FA Cup Quarter Final: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 - 3 Coventry City

[dutchman]

Coventry beat Wolves in FA Cup classic to reach semis



Coventry City stunned Wolverhampton Wanderers to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for only the second time in their history thanks to two stoppage-time goals at Molineux.

The Championship side led through Ellis Simms' strike until the 83rd minute before falling 2-1 behind after Wolves' own dramatic comeback.

But Simms scored again to equalise in the 97th minute and Haji Wright curled in three minutes later to spark wild celebrations.

Mark Robins' men thought their dreams of becoming the first team from outside the top flight to win the FA Cup since 1980 had been dashed when Rayan Ait-Nouri and substitute Hugo Bueno struck in the final seven minutes in response to Simms' controversial opener.

But from nowhere, Simms got his second when he turned home Bobby Thomas' flick at the far post.

Then, with the stadium preparing for extra time, Simms found Wright with a neat lay-off before the 25-year-old found the bottom corner, giving Jose Sa no chance.

Robins and his backroom team raced on to the pitch at the final whistle to celebrate his side booking a return to Wembley, where they were beaten by Luton in last season's Championship play-off final, and where they famously defeated Tottenham in 1987 to win the FA Cup.

It was hard to deny Coventry their victory, even if the manner of it took the breath away. The visitors were purposeful from the first minute and their play had conviction, when their opponents were ponderous.

And in former Everton striker Simms they had a real threat.

The 23-year-old's speed and strength is a major asset even if his dexterity leaves something to be desired, as shown in the first half when he somehow managed to send a side-footed effort straight at Sa when he had half a goal to aim at.

Simms, an £8m summer signing, has a goalscorers' instinct though.

He seized the opportunity to put Coventry ahead with the goal eventually awarded after a long video assistant referee check for a potential handball.

Then, in what felt like the dying embers of a contest his side seemed destined to lose, he was in virtually the same position at the far post to drag his side level.

Simms had the strength to hold off the Wolves defence and ensure Wright had enough time and space to pick his spot for the winning goal.

It was a shattering moment for Wolves boss Gary O'Neil, who must have gone into the nine minutes of stoppage time believing his injury-hit side had saved themselves.

Ait-Nouri in particular did not deserve to be on the losing side.

In a team missing Pedro Neto, Hwang Hee-chan and Matheus Cunha, the Algerian was Wolves' major attacking weapon.

He hit the post with a header as Wolves searched for an equaliser at 1-0 down, then finished neatly after pouncing on Joel Latibeaudiere's mis-control.

Bueno thought he had won it with his first senior goal as he applied a smart finish after Coventry's defence had opened up to invite him to run at them.

Simms had other ideas.

Coventry City manager Mark Robins talking to ITV: "We created a lot of chances, their keeper was probably man of the match and it was one of those games where chances you missed might come back to bite us, 87/88 minutes we're 2-1 down. I was screaming at Fabio Tavares to get up the field because he was defending with eight minutes left.

"He showed real courage, real determination and the finishes were outstanding as well. I'm not sure if Ellis got his first one but the second one definitely was and Haji's, as soon as it left his foot I knew it was in."

How much of an achievement is this?: "It means a lot to everybody. I've been tasked with quite a bit this season, the new owners have wanted a cup run, they've got a cup run, they're getting a cup run and also, we need to try and get into the play-offs three out of five years. It's not an easy feat, not an easy task but I've got incredible support and staff around the team whatever the scoreline is. It drives you on, it just gives you the energy, it's absolutely outstanding."

How proud are you?: "Immensely [proud]. It's really hard to put into words really. It's been a long time since it's happened really and the fact we were not only a goal down but we'd got back into it and went on to win it and deservedly so. We created some really good openings. Some of the football we played was really good and I'm really proud, it's a really proud day."

Chance to make history after a play-off final defeat last time at Wembley?: "Don't spoil it, reality bites and you look at who is left in the competition, we know we've overcome a real giant today, a really good team, a lot of injuries as we've spoken about in the lead up to this."