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Coventry to face Luton in Championship play-off final as Gustavo Hamer sinks Middlesbrough
Coventry to face Luton in Championship play-off final as Gustavo Hamer sinks Middlesbrough
Gustavo Hamer fired Coventry to within one game of the Premier League as they scrapped their way past Middlesbrough into the Championship play-off final. The Brazil-born midfielder’s sweet 57th-minute strike clinched a 1-0 aggregate victory in a desperately tight second leg at the Riverside Stadium. Mark Robins’ side will meet Luton at Wembley on May 27 with a return to the top flight for the first time since 2001 up for grabs. It proved the perfect ending to a day on which the Sky Blues announced their manager had agreed a new four-year contract, but an intensely disappointing one for opposite number Michael Carrick, whose side will spend a seventh year in the second tier as a result. Boro started in confident mood with left-back Ryan Giles threatening repeatedly, although they almost shot themselves in the foot after eight minutes when Viktor Gyokeres picked off Tommy Smith’s ill-judged back-pass, but goalkeeper Zack Steffen came to the rescue with a fine save as the striker attempted to round him. City gradually worked their way into the game and forced a series of free-kicks with defender Kyle McFadzean heading high over from Hamer’s 17th-minute cross, and as Liam Kelly and Ben Sheaf started to make their mark in the middle of the field, there was little to choose between the teams. Both Chuba Akpom and Cameron Archer felt the full force of Coventry’s rugged approach as Sheaf and then McFadzean clattered into them, and referee David Coote eventually lost patience and booked Callum Doyle for a clumsy challenge on Akpom. Jake Bidwell bravely blocked Marcus Forss’ shot from Giles’ deep cross five minutes before the break and Darragh Lenihan headed an Alex Mowatt corner straight at Ben Wilson, but the tie remained finely poised when the half-time whistle sounded. The Sky Blues returned reinvigorated with Jamie Allen conducting affairs menacingly behind lone striker Gyokeres, although the midfielder miskicked from just six yards out after Gyokeres and Sheaf had capitalised on Akpom’s 50th-minute error. And it was the visitors who forced their way in front when Sheaf pounced on Giles’ loose pass to find Gyokeres, who evaded Steffen’s challenge before Hamer took over, stepped inside Forss and fired into the top corner. He might have doubled his tally with 15 minutes remaining, but saw his free-kick crash back off the crossbar with Steffen beaten to preserve Boro’s fading hopes. But despite a last-gasp flurry during which substitute Matt Crooks had the ball in the net from an offside position, Boro were unable to force extra-time. Read More Coventry City aiming to come full circle after journey to hell and back Luton Town one game from the Premier League after comeback win over Sunderland Coventry and Middlesbrough fail to land blow in Championship play-off semi-final Kitman Chris Marsh overcomes illness to help support Coventry’s promotion push Coventry aim to come full circle after journey to hell and back
2023-05-18 05:37
Saudi Arabia is quietly changing its textbooks. Could that lead to acceptance of Israel?
Saudi Arabia is quietly changing its textbooks. Could that lead to acceptance of Israel?
Textbooks in Saudi Arabia have been changing. For years, researchers have been observing a gradual moderation on subjects ranging from gender roles to the promotion of peace and tolerance.
2023-06-19 23:24
Nigeria’s First-Quarter Capital Inflows Drop 28% From a Year Ago
Nigeria’s First-Quarter Capital Inflows Drop 28% From a Year Ago
Capital inflows into Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation declined 28% in the three months through March to $1.1
2023-07-10 01:06
Internet 'not surprised' as Diddy's alleged 'threat to hit' pregnant Kimora Lee Simmons resurfaces amid Cassie Ventura allegations
Internet 'not surprised' as Diddy's alleged 'threat to hit' pregnant Kimora Lee Simmons resurfaces amid Cassie Ventura allegations
The resurfaced interview also claims that Diddy publicly apologized after the threat
2023-11-18 14:32
BOE Rate Seen Rising Beyond 6% After Shock Inflation Reading
BOE Rate Seen Rising Beyond 6% After Shock Inflation Reading
Traders ramped up bets for further Bank of England interest-rate hikes after another shock inflation reading, pricing the
2023-06-21 15:31
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel says season will not be 'satisfactory' even if team wins Bundesliga
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel says season will not be 'satisfactory' even if team wins Bundesliga
Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel says this season has been one to forget for the Bavarian powerhouse, even if still manages to pip Borussia Dortmund to the Bundesliga title on Saturday
2023-05-26 20:30
Xavi coy on whether Lewandowski and other Barcelona players are fit enough to face Real Madrid
Xavi coy on whether Lewandowski and other Barcelona players are fit enough to face Real Madrid
Barcelona has been playing without leading scorer Robert Lewandowksi and regular starters Frenkie de Jong, Pedri González and Jules Koundé for the past month because of injuries
2023-10-27 20:53
Is Fortnite Dying in 2023? No, Player Count Says Otherwise
Is Fortnite Dying in 2023? No, Player Count Says Otherwise
Despite exaggerated claims, Fortnite is not dying in 2023 as proven by its player count of 237,524,910 people in the last 30 days alone.
2023-08-18 02:59
Everything you need to know about 2023 Women's World Cup
Everything you need to know about 2023 Women's World Cup
The biggest stage in women's football is about to kick off with the best teams in the world lining up to compete in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.With less than a month to go, this year’s Women’s World Cup is coming up fast. With the biggest stars and the most teams ever ...
2023-06-21 20:32
A Week In Brooklyn, NY, On A $65,000 Salary
A Week In Brooklyn, NY, On A $65,000 Salary
Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
2023-10-18 23:00
NFL Week 8 Predictions and Picks Against the Spread: Six Best Bets
NFL Week 8 Predictions and Picks Against the Spread: Six Best Bets
NFL Week 8 predictions and picks ATS.
2023-10-24 22:47
'Act like a married man': Internet slams Mauricio Umansky's claims of being just 'good friends' with 'DWTS' partner Emma Slater
'Act like a married man': Internet slams Mauricio Umansky's claims of being just 'good friends' with 'DWTS' partner Emma Slater
Mauricio Umansky was seen holding hands with 'DWTS' partner Emma Slater
2023-10-27 09:46