Coventry City knock Middlesbrough off Championship top spot despite valiant Boro performance
Boro dominated possession and had opportunities to take something back to Teesside but were undone thanks to three sloppy goals.
A week prior to Middlesbrough making the trip to face Coventry City, Kim Hellberg’s side put out a statement performance at Bramall Lane, as they defeated Sheffield United. It was the type of win showcased by promotion candidates, and put Boro above of Coventry in the table ahead of the two clubs meeting.
Seven days on Boro were looking to maintain their upward trajectory against Coventry who had stalled slightly in recent weeks. The Teessiders had the momentum coming into the fixture, and the travelling Middlesbrough supporters would certainly have been envisaging a positive result for their side.
Kim Hellberg has turned Middlesbrough into a side who threaten opponents constantly, using pace, power and technical ability to win games. They had won their last six games in succession in the Championship as a result. All the signs pointed to Boro coming away with a crucial victory, but unfortunately, as has become a trend in recent seasons, the Teessiders keep coming unstuck against Coventry.
On this occasion, Boro’s performance merited more than the loss they suffered at the Coventry Building Society Arena. They had the majority of the ball, and were attractive in possession, often creating small openings. Coventry, however, especially in the first half, were simply more aggressive.
Coventry looked like a side rejuvenated in the opening stages after their recent slump in form. They bullied Boro from a physical perspective, not being afraid to commit fouls to show the visitors that they were there. Middlesbrough were trying to ride the storm, but ultimately were behind when Haji Wright slotted home from the middle of the box.
The home side’s goal had been coming. Boro had given the ball away too many times in their own half and eventually they were punished. Despite that, Kim Hellberg’s players continued to try and play their way. They knew that they would start to find space within the Coventry defence, which began to happen with more frequency at the start of the second half.
Middlesbrough looked like the Championship leaders as they pushed for an equaliser, but were hit with a sucker punch by Wright when he grabbed his second of the night. Frustratingly for Boro, all it took was one long ball sent forward from Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth. Wright used his strength to get ahead of Luke Ayling, before firing past Sol Brynn.
It was not brilliant defending from Ayling, but Brynn certainly could have helped his teammate out by coming out and reducing Wright’s chance of getting a clean strike away. Instead, the Boro keeper retreated towards his goal, and was beaten before he reached his line.
At two goals down Boro could have folded, but they again maintained their fluid, attacking style. It had to pay off eventually, and it did when Riley McGree lashed the ball home from inside the area to pull one goal back. It was deserved given the second half display Middlesbrough had put out, and they were now hoping to cause Coventry more problems in the final stages.
Then, disaster. Less than a minute after the restart Coventry were awarded a penalty. Newcastle United-loanee Matt Targett was penalised for handball, allowing Wright to step up and claim his hattrick. His spot kick was hit low and hard, into the side netting. Brynn guessed right, but could not get near it.
Hellberg clearly has his players effectively drilled. That setback which would prove to be the decisive one, did not deter Boro from trying to force their way back into the match once again. The attacks kept coming and they probably should have done better with a few of the chances they fashioned. The Boro supporters were willing their side on, and willing the ball into the net, but it did not happen.
The final whistle blew and Coventry returned to the top of the table, but only by the solitary point. Crucially for Middlesbrough, there is an awful lot of football still to be played, and a one point gap is in no way a significant one for Coventry. It could be argued that this is a mental blow for Boro, but they have winnable games to come at home that they will surely target to get back on track.
A return to England’s top flight is still there for Middlesbrough. This result, whilst disappointing, should not stop them on their way. Steve Gibson will know that, Kim Hellberg will know that, and Hayden Hackney will know that. This will simply have to viewed as a bump in the road.