Coventry Claim M69 Derby Spoils

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Coventry Claim M69 Derby Spoils

Coventry City came out on top in Saturday lunchtime’s M69 Derby, recording a 2-1 victory at Coventry Building Society Arena.

2026-01-17T14:30+00:00

by Sam Jones

Published

17 Jan, 2026

from Coventry Building Society Arena

Coventry Claim M69 Derby Spoils

Coventry City came out on top in Saturday lunchtime’s M69 Derby, recording a 2-1 victory at Coventry Building Society Arena.

Sam Jones

2026-01-17T14:30+00:00

Coventry Claim M69 Derby Spoils

Coventry City came out on top in Saturday lunchtime’s M69 Derby, recording a 2-1 victory at Coventry Building Society Arena.

Sam Jones

2026-01-17T14:30+00:00

Coventry Claim M69 Derby Spoils

Coventry City came out on top in Saturday lunchtime’s M69 Derby, recording a 2-1 victory at Coventry Building Society Arena.

Sam Jones

2026-01-17T14:30+00:00

Coventry Claim M69 Derby Spoils

Coventry City came out on top in Saturday lunchtime’s M69 Derby, recording a 2-1 victory at Coventry Building Society Arena.

Sam Jones

2026-01-17T14:30+00:00

Haji Wright’s late goal saw the Sky Bet Championship leaders claim all three points after Jordan James’ early opener had been cancelled out by Ellis Simms.

It ended in defeat for the Foxes for just the second time in 10 matches against the Sky Blues. A quick turnaround awaits as we head to Wrexham’s STōK Cae Ras on Tuesday evening before welcoming Oxford United to King Power Stadium four days later.

Starting well

A raucous atmosphere greeted the sides as they emerged into the CBS Arena, and that continued into the contest. Quickly becoming a frantic encounter, it was end-to-end from almost the first whistle.

And with 10 on the clock, a free-flowing move saw us go in front. Working the ball from left to right, it came to Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who exchanged a one-two with Abdul Fatawu before flicking the ball into James’ path and our No.6 did the rest, calmly finishing into the near corner. A ninth of the league campaign, it was just the start we were looking for.

It could have been two when James turned provider, crossing for De Cordova-Reid, who forced Carl Rushworth into a smart save, before Caleb Okoli headed the resulting James corner wide.

Frenetic first-half action

Frank Lampard’s side, searching for a response, might have levelled in extraordinary fashion courtesy of Ephron Mason-Clark’s overhead kick, which landed wide, before the Coventry No.10 headed off target from Jay Dasilva’s cross. Jack Rudoni then found space centrally to pull the trigger, but Jakub Stolarczyk would not be tested.

With the Sky Blues battling for an equaliser, it left gaps to exploit and James might have had his second, striking his effort over the bar after leading a quick counter-attack. Oliver Skipp, racing down the right, soon picked out De-Cordova-Reid, who shot straight at Rushworth.

Coventry win it

The Coventry response came just moments after the interval. Rudoni’s shot appeared to be heading on target, though Simms, from close range, made sure it hit the back of the net, guiding the ball in via a deft flick. It was the forward’s sixth goal inside the six-yard box this season – more than any other Championship player.

On loan Crystal Palace winger Romain Esse struck the post as the hosts looked to turn the screw and seize the momentum, prior to Stolarczyk preventing Wright from initially adding his name to the scoresheet, keeping the substitute out from a tight angle.

Our best second-half chance, meanwhile, fell Fatawu’s way as he marauded down the right before unleashing a strike towards the near top corner which Rushworth managed to stop. Patson Daka, off the bench late on, also found sight of goal, but wasn’t able to trouble the Coventry shot-stopper.

Missed chances would prove costly. With 86 minutes on the clock, the ball, falling to Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, was parried by Stolarczyk, with Wright able to slide in and finish on the line. That would be that on what was ultimately a frustrating afternoon for the Foxes.

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