Coventry City

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist & Coventry fan

Image source, Getty Images

As Coventry City fans are well aware by now - football can be a cruel sport.

For a third consecutive season, the Sky Blues are left thinking about what could have been after Sunderland grabbed a last-second winner with virtually the final touch of extra time.

But it is perhaps not so much the semi-final defeat itself that will play on fans' minds, and more the manner in which it has happened again.

Cast your mind back to April 2024 when Coventry came back from three goals down to force Manchester United to extra time in the FA Cup semi-final.

The Sky Blues were daring to dream when Victor Torp found the back of the net, but his winner was ruled out by VAR in extra time and they went on to lose on penalties.

At the Stadium of Light, it was Coventry who controlled the majority of the game and looked the most threatening but they just could not find a winner.

The game looked set for penalties - much to the nervousness of the 2,500 away supporters - as there was just a Sunderland corner to deal with.

In the blink of an eye, the Stadium of Light erupted and Coventry fans were left with their hands on their heads.

To put it simply... another savage ending in the Coventry storybook.

Yet there are still so many positives to take from the 2024-25 campaign and that is why fans, who will no doubt be hurting today, will also feel an immense sense of pride towards Frank Lampard's men.

Coventry took the game to the Black Cats and they left everything out on the pitch. That is all any fan could have asked from them.

Earlier we asked you what you made of Coventry's agonising late exit from the Championship play-offs at Sunderland.

Here's a selection of your views, which very much represent the vast majority, it would appear.

Matt: Heartbroken for it to end that way, but that sometimes happens in football and you have to take it on the chin. At least Frank now has a full pre-season and summer transfer window to shape the squad how he wants, and fingers crossed brings in a top-notch striker to put away so many of the chances we create. I'm sad now, and will be for a few days, but bring on the start of the new season and let's just see what happens!

John: Fair play to Sunderland. They came with a gameplan to contain Coventry and absorb the pressure. The Sky Blues in both games had more of the play and had plenty of chances but didn't put them away. They have no-one to blame but themselves. As for conceding at the death, it's happened a lot this season and they need to learn lessons.

Davey: Very much in Frank Lampard we trust. Two points off relegation when he came in and top three form since he took over. Give us an effective transfer window and we can be up there again next season.

Lawrence: Very proud of our City and our team. We've had an outstanding season, so let's have no complaints. Frank is building for the future so let's see what we get next year.

Patrick: I am delighted and filled with excitement for the future of the football club. As heartbreaking as yesterday was, I firmly believe that next year will be our year. City to win the Championship 25-26.

Mark: It was a tough season but we got to our expected position in the end. To lose to the very final touch of a game we dominated was typical of the season. Hopefully more experience gained for the hard-working young players. But desperate disappointment for the amazing supporters. Another rebuild in the summer and then into battle in an even more competitive division!

Dale: They played really well over both games and didn't deserve to lose. Hopefully they will be better next season.

Chris D: Phenomenal effort from 10 of the starting 11 and the subs too. Haji Wright cost us Wembley. Just hoping Frank and his team stay long term and go for it again next season.

Chris F: Heartbreaking and felt we were the better team over both legs and to lose in that manner was shattering. All the best to Sunderland in the final.

John: It's a shame we went out after so much possession and shots on goal but we needed the forwards to show better aggression and motivation which just did not happen but good luck to Sunderland.

Samantha: Absolutely gutted but what a season we've had under Frank Lampard. We go again next season hopefully some new signings. Proud to be Sky Blue.

Adrian: Football is cruel and over the two legs Coventry were by far the better team. If Sunderland play like that in the final we will definitely be playing them next season.

Jack: Heartbroken, thought we were the better side for 120 minutes. But Frank Lampard has done magnificently, bring on next season Sky Blue Army.

Well have you ever seen anything like that?

Dan Ballard's mid-air crouch to head home via the underside of the bar and send Sunderland to Wembley with virtually the final touch of extra time.

Black Cats fans, have you ever heard the Stadium of Light like that? Can you now go on to beat Sheffield United?

Sorry Sky Blues fans, where does this latest heartbreak rank in your club's top-10 of misery? Do you think City can bounce back next season?

Come back to this page later to find out what some of you had to say...

Sunderland are defending an unbeaten home record in the play-offs tonight as they look to book a place in the final against Sheffield United.

To overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg, Coventry will have to record a first away win in six attempts.

• Sunderland's 2-1 win in the first leg was their first victory against Coventry since February 2007, ending a run of 10 games without a win against the Sky Blues (D5 L5).

• Coventry have won two of their past five away games against Sunderland in all competitions (D3), having won just one of their first 18 visits to the Black Cats (D8 L9).

• Sunderland have never lost a home leg in the EFL play-offs, winning seven of their eight games (D1) at Roker Park/Stadium of Light.

• Coventry's 2-1 loss in the first leg was their first defeat in the play-offs (W3 D3). They've won their two previous away legs (4-1 v Notts County and 1-0 v Middlesbrough), with both of these also being the second leg of the tie.

• Sunderland lost their final three home games of the regular Championship season, all by a 1-0 scoreline. They last lost four consecutive home games in all competitions in September 2017. They've never done so without scoring.

• Coventry were without a win their final five away games in the regular Championship season (D1 L4), having won four in a row on the road before that.

• Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda were on target for Sunderland in their first-leg victory. The last time a Black Cats player scored in both legs of a play-off semi-final was 2003-04, with both Marcus Stewart and Kevin Kyle doing so against Crystal Palace.

• Jack Rudoni has been involved in 12 goals in his past 14 appearances for Coventry in all competitions (7 goals, 5 assists), netting their goal in the first-leg defeat against Sunderland.

Image source, Rex Features

We asked for your views after Coventry City fell to a 2-1 defeat against Sunderland in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

The Sky Blues will need to turn it around at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday if they are to reach the final at Wembley.

Here's what you had to say:

Iain: Only one team played to win and, strangely, they lost. Bring on Tuesday, it's all still there to play for. PUSB.

Craig: Devastated for Milan van Ewijk. But he and Coventry need to keep their heads up. Away goals no longer count in the play-offs, so every chance they can turn this around next week. Atmosphere at Stadium of Light will be electric. Fair play to Sunderland but only HT.

Taylor: Coventry were the better team by far for large parts of the game. However, they always looked susceptible to conceding on the counter... and did so twice. Defensively we have to be better. Rudoni and Grimes look like they are born to play in the top division. Wright needs a long look at himself in the mirror to find out what he's missing.

Mitchell: There was absolutely no need to drop Simms. His hold-up play, drawing defenders in, gave the wingers so much space for crosses that we've scored lots of this season. We missed that. Two mistakes from Milan, out of position and a pass-back. I'm hoping they don't haunt him as he's unplayable on his day. Full credit to Sunderland, they deserved the win. We'll try our best, but should they go through next Tuesday, best of luck in the final!

Sam: Gutted to lose that, a gameplan well executed by Sunderland. I'm still confident we do it over two legs. PUSB.

Garry: Shame for the City fans but Sunderland showed the value of getting your shots away, while we relied on a sluggish Haji Wright and hoped for Jack Rudoni to get us out of it again. Sunderland produced a classic away performance and deserved the win, but we go again and at least now we know what we have to do. Come on City.

David: A poor side beaten by another poor side, no quality from both teams. If any one does happen to win the play off final they will be back in the Championship the following year.

AJ: Well done to Sunderland, they came to not lose and defended well as a team. However, having watched Cov tonight, I feel positive about the second leg. Get a first-half goal and it's all to play for! PUSB.

Bob: Sunderland only ever came not to lose. Sky Blues on the front foot continually. Milan, heads up buddy, HT 2-1 down, plenty to play for. Great performance guys, need another one on Tuesday. All to play for.

Ahmed: Not sure what to make of the defeat but probably a change of tactics maybe required from Frank Lampard in the second leg if the Sky Blues are to get past Sunderland.

Ben: Tough day. We pried, we prodded, but in the end didn't show enough. I think Frank for once got his team selection wrong. I don't think we anticipated Sunderland's set-up. Asante whilst good on the weekend was ineffective. Haji Wright was a bystander and disappointing. Sheaf also a little off the pace in the middle. I think a draw would have been fair. Gutted for Van Ewijk, I hope his team-mates get around and pick him up. He cares so much and that mistake could be so costly. Bring on Tuesday though! I am quietly confident that we will go there and put on a performance that might surprise a few. PUSB!

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard is urging his players to "not drop their heads" after a late defeat in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final with Sunderland.

The Sky Blues were drawing until Milan van Ewijk's short backpass was punished by Eliezer Mayenda's cool finish in the 88th minute.

Now Coventry must come from behind at the Stadium of Light in the second leg to get to Wembley.

Van Ewijk was in tears after the final whistle but Lampard knows his players must quickly regroup.

"I'm proud of the players," he told BBC CWR.

"We obviously didn't get the result we deserved and we didn't deserve to lose, but we can't drop our heads and understand there's loads to play for."

Coventry had almost 75% of possession at the CBS Arena, but they struggled to make clear cut chances.

However, the manager was still pleased with his side's efforts and believes the tie can be turned around.

"It was a good performance," he said. "I don't need to dwell on the mistakes too much but the performance was good.

"We couldn't break the deadlock because they defended their box so well but we did everything we could for large parts of the game without maybe that little end bit.

"It didn't happen and so we go again. The game may look different on Tuesday and it may feel different at their stadium whether they play the same way."

Were you in the stands at the CBS Arena or following the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final from elsewhere? Wherever you were, we want hear from you.

What did you think of the Sky Blues' performance?

Any thoughts on Sunderland's efforts?

Come back to this page tomorrow to find out what some of you had to say.

Image source, Getty Images

Frank Lampard has described Coventry City's anthem played before kick-off as "very uplifting".

'We'll Live and Die in These Towns' by Coventry-based band The Enemy was released in 2007 and became the unofficial anthem to the Sky Blues during the 2023-24 season.

A rendition of the song before the club's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United last season gathered the attention of many, including Lampard, with most praising it for it's originality and connection to the West Midlands city.

"It's very uplifting," Lampard told BBC CWR, as Coventry prepare to host Sunderland in their play-off semi-final first leg on Friday (20:00 BST).

"I remember when I got the job, a friend of mine sent me a video of the fans signing it at Wembley against Manchester United.

"I feel it on the bench and it gives us a real kick into the game.

"The fans have seen the players play with a passion, energy and quality off the back of that - hearing everyone sing.

"We've got incredible support. It's an atmosphere I haven't seen created in many other grounds. This is a special one."

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland has some bitter history with their play-off rivals Coventry City.

Cast your mind back to 1977, when there were three teams in danger of relegation from the old First Division: Sunderland, Coventry and Bristol City.

Sunderland lost to Everton and were awaiting the result of Coventry v Bristol City, which had been delayed due to traffic issues around the Sky Blues' then home ground, Highfield Road.

As the Black Cats had been defeated, a draw would be enough to keep both the Sky Blues and the Robins up, while a loss would send either team down.

With five minutes left in the game, Sunderland's result was broadcast from the tannoy system at Highfield Road and with the score at 2-2, the game petered out with neither side particularly incentivised to go on and win the game.

Sunderland were relegated and left questioning the fairness of the decisions made by then-Coventry managing director Jimmy Hill, stirring up bad blood between the two sides.

Coventry City host Sunderland for the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Friday (20:00 BST).

They finished fifth and fourth respectively but while Sunderland may have been seven points clear of Coventry, it's the Sky Blues who will going in with the better form.

The West Midlands side secured their place with a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough, and beat the Black Cats 3-0 when the sides met at the CBS Arena in March.

Sunderland have lost their last five games, failing to score in the past three, with only one goal in a winless run of six games overall heading into the play-offs - a run the stats suggest may well be extended.

• Coventry City are unbeaten across their last 10 league games against Sunderland (W5 D5), since a 2-0 defeat in February 2007.

• Sunderland are winless across each of their last 13 away games against Coventry City in all competitions (D5 L8), since a 1-0 victory at Highfield Road in the top-flight in April 1985, while they've failed to score in three of their last four visits.

• Coventry have won seven of their last eight home league games (L1), including a 3-0 win over Sunderland. Since Frank Lampard's first game in charge of the club in late November, only Leeds United and Bristol City (both 36) have picked up more points at home in the Championship than the Sky Blues (35).

• Sunderland have lost each of their last five Championship games in succession, while scoring just one goal across their last six league games. Indeed, it's their longest losing streak in the league since March 2024 (6 games).

• Coventry have previously featured in the EFL play-offs twice, in 2017-18 in League Two and 2022-23 in the Championship. Across their six matches in total, the Sky Blues remain unbeaten (W3 D3), failing to earn promotion to the Premier League in the 2022-23 Championship play-off final on penalties against Luton Town.

• This will be the ninth time that Sunderland have ended the season in the EFL play-offs, doing so in four of their last five league campaigns. Across their prior eight semi-final ties, the Black Cats have won just one of their eight away legs (D2 L5), a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in 1989-90.

Image source, Rex Features

Coventry City goalkeeper Ben Wilson says it was "amazing" to play in the final game of the regular Championship season and help the Sky Blues reach the play-offs.

Wilson hadn't started since October but was brought in to replace Brad Collins for the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough and made six saves, including a number of vital stops to preserve the lead.

Boss Frank Lampard said the 32-year-old was "outstanding" and can be "very happy with his performance" following a long spell out with a knee injury.

"It was obviously fantastic to get the result, to get the clean sheet," Wilson told BBC CWR.

"I was actually a nervous wreck from the start, being out of the team for such a long time and trying to get back fit.

"It's been a bit of a longer process than what I thought, but I've been training well, training as hard as I can to be ready for this moment.

"I thank the gaffer for putting me in. I've been wanting to play for weeks now, but he chose me, and luckily we got the clean sheet and we got the win, which was very important."

Wilson said it was "class" to make several brilliant saves against Boro.

"The voice from the fans and the support from all of the lads in front of me, it helped make it even more special," he added.

Coventry will face Sunderland in the play-off semi-final with the first leg at the CBS Arena on Friday before the return leg away from home on 13 May.

Listen to Wilson's full interview on BBC Sounds.

Adam Cottier
BBC Radio 5 live reporter

Image source, PA Media

It's the play-offs again for Coventry, but this time they have Jack Rudoni.

His outstanding display against Middlesbrough on Saturday was the catalyst to an excellent victory in front of a club-record crowd at the CBS Arena.

The 23-year-old - signed last summer after two solid but unspectacular seasons at Huddersfield, which concluded in relegation - has blossomed with the Sky Blues.

Against Middlesbrough in a high-stakes game, I saw a player with great awareness, vision and balance.

His ability to maintain possession of the ball in tight areas is superb; he didn't seem to go more than 30 seconds without touching the ball, such was his presence in all areas of Coventry's attacking play.

Much like Frank Lampard in his prime, Rudoni possesses the instinctive qualities that take him into areas that make him a supreme goal threat as well.

He's now scored nine goals this season - all but two of the coming since the appointment of boss Lampard, who told me after the game that he is a huge admirer of his midfield lynchpin.

"I work with him a lot because he's easy to work with," said Lampard.

"He engages, he wants to get better. He's got great talent, he's got great energy.

"We work on finishing. He's so infectious as a lad. Sometimes when you work with a player and you see him grow and improve individually, that's a real pleasure too."

Lampard will now hope Rudoni can help guide Coventry to the Premier League.

Released by Crystal Palace as a youngster, he looks to be a top-flight player in the making - as astute a signing as any Championship side made last summer.