Key Takeaways
- Wrexham lose 3-1 to champions Coventry City in their Championship clash at the CBS Arena
- The sixth-placed Red Dragons remain level on 70 points with Hull City but hold a slender one-goal advantage
- The playoff race will be decided on the final day as Wrexham host Middlesbrough needing a result to secure their spot
Coventry City celebrated winning the Championship title with a 3-1 victory over Wrexham. The result leaves the Welsh side facing a difficult final day in the race for the playoffs.
The Sky Blues will play in the Premier League next season after a 25-year absence. They lifted the trophy after the match ended. Frank Lampard’s team had already won the championship before this game.
Wrexham equalised through Oliver Rathbone in the 25th minute after Brandon Thomas-Asante gave Coventry an early lead. Late goals from Victor Torp and Ephron Mason-Clark won the match for the home team.
The loss leaves Wrexham in sixth place with 70 points. Hull City also have 70 points, but Wrexham have a better goal difference by just one goal. Derby County remain in the hunt, sitting one point behind both teams.
All three clubs will play their final matches at home on Saturday. Wrexham will face Middlesbrough, Hull will play Norwich City, and Derby will meet Sheffield United.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said his team still controls their own future. He explained that goal difference is important and they remain ahead of Hull. He felt the third goal was unfair on his team.
Before the match, Coventry fans held up signs saying “We Are Back” to celebrate their return to the top division. Wrexham gave the champions a guard of honour. Coventry had beaten Wrexham 3-2 in their previous meeting this season.
The match reminded fans of Wrexham’s famous FA Cup win at this stadium in 2023 when they played in the National League.
Thomas-Asante scored after 19 minutes, hitting a volley from close range following a cross from Mason-Clark. Wrexham replied six minutes later when Rathbone scored from 14 yards after a low ball from Issa Kaboré.
Both teams had chances to score. Josh Windass and George Thomason hit the woodwork for Wrexham. Coventry’s top scorer Haji Wright forced a save from goalkeeper Danny Ward.
Torp scored a powerful free-kick ten minutes from the end that Ward could not stop. Mason-Clark added a third goal in added time to finish the match.