Coventry City’s hearts were broken on Tuesday night after losing to Sunderland in the Championship play-off semi-final.
Frank Lampard’s men went into the clash at the Stadium of Light 2-1 down on aggregate after losing at the CBS Arena.
But when Ephron Mason-Clark equalised in the 76th minute, Coventry City were dreaming of reaching the Championship play-off final.
The Sky Blues were on top for most of the game, as highlighted by Kevin Phillips’ concerning assessment of Sunderland, with the visitors looking most likely to win on aggregate.
However, after Haji Wright spurned a golden opportunity at the end of the 90 minutes, it was Dan Ballard’s 120th minute header that crushed their dreams of reaching the final at Wembley against Sheffield United.
Lampard’s side were moments away from the game being decided on penalties, but they were denied that chance, and now Paul Merson has offered a similar verdict to the Coventry City boss.
Paul Merson agrees with Frank Lampard’s assessment of Coventry City
Speaking after full-time at the Stadium of Light, Lampard was understandably heartbroken with how his side tasted defeat following a spirited display.
“I am so disappointed for the club, for the players and the fans and the owner and everything. But once the dust settles, I cannot be disappointed with the way they played,” he said.
“I work with them every day and they take on information and they are so together – you could see them on the pitch at the end there. It’s football.”
Lampard was happy with his team’s performance despite the defeat, summarising it simply with two words, ‘it’s football’, and Merson used the same term to describe the heartbreak of conceding a late winner.
“You’ve got to feel sorry for Coventry, I thought Coventry were by far the better side throughout the tie but it’s football, that’s football at the highest level,” the former Arsenal forward said via Sky Sports.
Coventry have the foundations for a promotion challenge in 2025/26
Coventry may have been denied a third Wembley trip in as many years but they can be pleased with the progression they’ve made under Lampard.
When the Chelsea legend was appointed in January, a finish in the top six seemed unthinkable, as the Sky Blues were down in 17th position.
The 46-year-old has won 16 of his 29 Championship matches in charge of the club, ignoring the two results in the play-offs, telling of the impact he’s made.
Should Coventry keep the majority of their squad together this summer and add serious quality in the transfer window, there is no reason why they can’t be challenging for the top two in 2025/26.
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