A Haji Wright hat-trick has helped Frank Lampard’s Coventry City claim one of their biggest scalps this season.
The American international’s three goals ensured the Sky Blues recorded a dominant 3-0 victory over fourth-placed Sunderland at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Wright scored twice in the first half, including a penalty, before completing his hat-trick in the 73rd minute to take his league tally to ten goals from 19 games.
It was a dominant display from Lampard’s side as they peppered Sunderland with 21 shots in total, five of which were on target.
Unfortunately for the Black Cats, the defeat ensured an alarming run would remain for at least another season.
The 3-0 result meant the Black Cats are winless in their last 11 league visits to Coventry, having drawn five and now lost six.
As for Sunderland’s last win on the road against Coventry, that came in April 1985 when the two sides competed in the English top flight.
For Coventry, the win marked a much-needed return to form having lost 2-0 away to Derby County in their previous Championship fixture.
The victory also kept Lampard’s side firmly in the hunt for the play-offs as they sit fifth on 59 points, two ahead of West Bromwich Albion and Bristol City who are sixth and seventh respectively.
Although the Sky Blues remain ten points behind fourth-placed Sunderland, a sixth win from their last seven will have the Black Cats nervously looking over their shoulders.
Since Lampard’s first game in charge last November, the Coventry Building Society Arena has become a fortress for the club.
The Sky Blues have lost only twice from 13 home games, one of which came against Premier League side Ipswich Town in the FA Cup.
Coventry’s surge into the play-off spots under Lampard is one of the stories of the season given the Chelsea great took over the club when they were 17th.
Should the Sky Blues hold on to fifth place by the regular season’s conclusion, it will mark the second time in Lampard’s managerial career he has steered a Championship club to the play-offs.
Lampard accomplished the feat during his first senior managerial role with Derby County during the 2018/19 season.
Unfortunately the former Chelsea and Everton boss could not get the Rams over the final hurdle as they were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa in the play-off final at Wembley.
More to follow…
