Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough: Stalemate between promotion hopefuls

Coventry 0-0 Middlesbrough: Championship play-off semi-final first leg ends in a stalemate – with Chuba Akpom coming closest to scoring when his shot was saved on to the crossbar

  • Chuba Akpom hit the crossbar early after his effort was denied by Ben Wilson
  • Boro had the ball in the net before the break but Isaiah Jones was ruled offside
  • Coventry pressured their visitors late on but were unable to fashion a winner

Two significant figures in Manchester United’s modern history are no closer to knowing whether they will face their former club next season as Coventry and Middlesbrough could not be separated in their play-off opener.

Coventry boss Mark Robins and his Boro counterpart Michael Carrick will duel for the third time in 10 days on May 17, with the winner reaching the Championship play-off Final – often dubbed the richest game in football.

Robins’ goals in United’s 1990 FA Cup-winning campaign are widely credited with saving Sir Alex Ferguson’s job, and Carrick won 18 trophies at the club. Yet leading their teams to promotion would at least equal anything they achieved at United.

Robins was in charge when Coventry, who have not played in the Premier League since 2001, won the League Two play-offs only five years ago while Boro were in a mess when Carrick took charge. Both deserve huge credit for taking their teams this far but by Wednesday evening, only one will still be dreaming of a trip to Old Trafford next season.

In a hugely tense encounter, Boro had far more of the ball but struggled to break down Coventry’s solid 5-3-2 structure. Their top scorer Chuba Akpom had an effort pushed on to the post early and also headed past it soon after half-time, while Isaiah Jones had a goal ruled out for offside. 

Championship top scorer Chuba Akpom was unable to break the deadlock as the play-off semi-final first-leg finished goalless

Michael Carrick’s side dominated the early part of the first half but were unable to take the lead

The two former Manchester United stars were forced to watch their side’s play to a stalemate

Gustavo Hamer was outstanding in midfield for the home side, but their other star man Viktor Gyokeres was subdued, ensuring a quiet afternoon for Boro keeper Zack Steffen.

With the energy around the stadium, it was a surprise to see Coventry start so cautiously, even though a conservative approach has served them well throughout the campaign.

Fearful of granting Cameron Archer space behind their defence, the Sky Blues sat deep and allowed Boro to click into their passing rhythm. It nearly produced an early goal, too, as Riley McGree released Akpom and Ben Wilson made a vital touch on the forward’s finish, diverting it on to the woodwork.

Akpom was comfortably the Championship’s top scorer with 28 goals in the regular season so this was a let-off for the home side.

Boro continued to dominate, bewildering Coventry with their passing and movement – though Robins’ men kept their shape effectively and Hamer was doing the work of two players. 

Up front, however, their 21-goal centre-forward Viktor Gyokeres was struggling to make an impression on Boro centre-backs Paddy McNair and Darragh Lenihan, who were also shackling Matty Godden effectively.

Viktor Gyokeres was consistently denied the opportunity to continue his goalscoring form from the regular season

Paddy McNair was pivotal in denying the hosts the opportunity to go in front as they controlled the latter stages

The tie will now be decided in the second-leg at the Riverside on Wednesday evening

Coventry did not have an effort on goal until just before the half-hour mark, when Liam Kelly headed Jake Bidwell’s corner wide. Moments later, Kelly had a shot blocked after latching on to Gyokeres’ lay-off.

At the other end, Callum Doyle recovered well to deny Isaiah Jones after his wayward pass had let Boro in, before Jones sneaked inside Bidwell to slot in Alex Mowatt’s pass, only for the offside flag to silence the visitors’ celebrations.

Having concentrated so hard at the back before the break, Coventry switched off briefly afterwards, allowing Akpom to drift into space and head Riley McGree’s cross wide from eight yards.

COVENTRY VS MIDDLESBROUGH MATCH FACTS AND RATINGS

Coventry (3-5-2): Wilson 7; McNally 7, McFazdean 7, Doyle 6.5; Norton-Cuffy 7, Hamer 8, Kelly 6, Eccles 6 (Allen 67, 6), Bidwell 6.5; Godden 5, Gyokeres 5. 

Subs not used: Moore, Panzo, Wilson-Esbrand, Sheaf, Maguire, Dabo.

Manager: Mark Robins 6.5

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Steffen 6; Smith 7, McNair 8, Lenihan 8, Giles 6; Hackney 7, Mowatt 7; Jones 6.5 (Forss 68, 6), Akpom 5, McGree 7.5; Archer 5 (Crooks 83). 

Subs not used: Roberts, Fry, Barlaser, Dijksteel, Crooks, Bola.

Booked: Akpom 

Manager: Michael Carrick 6.5

Referee: Robert Madley 5

Venue: CBS Arena

Attendance: 28,874

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