Summary

  • Akpom hit bar for Boro, Coventry fail to have shot on target

  • Second leg at Riverside Stadium on Wednesday

  • Sunderland recovered to beat Luton in other semi-final first leg

  • Winners to meet in Wembley final on 27 May

  1. Goodbye for nowpublished at 14:05 British Summer Time 14 May 2023

    #bbcefl

    Boro players applaudImage source, Rex Features

    Two more semi-finals in the Championship play-offs to come then, with Luton hosting Sunderland on Tuesday and the return leg of today's encounter seeing Middlesbrough welcoming Coventry City.

    Both of these games will be covered, as will all the EFL play-off matches across the three divisions.

    While some of the matches have been goal-fests, thrills a minute and packed with excitement, this one was gruelling.

    That's all because of what it means. You want drama, you want tension? You want the play-offs.

    We wouldn't have it any other way. Until later, enjoy your Sunday.

  2. Not just the Championshippublished at 14:02 British Summer Time 14 May 2023

    #bbcefl

    Bradford's Valley Parade mid-gameImage source, Getty Images

    The EFL play-offs continue today, with League Two's Bradford City hosting Carlisle United a little later tonight in their semi-final first-leg.

    We'll have all the build-up and live text commentary on BBC Sport from 18:40 BST, and you can get it here.

  3. All to play forpublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 14 May 2023

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Gary McSheffrey
    Former Coventry winger on BBC CWR

    We all wanted to come here and see some goals, and a home win, but if you can't win a game just don't lose.

    Coventry have showed that they can more than compete, and were the more dangerous team in this second half.

    We could've won at Middlesbrough last week, got a comfortable draw, and Boro will be taking the game to us - which could suit the counter-attack, so it's not a bad result.

  4. 'Coventry able to do well at Boro'published at 13:57 British Summer Time 14 May 2023

    FT: Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Steve Ogrizovic
    Ex-Coventry City goalkeeper on BBC CWR

    That was better from Coventry in the second half - a little bit more aggressive and on the front foot.

    It was short on quality and chances - I can't remember Zack Steffen having a save to make.

    Overall Coventry won't be too disappointed with this result.

    They have the game to go to Boro and do well.

  5. FULL-TIMEpublished at 13:54 British Summer Time 14 May 2023

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Coventry v BoroImage source, Getty Images

    It's all square at half-time then in this one, as the first-leg of this Championship play-off semi-final between Coventry and Middlesbrough finishes goalless.

    Best chance came in the first-half, when Ben Wilson touched Chuba Akpom's shot onto the crossbar.

    They will go again, and it will be decided, up at the Riverside Stadium on Teesside, when Boro host the Sky Blues on Wednesday night.

  6. Postpublished at 90+4 mins

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Paddy McNair is told to put the ball on the quadrant by the referee. He says it is. Bobby Madley checks. It is.

    Curls it in with whip to the back-post... behind. Goal kick.

  7. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Brooke Norton-Cuffy shuttles back to deny Ryan Giles a clean cross. Coventry concede the corner...

  8. Postpublished at 90+2 mins

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Coventry break quickly with the ball out to Viktor Gyokeres, who powers into the box.

    He shrugs off Paddy McNair, but can't find a shooting angle, so he tees up Gustavo Hamer.

    His pass to Jake Bidwell is cut out, and Zack Steffen can gather.

  9. Postpublished at 90+1 mins

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Zack SteffenImage source, Rex Features

    You could almost forgive Ben Wilson and Zack Steffen for digging out the sudoku or practicing their French at their respective ends. Not been a lot of them to do.

    There was an amusing coming together in midfield, as Coventry's diminutive Jamie Allen gave chase to towering Boro man Matt Crooks. Mismatch.

  10. Postpublished at 88 mins

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Coventry fans will certainly be concerned as Gustavo Hamer stays down.

    It looked like his passing right leg was caught by Riley McGree on the follow-through.

    He's receiving treatment. Bated breath no doubt from the home support. He's up but not looking comfortable.

  11. Proper play-offspublished at 13:45 British Summer Time 14 May 2023

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Ged Scott
    BBC Sport at the CBS Arena

    Never mind your 4-0s, your penalty shootouts and your Wembley thrillers, this really has been like play-off semis should be.

    Grim, tense and almost unbearable.

    Two shots on target. None from the hosts - and 79 minutes until the first booking.

    I pity anyone who has to write a match report on this.

    Wonder if that well-known Coventry penchant for a late winner still counts for anything

  12. Postpublished at 85 mins

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Matt Crooks gives Boro a more physical threat up top, compared to the ball in behind offering from Cameron Archer.

    They could go long now, get him to hold it up. Don't think they will.

    Gustavo Hamer pressures Hayden Hackney as Boro try to play out from the back, but the Coventry man is pinged for a foul.

    The Teessiders walk a fine line in terms of possession football at times.

  13. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 83 mins

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Matt Crooks is on for Middlesbrough, Cameron Archer is withdrawn.

  14. Postpublished at 82 mins

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Darragh Lenihan's head will be ringing. Gustavo Hamer scampered into space and hammered a shot which blasted the Boro defender on his noggin.

    Coventry's play at times has been a bit conservative, but they're enjoying better possession and territory.

    Jake Bidwell can't get to a loose ball. Cov win it back on the edge of the box. Hamer tries an angled pass in behind the full-back but Bidwell is on his heels and it rolls behind.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 14 May 2023

    #bbcefl

    Butlins McCarthy: Would like to see Coventry v Luton at Wembley as an old school 70's mash-up. As both places were known for car manufacture, now mostly gone, could it be called the Demolition Derby?

  16. YELLOW CARDpublished at 80 mins

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Chuba Akpom bookedImage source, Rex Features

    Yellow for Chuba Akpom, who chases down Coventry defender Kyle McFadzean and goes into a block tackle.

    The big centre-half goes down and the card goes up.

  17. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Coventry v BoroImage source, Getty Images

    Viktor Gyokeres will get less attention signing autographs by the players entrance than he's got from Paddy McNair today.

    McNair's been his shadow. The latest coming together? Ball down the line, the Boro defender slides in. Not given a yard.

  18. Clever Boro movementpublished at 13:36 British Summer Time 14 May 2023

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Gary McSheffrey
    Former Coventry winger on BBC CWR

    Middlesbrough's Riley McGree doesn't play as a 10, he moves into inside spaces.

    He and Chuba Akpom work off each other really well and leave Cameron Archer on his own, always a spare man.

  19. Postpublished at 76 mins

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    Coventry v BoroImage source, Rex Features

    Riley McGree is like water, he gets everywhere. Everytime Boro have looked for him, he's been in space and in a good position.

    He tries to cut the ball back for Cameron Archer, but Coventry clear.

    Chuba Akpom follows suit, but can't weave his way beyond the Sky Blue shirts.

  20. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough

    ManagersImage source, Rex Features

    How to look like a manager.

    Both leaders deep in thought - this has turned into a bit of a chess match.