Coventry extended their advantage at the top of the Sky Bet Championship with a 4-2 win over Middlesbrough thanks to late goals from Liam Kitching and Ellis Sims.
The Sky Blues scored two early strikes in the opening 15 minutes, taking the lead with a superb top corner shot from Sims and a header from Kitching.
Boro responded before the break through Morgan Whittaker, and minutes after the restart they equalized through a Bobby Thomas own goal.
The match appeared to be a draw, but Kitching and Sims scored goals within a minute of each other with five minutes left in regular time, leaving Coventry 10 points behind the Teessiders and dropping them into third place in the table.
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In the Sky Bet Championship, Coventry beat Middlesbrough 4-2, extending their lead at the top with two late goals from Liam Kitching and then Ellis Sims.
Boro’s new manager Kim Helberg was introduced to the Riverside crowd before kick-off following his appointment on Monday, with Adi Viveash finally taking charge of the home team on an interim basis.
The hosts threatened from the offset when Whittaker’s teasing cross was cleared, but he was at the center of yet another promising chance and had his own chance deflected behind after teeing up Sam Silvera.
Despite Boro’s bright start, Coventry suddenly took the lead in the 10th minute when Victor Tope slotted a ball through the middle of the pitch to Sims on the left and the striker curled a sweet curling shot into the top corner.
Just four minutes later, the visitors quickly doubled their advantage when skipper Matt Grimes flicked the ball into the box for Kitching to slot into the top corner.
Coventry looked to pounce again when Simms played a through ball, but was thwarted by Luke Ayling’s superb sliding challenge inside the box.
Boro began to see the ball better and in the 32nd minute Alan Browne’s cross was flicked on by Alfie Jones for Whittaker to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Early in the second half, Sims was denied by a big hand from Sol Bryn and Carl Rushworth was brought on at the other end, making a superb diving save to deny Whittaker’s fierce shot.
Boro then equalized in the 49th minute when Thomas hit the back post with a corner kick.
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Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway missed a good opportunity with the score level in the 4-2 defeat to Coventry in the Sky Bet Championship.
The hosts took control, clearing a number of dangerous crosses before Coventry had a chance, with Bryn keeping out Thomas’ header.
Another move for the Sky Blues saw Grimes approach from the edge of the area, but his powerful first strike hit teammate Tatsuhiro Sakamoto.
Boro opened the scoring in the 75th minute when Callum Britten passed across the box to Tommy Conway and the striker’s shot went wide.
Coventry produced some devastating periods in the final stages of the game to ensure they extended their lead at the top.
Thomas’ shot was saved by Bullin, and the rebound fell into the path of Kitching, who scored in the 85th minute.
Just a minute later, Sims scored the winner by nodding in Jay Dasilva’s cross.
managers
Middlesbrough interim manager Adi Viveash said:
“In those five minutes, we had a great chance at 2-2 and they got the third goal, but we were still in the game at 3-2, so even the fourth goal was disappointing.”That was a bit of a punch.
“I think it was a high-quality, Championship-level game and I think Coventry did not disappoint.
“I thought we played our part more than enough in it. We had some big moments at times and had some strong periods in it.
“Key moments didn’t go our way and at one point they took advantage of our weaknesses.
“I’m disappointed with all four goals. You can’t concede four goals in any game in the Championship.”
Frank Lampard of Coventry:
“We keep doing what we have to do. It’s still early in the season. We’re watching the league. Nobody’s stupid. We’ve got a good team around us.
“Ipswich and Southampton and those teams were in the Premier League last year and working at a different level to us, so we know they can do big things.
“What we’re trying to do is do what we’re supposed to do…Be confident in what we’re doing at this point, but try to stay grounded and understand what got us to this place and continue to do that.”
