Haji Wright bagged himself a hat-trick for Coventry City as they returned to the top of the Championship standings with a big win over Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough, while Patrick Agyemang scored his 10th goal of the season in Derby County’s shutout of Swansea City.
Coventry City 3-1 Middlesbrough
Coventry City became league leaders again as they came away with a hard-earned win over Middlesbrough at the CBS Arena.
Haji Wright started and played 82 minutes in a man-of-the-match performance, taking five total shots, winning four duels, and making one recovery. On the other side, Aidan Morris went the distance for Boro, completing 91 percent passing, winning six duels, making seven recoveries, and two interceptions.
The hosts opened the scoring after 21 minutes into the contest, with the American forward setting up his first goal. He passed the ball to Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, who gave it to Jack Rudoni. The English midfielder then centered to allow Wright to steer it home.
Wright doubled Coventry’s lead 10 minutes into the second half when goalkeeper Carl Rushworth’s long ball found him winning a battle with his marker to gain possession and put a clean strike into the back of the net.
Middlesbrough cut the deficit in the 67th minute when Riley McGree recovered the loose ball in the 18-yard box to nail it home.
However, the visitors put themselves in a jam when the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty for Coventry. Matt Targett was guilty of a handball in the area. This allowed Wright to step up and put away the spot kick and seal his hat-trick in the 71st minute.
Coventry returns to the top of the standings with 62 points, one ahead of Middlesbrough.
Derby County 2-0 Swansea City
Derby County pulled itself into the Championship playoff spots as two second-half goals led to a win over Swansea City at Pride Park.
Patrick Agyemang started and played 88 minutes for the Rams, taking three shots, winning 11 duels, and making three recoveries.
After a scoreless first half, the hosts took charge two minutes into the second when Rhian Brewster was able to get through a scramble from a corner kick to slam his right-footed shot home.
Derby doubled its lead in the 67th minute through another corner kick. Callum Elder’s outswinger found Agyemang, who rose above the pack to head the ball into the back of the net.
County is now in sixth place with 48 points.
Note
Charlie Kelman was an unused substitute for Charlton Athletic in their 1-0 win over Stoke City.