Coventry 2-1 Leeds United: The Sky Blues ended the visitors’ hopes of automatic promotion as Ellis Simms and Haji Wright scored to end their 15-MATCH unbeaten streak
- Coventry boosted their playoff ambitions by beating Leeds at the CBS Arena
- Mark Robins’ side are four points behind Norwich in sixth with a game in hand.
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Rival fans love to proclaim that ‘Leeds are falling apart again’ and Coventry’s was certainly no exception.
This judgment is premature, but this defeat – their first in the league in 2024 – was seen as a major missed opportunity for Daniel Farke’s promotion contenders.
With Ipswich beaten at midday, Leeds could have returned to the top of the Championship. Instead, they presented an off-kilter performance, completely out of character by recent standards.
After goals from Ellis Simms and Haji Wright inflicted damage and boosted Coventry’s playoff ambitions, Leeds’ mood was not helped by news of Leicester’s late winner filtering through the M69.
Joel Piroe’s goal offered hope of another stirring late comeback like in the Easter matches against Watford and Hull, but Coventry held on to sting Leeds with a rare defeat.
Haji Wright scored his 15th league goal of the season as Coventry beat Leeds
Mark Robins’ side were cheered on by a record crowd of 30,232 at Coventry Arena.
It only added to the feel-good factor among a record crowd of 30,232 here as Coventry look forward to their Wembley FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United in two weeks’ time.
Mark Robins’ side remain four points behind Norwich in the fight for the final play-off spot but have a game in hand.
“They were brilliant against a top team with pace, power and know-how who attack you at great speed,” Robins said.
“Both goals were absolutely brilliant and you need a cushion against them because their team is incredible.
“We had to win because Norwich played very well and we have to keep up with them.”
They took the fight to Leeds and led from the start when Simms scored his 18th goal of the season from close range after Bobby Thomas pushed away a half-cleared corner and Liam Kitching headed past.
Leeds were rocked and goalkeeper Ilian Meslier had to save from Callum O’Hare as the visitors struggled to find fluidity.
The place erupted again four minutes into the second half when birthday boy Josh Eccles delivered a perfect cross and Wright cleverly headed the ball past Meslier to complete a lightning break.
Farke launched Piroe and other attackers, with the Dutchman setting up a frantic finish when he fired home in a packed Coventry box.
But Leeds were unable to salvage their 15-match unbeaten run in the league.
Joel Piroe provided a consolation for the visitors but Coventry held on to secure all three points
After a difficult start to the season, Mark Robins’ team is now just four points away from a playoff spot.
The result marks Leeds’ first league defeat since a 1-0 loss to West Brom in December
“We conceded two relatively cheap goals and then it was a tricky game against a team who are really good at home,” Farke said.
“When you lose the first game of the year in April, it’s difficult to be self-critical towards the guys after such an exceptional run. But I felt we had more to give, so I want them to suffer a little .
