Coventry celebrated the Sky Bet Championship title with a 3-1 win, leaving Wrexham’s play-off ambitions intact.
The Sky Blues were in a party mood after Frank Lampard’s side clinched the title on Tuesday, hoisting the trophy in front of their lively fans after the final whistle.
Brandon Thomas-Asante put the hosts ahead with a volley in the 19th minute at the CBS Arena, but Ollie Rathbone quickly responded for sixth-placed Wrexham.
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Coventry Lift Champion Trophy to be celebrated at Coventry Building Society Arena!
The goal was a welcome one for the visitors, but 10 minutes before the end of the game, substitute Victor Tope smashed in a powerful free-kick that Danny Ward had to curl into the roof of the net.
Efron Mason-Clarke put the cherry on Coventry’s cake with a classy finish in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Speaking to fans on the pitch as his players celebrated their silver medal, Lampard said: “The biggest thing is that a football club is only as big as the people who support it.
“You’ve been down so many times, you’ve been to different stadiums, because when you’re born this way, you never change. You’ve been through everything.
“One of the greatest joys we have as a group is to give you the joy of this moment. This moment belongs to you.”
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Frank Lampard addressed the Coventry faithful after his team lifted the Championship trophy
Wrexham go into Saturday’s final round with a minimal advantage in the race for a play-off final spot.
They are level with Hull on 70 points, with just one point difference over the Tigers, with Derby still trailing by one point.
In what promises to be a tense afternoon, Wrexham face Middlesbrough, Hull take on Norwich and Derby take on Sheffield United, with all three teams finishing at home.
Thousands of Coventry fans held up ‘We Are Back’ placards before kick-off to mark the team’s return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years.
Wrexham return to the stadium with fond memories for their supporters after scoring a giant kill in the FA Cup in 2023 during their National League days.
The Sky Blues were given a guard of honor by their opponents, who are chasing a league double, after a 3-2 win at the Racecourse in October.
Early shots were blocked on both sides, with George Thomason and Frank Onyeka unable to find a way through a congested defence.
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Brandon Thomas-Asante opened the scoring for Coventry against Wrexham.
The party atmosphere went up a notch when Thomas-Asante darted between Callum Doyle and Thomason to meet Mason-Clarke’s cross from a few yards out.
Coventry’s lead remained for just six minutes as George Dobson played a nice ball down the right to Issa Cavoa.
The wing-backs had space to attack and Rathbone delivered a strong, low cross from 14 yards out.
Coventry had two-thirds of the ball in the first half, but Wrexham threatened on the counterattack with Josh Windass hitting the side netting and Thomasson hitting the upright.
Ten minutes after the restart, Ward made his first meaningful save to deny Haji Wright’s header at the base of the posts, after Milan van Eijwik had been the Sky Blues’ top scorer.
Carl Rushworth was similarly alert to prevent Sam Smith from splitting the Coventry defense from Dobson’s through ball, and his save was crucial.
Tope won the argument to take the free-kick and the Danish midfielder produced a beauty before Mason Clarke capped off a memorable season for the Sky Blues.
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Victor Torpe scored a superb free-kick to put Coventry ahead against Wrexham.
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Frank Lampard of Coventry:
“First of all, I have to say a lot of thanks to a lot of people. I want to thank this great group of players. We formed 16 months ago and have added players along the way, and all the new players have joined us. This is a great group of players. They’re talented and united.”
“May I also thank all the staff who work behind the scenes? They may not be recognized every week, but they are just as important.
“A huge thank you to Dean Austin and Doug King for recruiting these great players.
“I can’t miss my wife and two children. My family is a big family. I’m grateful to my wife, partner, children and parents for supporting me.
“The biggest thing is that a football club is only as great as the number of people who support it. You’ve been down so many times, you’ve been to different stadiums, because when you’re born this way you never change. You’ve been through everything.
“One of the greatest joys we have as a group is to give you the joy of this moment. This moment belongs to you.”
Phil Parkinson from Wrexham:
“After 45 games, we’re in the team and it’s in our hands heading into the final week of the season.
“We knew that goal difference was important so we wanted to win the game but at the same time we had to stay positive that we were ahead of Hull on goal difference.
“The third goal is an unfair reflection on the game, but we are still ahead of Hull on goal difference.
“It’s all about playing and we have a chance to get over the line next week.”
