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The 2023 Championship playoff final tie is now confirmed as a second club advances through, Coventry beating Middlesbrough to face Luton.
Coming into Wednesday night’s clash, we, then knew that Boro and the Sky Blues drew 1-1 at the Riverside Stadium on the final day of regular season, then played out a goalless draw in the playoff semi final first leg.
Boro finished the campaign in fourth, Coventry sat five points behind in fifth, with it all to play for in the playoffs, and knew whoever won would go on to take play against Luton in the final on the 27th of May.
Sunderland were in control after winning 2-1 in the first leg, but the Hatters were up for a fight and deservedly won 2-0 (3-2 on aggregate), to go one game away from making the Premier League.
The second leg at Middlesbrough was a dramatic one, but was waiting to explode. The fans knew that a draw in normal time would see the tie go to extra time.
On the first half, which finished goalless, Matt Newsum for BBC Sport, said: “The atmosphere has been bubbling like a bottle of champagne amid a wall of noise, but the game itself has probably been more white cider – tough to stomach but strangely producing a buzz.
“That’s not to say it’s not been dramatic and exciting, but in terms of pure quality, you’d probably be dredging the Tees metaphorically.
“One word for the Middlesbrough fans, they’ve been giving Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson some stick on goal-kicks – questioning both his parentage and his gut proportions. If he’s fat then God help us all!”
Neil Maddison (Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees): “Middlesbrough started the game ever so well. But I don’t think either keeper has been tested yet.
“It has been an intriguing contest, both teams don’t want to make a mistake.
“A little bit of nervous tension out there. It’s just a tight game. But it’s all to play for.”
Steve Ogrizovic (Ex-Coventry City goalkeeper on BBC CWR): “That was a very entertaining first half – I still can’t separate these sides.
“Coventry have been much more aggressive and brave in the way they’ve pressed higher up the pitch, and that’s suited them.
“It’s a really good gameplan, but it can be dangerous if they lose the ball in key areas.”
We did finally have a breakthrough in this game.
57 mins
GOAL – Middlesbrough 0-1 Coventry (Agg: 0-1)
Gustavo Hamer
Viktor Gyokeres got on the end of a long ball forward, bringing Zack Steffen out from his line as a result. Gustavo Hamer collected the ball, steadied himself, darted away from Marcus Forss and then aimed with a beauty scored!
“COVENTRY CITY MAKE THEIR MOVE!” ⚡ pic.twitter.com/6AE7AbdVqN
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 17, 2023
On the 70th minute, Coventry almost had a second, with Gustavo Hamer delivering a beauty of a free-kick that dipped just a second too late, smashing the crossbar with Zack Steffen beaten. Boro lucky there.
HAMER SO CLOSE! 😲 pic.twitter.com/d2ME7uX0zV
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 17, 2023
70: OFF THE BAR! Incredible. Coventry almost had a second, there. Gustavo Hamer delivers a beauty of a free-kick that dips just a second too late, cannoning off the crossbar with Zack Steffen beaten!
88: BALL IN THE NET! Almost the dream start for Matt Crooks, who headed a teasing ball from deep over the line, but the linesman spotted an offside in the build-up.
90+7: OFF THE BAR! Matt Crooks’ connection on Barlaser’s delivery fell for Cameron Archer, who hit it onto the crossbar from six yards! Fortunately for him, the offside flag has been raised.
Liam Kelly on Sky Sports Football: “We had to dig really, really deep, but it’s the play-offs and it’s what you have to do. It was thoroughly deserved and we can’t wait for the final.”
Viktor Gyokeres: “We had a target to reach the play-offs, but it was tough when we couldn’t play out home games at the start of the season. After a few days’ rest, we’re going to prepare for the final.”
COVENTRY CITY ARE HEADING TO WEMBLEY! ✅ pic.twitter.com/KjSqr7LZkp
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 17, 2023
Rob Law (BBC Radio Tees): “Almost everybody – when that whistle went from referee David Coote – just falling down on to the turf.
“I’m just looking now at Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom who has his red shirt over his face.
“He is absolutely broken, he is in pieces, the man who has had the season of his life.”
Steve Ogrizovic (Ex-Coventry City goalkeeper on BBC CWR): “That is the most complete performance under intense pressure.
“The Coventry gameplan from the start was brilliant.
“They pressed, they were brave, they were higher up the pitch.
“They have defended manfully. It is going to be a great occasion at Wembley.”
Sky Sports’ Jobi McAnuff:
“Coventry were tactically absolutely perfect in both legs because this is such a potent attacking force we’ve seen under Michael Carrick. To keep them goalless takes organisation but will and desire from the players to buy into what the manager is asking.”
Sky Sports’ Hal Robson-Kanu:
“Incredible. This is the stuff that fairytales are made of. These boys have been through it over the course of multiple seasons. It’s phenomenal to see.
“It was about who was willing to work harder and the Coventry players put a shift in, and some. They fully deserved that victory.
“It shows when you have togetherness, what you can do as a group. When you look at the teams in this league, there are some big, big clubs which have just come down from the Premier League who are unable to make the play-offs.
“These players, on paper, maybe just scrape the play-offs but their performance over the course of the season is incredible to see.”
‘We want to win the final now… there’s no point just turning up’
Liam Kelly and Viktor Gyokeres react after Coventry beat Middlesbrough 1-0 to reach the Play-off final 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/OjwVAdTU7f— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 17, 2023
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last two nights. Congrats to @Coventry_City. I must say: I am delighted we have a final between two clubs (@LutonTown the other) whose fans have had such dark days and either team will be a good addition to the @PremierLeague. #EFL #CCFC pic.twitter.com/ZkBz1y3LMs
— Justin Allen (@justinallen1976) May 17, 2023
Player of the Match Gustavo Hamer on Sky Sports Football: “We train a lot on counter-attacks and I think we had stats and facts that we are one of the best teams in the league with counter-attacks. I got the ball from Vik and thought that if I shot straightaway I was going to miss the target, so I took a little bit more time for myself and I shot it in the top corner!
“I always score free-kicks in training and then, in a match, I always miss the target. I had to hit the target one day; it’s still not a goal, but I’ll take the 1-0.”
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick on Sky Sports: “We didn’t end up creating enough chances. I thought we played some good football over the two legs and it was the final pass.
“But I can’t knock the boys. We’ve had a fantastic few months… I’m so, so proud of the group. I’m genuinely so proud of the boys and all the staff for what we’ve done, we’ve just come up a bit short tonight.
“I’m gutted for the fans. The support we’ve had has been unbelievable, but it’s a tough one. These experiences are never nice.
“Congratulations to Coventry for the run they’ve been on. They’re a good team, well organised and Mark and his staff have done an unbelievable job.”
This is what fans had to say with 2023 Championship playoff final tie confirmed as a second club advances through…
@ltfckieren: Here we bloody go then! We love to see it. May the best team win. 🤝
@LiamK1998_: I really hope you do it especially what you guys went through under SISU from a Newcastle fan
@beatts84: Villa fan here. Congrats. Coventry are a huge club and be great to see you back another midlands club in the PL. Go smash that tin pot club 👍
@CalumBright_: Luton Town v Coventry for a place in the Premier League. Wow. Unreal from both 👏
@KatLT14: Wanted you guys to join us in the final for all the right reasons. Whatever happens its been incredible for both sides. See you at WEMBLEY!!!!! 🧡
@heyitsrichy: Well played lads, deserved overall. Defended for your lives and took your chances. Best of luck in the final, hope you do it.
@ajobbowfc: Fair play lads, unreal. One of the best defensive performances I’ve seen in a while. Robins masterclass
@iamgavsteele: I can’t speak.. dunno what to do with myself.. fucking unbelievable PUSB 💙💙💙💙💙💙
@MaskelyneGary: After the sh*t you have been through over the years Well deserved hope you go up, Swindon Town supporter.
@marksmithccfc: Best night of my CCFC supporting life watching live anyway. A performance of resilience, togetherness. Unbelievable! A long 5 hour journey home to Beds, but I don’t care, football has aged me but it’s so brilliant! #PUSB
@stevehowden13: Tell you what…. from a Boro fan this. 3 epic battles there, not much in it but tonight you showed up. And so did your centre forward. Another 50/50 final game. But good luck Cov
@dubdec: Well done Coventry City and your long suffering fans over the last few years. To be 90 minutes from the promised land of the Premier League is wonderful Hope the dream comes through. ⚽
@Oohyoohy72: Coventry_City To see what our club has been through over the last decade, to see where we were start of the season, Rock bottom, points adrift to where we are today. Miraculous and courageous performance by MR / AV and all the players / squad #PUSB #Wembley ⚽️⚽️
