Football Apr 28, 2026

Coventry City 3-1 Wrexham: Champions lift trophy in style to send Welsh side's play-off hopes to final day

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Coventry City 3-1 Wrexham: Champions lift trophy in style to send Welsh side's play-off hopes to final day

Coventry celebrated their Sky Bet Championship title with a 3-1 victory that leaves Wrexham’s play-off ambitions in the balance.

The Sky Blues were in party mood after Frank Lampard's side had wrapped up the title on Tuesday and they lifted the trophy in front of their buoyant fans after the final whistle.

Brandon Thomas-Asante volleyed the hosts ahead after 19 minutes at the CBS Arena, but Ollie Rathbone replied quickly for sixth-placed Wrexham.

A point would have been welcome for the visitors but - 10 minutes from time - substitute Victor Torp drove home a powerful free-kick which Danny Ward could only help into the roof of the net.

Ephron Mason-Clark put the cherry on Coventry's cake with a classy finish in the fourth minute of stoppage-time.

Addressing fans on the pitch as his players celebrated their silverware, Lampard said: "The biggest thing is the football club is only as big as the people who support it.

"You've been down a lot, you've been to different stadiums, because when you're born this way, you're never going to change. You've gone through everything.

"One of the biggest pleasures we get as a group is giving you the joy of this moment. This moment is yours."

Wrexham head into the last round of games on Saturday with the smallest of advantages in the race for the final play-off place.

Level on 70 points with Hull, they now have a superior goal difference of just one over the Tigers, while Derby remain in the hunt just a point back.

On what is sure to be a tense afternoon, all three finish at home, with Wrexham playing Middlesbrough, Hull hosting Norwich, while Derby entertain Sheffield United.

Thousands of Coventry fans held up "We Are Back" placards before kick-off to mark their return to the Premier League after a 25-year absence.

Wrexham were back at a stadium holding fond memories for their supporters following an FA Cup giant-killing in 2023 during the club's National League days.

The Sky Blues were given a guard of honour by opponents seeking a league double after their 3-2 Racecourse victory in October.

There were early shots blocked at either end with George Thomason and Frank Onyeka unable to find a way through congested defences.

The party atmosphere went up several notches when Thomas-Asante made a darting run between Callum Doyle and Thomason to fire home Mason-Clark's cross from a few yards out.

Coventry's lead remained intact for only six minutes as George Dobson delivered a delightful ball down the right for Issa Kabore.

The wing-back had space to attack and Rathbone dispatched his low cross from 14 yards out in emphatic fashion.

Although Coventry had two-thirds possession in the first half, Wrexham carried a threat on the counter-attack with Josh Windass rippling the side netting and Thomason striking an upright.

Ward made his first meaningful save 10 minutes after the restart to keep out out a Haji Wright header at the base of a post after the Sky Blues' top scorer was found by Milan van Ewijk.

Carl Rushworth was just as alert to prevent Sam Smith profiting from a Dobson's through ball that split the Coventry defence and the save was to prove crucial.

Torp won the argument to take the free-kick and the Danish midfielder produced a beauty before Mason-Clark crowned a season to remember for the Sky Blues.

Coventry's Frank Lampard:

"The first thing I must say is thanks to so many people. I want to thank this incredible group of players. We came together 16 months ago and we've added players along the way and everyone who has come in has added. This group is an amazing bunch of lads. Talented, together.

"Can I also thank every member of staff who works behind the scenes. They don't get the credit every week but they're as important.

"A massive thank you to Dean Austin who has recruited these brilliant players and then to Doug King.

"I can't miss out my wife and two children. Family is massive, all the wives, partners, children, parents who support them, thank you so much.

"The biggest thing is the football club is only as big as the people who support it. You've been down a lot, you've been to different stadiums, because when you're born this way, you're never going to change. You've gone through everything.

"One of the biggest pleasures we get as a group is giving you the joy of this moment. This moment is yours."

Wrexham's Phil Parkinson:

"After 45 games, we're in the mix and it's in our hands going into the last week of the season.

"We knew goal difference was important and we had to make sure we stayed positive above Hull with that, whilst wanting to win the game.

"The third goal is an unfair reflection on the game, but we're still ahead of Hull on goal difference.

"It's all to play for and we've got an opportunity next week to get over the line."

Tags:

football report

Share this article

Related Posts

Leicester 1-3 Chelsea: Sam Kerr becomes Blues' all-time WSL top scorer as club secures Women's Champions League spot

Leicester 1-3 Chelsea: Sam Kerr becomes Blues' all-time WSL top scorer as club secures Women's Champions League spot

Sam Kerr's early header set Chelsea on their way to a 3-1 win at Leicester that secured their Women's Champions League spot for next season, and made...

EFL play-offs 2026: Schedule, fixtures and Wembley finals for Championship, League One and League Two

EFL play-offs 2026: Schedule, fixtures and Wembley finals for Championship, League One and League Two

The EFL have confirmed the dates for the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two play-offs.All three divisions' regular seasons will c...

Sir Alex Ferguson: Man Utd legend taken to hospital after feeling unwell ahead of his former side's Premier League game with Liverpool

Sir Alex Ferguson: Man Utd legend taken to hospital after feeling unwell ahead of his former side's Premier League game with Liverpool

Sir Alex Ferguson was taken to hospital after feeling unwell ahead of Manchester United vs Liverpool on Sunday. The 84-year-old legendary United boss,...

Watch Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, NOW TV, team news and score prediction

Watch Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, NOW TV, team news and score prediction

Chelsea host Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Monday May 4, live on Your Site.The Blues play their first league game sinc...

EFL final day: Bromley seal League Two title; Harrogate, Barrow drop into non-league & League One play-off drama

EFL final day: Bromley seal League Two title; Harrogate, Barrow drop into non-league & League One play-off drama

Neville names the FOUR priority signings for Man Utd this summerYour Site' Gary Neville says Man Utd must make FOUR key signings this summer to go to...

Brentford 3-0 West Ham: Hammers suffer damaging defeat to give Tottenham chance to move out of Premier League relegation zone

Brentford 3-0 West Ham: Hammers suffer damaging defeat to give Tottenham chance to move out of Premier League relegation zone

West Ham have presented Tottenham with the opportunity to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone after suffering a damaging 3-0 defeat at Bre...