away.

"We're 10 points clear but we just need to keep our heads on it because things change so fast in this league," he added.

"It was a great result [against Boro] but we just need to keep at it, keep the form and keep it going."