Coventry City secure vital win against second-place Middlesbrough

Frank Lampard's Coventry City hosted Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship last night. Prior to the game, the Sky Blues were in second place, while Boro were top of the table.

Lampard's side knew a win would put them first in the league, while a draw or a win for Middlesbrough would keep them top.

Coventry City went into the game having won only two of their previous nine, while Middlesbrough went into the clash off the back of six Championship wins in a row. The in-form team were seeking their seventh league win in a row, and deal Lampard's side a big blow in their push for promotion.

The Sky Blues went into the top of the table clash with the fourth-best home record in the division, while Middlesbrough travelled to the Coventry Building Society Arena with the best away record this season in the Championship.

The score was opened by Coventry City's Haji Wright, who netted in the 21st minute. The US striker gave his team an important lead in one of their most important games of the season. Despite Boro having the majority of possession in the first half, they failed to register a single shot on target in the match and trailed. At half-time, the hosts were 1-0 up and were 45 minutes away from a huge win.

Kim Hellberg's side came out in the second half with fire in their belly and looked to be on the front foot in the first 10 minutes of the half, but Haji Wright dealt a deflating blow to Boro.

A long kick up the pitch from City goalkeeper Carl Rushworth found the feet of Wright, who slotted home past the away team's goalkeeper, doubling Coventry's advantage.

While Coventry were cruising, Middlesbrough's Riley McGree pulled one back for the visitors in the 67th minute. It was the Australian's second goal in his last two matches, and the goal could have been the most important one he had scored this season.

For all of the momentum Boro gained from the goal they pulled back, a penalty was awarded to the hosts for a handball on Matty Targett, giving Coventry the opportunity to finish the match from the spot kick. Haji Wright stepped up and slotted low into the bottom left corner, beating the outstretched Solomon Brynn, and sealed his hat-trick against the side who were top of the league prior to kick-off.

Wright's third goal of the game took him to second in the league's golden boot race, two behind Swansea City's Zan Vipotnik, who has 15 so far.

Since the start of December, Coventry had played 14 games, winning only four across the league and the FA Cup before facing Middlesbrough, but the win against the North East side could see the fortunes of the Sky Blues change, going into their last 14 Championship fixtures.