Coventry achieved a string of undesirable firsts as their Premier League return dream took a significant hit on Friday evening.
Frank Lampard’s aspect had been crushed 2-1 at residence by Sunderland within the first leg of their semi-final tie.
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It’s the first time the Sky Blues have tasted defeat within the EFL play-offs inside 90 minutes in what was their seventh match.
Their solely earlier defeat got here on penalties to Luton within the Championship last two seasons in the past.
Nevertheless, their conflict at Wembley Stadium ended stage at 1-1 after 120 minutes of motion.
The Black Cats had taken the lead on the CBS Area by means of Wilson Isidor within the 68th minute.
Coventry had been stage simply moments later, although, as Jack Rudoni produced an instantaneous response with a thumping header.
Sunderland then left it late to grab a winner by means of Eliezer Mayenda two minutes from time.
Mayenda’s purpose secured the Black Cats’ first win away at Coventry since a victory at Highfield Street in April 1985.
The west Midlands outfit had additionally been unbeaten in ten league conferences with their play-off opponents relationship again to a defeat in February 2007.
Regardless of dropping the match, Lampard praised his aspect at full-time, telling Sky Sports activities: “Good efficiency from the workforce, pushed and pushed, dominated possession of the ball and unlucky to be one behind going into the second leg.
“We managed a number of it, it is onerous and I can not blame the gamers actually when it comes to the low block that they had.
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“They defended their field rather well and typically you have to say nicely finished to the opposition. Will the sport seem like this on Tuesday? I am unsure, so it is definitely not time for us to get down about it.”
Requested what he has mentioned to Milan van Ewijk after his mistake result in the winner, he added: “We do not have to speak about that now, he is been good for us.”
Waiting for the second leg, the previous Chelsea boss admitted: “We go once more, easy. Will probably be a tricky sport for us and clearly it is nonetheless very, very shut.”
Regis Le Bris’ aspect will now defend their slender lead on the Stadium of Mild within the second leg on Tuesday.
In the meantime, it’s undesirable historical past for Lampard, who guided his aspect to a fifth place end after taking on in November.
Previous to Friday’s defeat, Coventry had contested six play-off matches with out dropping in 90 minutes.
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Their first post-season marketing campaign in 2018 noticed Mark Robins’ aspect beat Notts County 5-2 on mixture within the semi-finals.
They then adopted that victory up with a 3-1 win over Exeter at Wembley Stadium to clinch promotion to League One.
Robins was as soon as once more in cost two years in the past for a semi-final overcome Middlesbrough.
Nevertheless, they had been then crushed on penalties by Luton within the last after a 1-1 draw.
In addition to ending their unbeaten file, the reverse towards Sunderland additionally prolonged Coventry’s poor residence kind within the play-offs.
Regardless of not dropping of their first two campaigns, the Sky Blues have but to win a house match through the post-season promotion scramble.
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In 2018, they had been held to a 1-1 draw by Notts County earlier than successful 4-1 away.
In the meantime, their residence leg towards Middlesbrough in 2023 ended goalless forward of a slender 1-0 victory on the Riverside three days later.
Coventry should now overturn their one-goal deficit on Wearside subsequent week to maintain alive their hopes of a Premier League return.
The membership haven’t appeared within the top-flight for twenty-four years following relegation in 2001.
Bristol Metropolis or Sheffield United await the winners within the last at Wembley on Could 24, with the Blades main 3-0 on mixture.