Coventry reach Championship play-off final...

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Middlesbrough 0-1 Coventry (Agg: 0-1)

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Hamer fires Sky Blues to Wembley with play-offs winner



Gustavo Hamer fired Coventry City to Wembley with a stunning top corner finish in a brilliant team display against Middlesbrough.

The Sky Blues midfielder was outstanding throughout and scored the decisive goal in the second half to book City’s place in the play-off final against Luton a week on Saturday - just one more step away from the Premier League.

It was a frantic first half with the hosts taking the game to City from the first whistle, with Callum Doyle cutting out a Ryan Giles centre and Kyle McFadzean dispossessing Cameron Archer in the box in the opening five minutes.

Viktor Gyokeres raced onto a mis-placed Tommy Smith pass shortly after but goalkeeper Zack Steffen dived at his feet as he attempted to go round him to score, as both sides looked a threat in an electric atmosphere at the Riverside Stadium.

Gyokeres was having a right battle with centre-half Paddy McNair who picked up a booking with a deliberate foul as the striker attempted to turn him in the middle of the park, ensuring the defender had to watch his step for the remainder of the game.

Despite end to end action, with counter attack after counter attack, there was only one attempt on target in the entire open 45, and that came on the strike of the interval when Darragh Lenihan got his head to a corner but directed it straight into Ben Wilson’s hands to ensure the two sides went in all square at the break.

Ben Sheaf sparked a promising attack early in the second period when he won the ball and played a one-two with Gyokes to get into the box, only for his deflected cross to meet Allen who couldn’t get any power on his shot. But the visitors looked confident and capable of finding a way through.

Sheaf then lifted the ball over the top for Gyokeres to touch onto Hamer who controlled the ball, cut inside onto his right passed Forss and McNair before picking his spot into the top corner to give Coventry a 57th minute lead.

City grew in confidence with Hamer thumping the crossbar from a 25-yard free-kick before the inevitable Boro fight-back with a spell of sustained pressure, while also looking vulnerable to the counter attack. But Coventry threw their bodies on the line, blocking and tacking in and around the box.

The visitors were dealt a blow when McFadzean limped off with what appeared to be cramp five minutes from time, replaced by Panzo. And City had to endure eight long and nervous minutes of added time, during which Boro hit the bar.

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Coventry beat Middlesbrough to make play-off final



Coventry City found a way past Middlesbrough in an attritional semi-final second leg to reach the Championship play-off final and keep alive the Sky Blues' hopes of a Premier League return.

They will face Luton Town in the showpiece decider at Wembley on Saturday, 27 May.

After 147 goalless minutes across both games in a tension-gripped tie low on moments of genuine quality, playmaker Gustavo Hamer delivered an outstanding finish to ultimately settle the contest.

After Boro gave possession away on halfway, Viktor Gyokeres toed the ball into space beyond goalkeeper Zack Steffen on the edge of the box and Hamer took control to arc his shot into the roof of the net with precision.

He almost conjured up a second with a blistering free-kick which smacked the angle of post and bar with Steffen beaten.

That chance, and the subsequent desperation seemed to rally Boro, who saw Riley McGree's shot blocked in the box as they chased an equaliser, while McGree cut back for Cameron Archer but he could not bring the ball down and get a clean shot away.

Substitute Matt Crooks had the ball in the net, and Boro fans on their feet, with two minutes to go but an offside flag brought their celebrations to a halt.

Eight minutes of added time again prompted the Boro roar, and goalkeeper Ben Wilson had to be alert to tip Isaiah Jones' searching centre over, while Archer was offside when he hit the bar with a late effort.

Somehow the Sky Blues clung on, keeping their discipline, shape and a clean sheet to book their Wembley spot.

Coventry manager Mark Robins told BBC CWR:

"Wow, that was the longest two hours of my life.

"It was unbelievable, the effort they put in, the quality they've shown at times in the game against a really, really top opponent, is phenomenal.

"To get to a Wembley final again, the third one since I came back here, is just incredible. Everybody deserves it, the work that has gone into it this year and tonight is phenomenal. They got their just rewards, but we've got to go to Wembley and win. That's absolutely the aim."

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Has Andy Street claimed the credit, yet?

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Not quite Andy Street...

Outgoing Lord Mayor thrilled by Coventry City's success



Coventry's outgoing Lord Mayor has congratulated the Sky Blues on getting to the Championship play-off final. Cllr Kevin Maton praised the "phenomenal" journey of the Sky Blues and said it was an "incredible achievement" for the club and city.

The football club will face Luton Town at Wembley on Saturday, May 27 - a stark change from when both were in League Two for the 2017/18 season.

Cllr Maton said he was "unbelievably proud" of the team's success after Coventry City defeated Middlesbrough 1-0 to get through to the final. He said: "I would like to say a big congratulations to Coventry City Football Club for making the Championship play-off final. What an incredible achievement for our club and our city.

"As a dedicated season ticket holder, I am unbelievably proud of this success. The work that has gone into Coventry’s journey is phenomenal. It’s been a tough road, but to get to this point is a fantastic achievement.

"The team put in an unbelievable performance against a top opponent in Middlesbrough last night (Wednesday, May 7) and the effort and the quality they’ve shown is outstanding. The support not only last night, but throughout Coventry’s whirlwind journey has been nothing less than superb. The fans are testament to the brilliant achievements earned by this club, and long may that continue.

"Like so many others, I wish the team the very best of luck in their final game against Luton at Wembley. I hope to get my ticket so I can cheer on the Sky Blues in what could be their next step into the Premier League!"