- Coventry bolstered their play-off ambitions by beating Leeds at the CBS Arena
- Mark Robins’ side are four points behind Norwich in sixth with a game in hand
- Ally McCoist’s pre-Old Firm comments were reckless and irresponsible, says CHRIS SUTTON – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Rival fans just love to proclaim that ‘Leeds are falling apart again’ and Coventry’s were certainly no exception.
That judgement is premature but this defeat – their first in league action in 2024 – felt like a major missed opportunity for Daniel Farke’s promotion chasers.
With Ipswich beaten at lunchtime, Leeds could have returned to the Championship summit. Instead, they put in an off-colour performance totally out of character by recent standards.
After goals by Ellis Simms and Haji Wright inflicted the damage and boosted Coventry’s play-off ambitions, the Leeds mood wasn’t helped by news of Leicester’s late winner filtering down the M69.
Joel Piroe’s goal offered hope of another stirring late revival like in Easter games against Watford and Hull but Coventry held out to sting Leeds with a rare defeat.
Haji Wright netted his 15th Championship goal of the season as Coventry defeated Leeds 2-1
Mark Robins’ side were cheered on by a league-record crowd of 30,232 at the Coventry Arena
It only added to the feel-good factor amongst a league record 30,232 crowd here as Coventry look forward to their Wembley FA Cup semi-final date with Manchester United in two weeks’ time.
Mark Robins’ team remain four points behind Norwich in the fight for the last play-off spot but have a game in hand.
‘They were brilliant against a top, top team with pace, power and knowhow who attack you at speed,’ said Robins.
‘The two goals were absolutely brilliant and you need a cushion against them because their squad is unbelievable.
‘We had to win because Norwich played really well and we have to stay on their coattails.’
They took the fight to Leeds and led early on when Simms nodded home his 18th goal of the season from close-range after Bobby Thomas hooked back a half-cleared corner and Liam Kitching flicked on.
Leeds were rattled and keeper Ilian Meslier had to save from Callum O’Hare as the visitors struggled to find fluency.
The place erupted again four minutes into the second-half when birthday boy Josh Eccles swung in the perfect cross and Wright smartly steered the ball past Meslier to round off a lightning break.
Farke threw on Piroe and other attackers, with the Dutchman setting up a frantic finale when he fired home in a packed Coventry box.
But Leeds were unable to salvage their 15-game unbeaten league run.
Joel Piroe netted a consolation for the visitors but Coventry held firm to secure all three points
After a difficult start to the season Mark Robins’ side are four points off a spot in the playoffs
The result marked Leeds’ first league defeat since a 1-0 loss against West Brom in December
‘We gave away two relatively cheap goals and then it was a tricky game against side who are really good at home,’ said Farke.
‘When you lose the first game of the year in April, its hard to be self-critical with the lads after such an outstanding run. But I felt we had more to give, so I want them to suffer a bit.’
