Coventry back on top after 'statement' Boro win
Coventry City goalkeeper Carl Rushworth believes his team delivered a "statement win" after downing Middlesbrough 3-1 thanks to Haji Wright's hat-trick.
Just a week on from losing its long lead at the Championship summit to Boro, Frank Lampard's team regained it at the first opportunity with a dominant display.
Wright put the Sky Blues into a 21st minute lead with a first-time finish from Jack Rudoni's cross before bringing up his brace 10 minutes after the restart.
Though Australia international Riley McGree's 67th-minute strike made things interesting, Wright scored from the penalty spot 19 minutes from time after Matt Targett was penalised for handball.
With his performance, Wright became only the fourth player after Ricardo Fuller in December 2007 (v West Brom), Leroy Lita in October 2008 (v Wolves) and Kieffer Moore in October 2025 (v Coventry) to score a hat-trick against the team starting the day on top of the second tier.
The American was teed up for his second goal by Rushworth's long punt forward, and the Coventry shot-stopper said his team-mates delivered from the very first whistle.
"I am really happy that this guy [Haji Wright] has helped me out today. As Haji said, it was a whole team performance. It was unbelievable from minute one," Rushworth said.
"We had the backing of the CBS and the roar they had from every tackle, every time we won the ball, it was unbelievable, and I'm glad we got the win to get us back on track.
"It's a big statement win. Like the gaffer always says, we can't get too high on this, and we go onto the next game. I'm really pleased for the lads."
Though Coventry boss Lampard was thrilled with the result, which snapped a three-game winless league stretch, he said his side must regain focus immediately.
"We can't over-celebrate though, it's just a moment. It's the Championship and it's onto the next one," Lampard said.
"It was a massive performance from the lads. What a high-class opposition as well, by the way. Good football team, that's why they've done what they've done recently.
"But the performance, the effort, the tactical way we played off the ball, we worked all week off the ball. Really delighted with the result. It's a big one tonight."
For Middlesbrough, its six-game winning run in the Championship came to an end, as it missed the chance to win seven in a row for the first time since May 1987.
The visitor had its chances, with Morgan Whittaker putting a free header over straight after the interval before Jeremy Sarmiento hit the inside of the post late on.
Defender Luke Ayling conceded his team fell short in the pivotal moments in the contest.
"Just moments in the game when we weren't good enough, and I think in the first half we weren't as good as what we have been recently," he said.
"Poor on the ball and we kind of got their crowd into the game which they wanted.
"They're a very good team. They might have been on a bad run, but we know what a good team they are and we kind of played into their hands in the first half.
"Then we started the second half well. We had a big chance with Morgs [Whittaker], then they went 2-0 up, we bounced straight back, then another big moment straight after."
