Coventry City go 10 points clear at top of Championship table after a 4-2 win against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.
Simms and Kitching found the net early to make it 2-0 inside 15 minutes, but Boro, playing under interim boss Adi Viveash with new head coach Kim Hellberg watching on, fought on with Morgan Whittaker pulling one back before the break and then an own goal from Bobby Thomas brought it on 49 minutes.
Tommy Conway somehow missed a big chance to put Middlesbrough ahead, and it kicked Coventry into gear, scoring twice late on Kitching (85′) and Simms (86′) in quick succession to seal a 4-2 win victory and send those in the away end wild.
The Sky Blues now have a total of 40 points after 17 games. Stoke’s win over Charlton meanwhile sees them jump above Middlesbrough and into the second automatic promotion spot.
THAT MOMENT. THAT AWAY END. 💥 pic.twitter.com/2j9x34kL0T
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) November 26, 2025
Coventry City boss Frank Lampard speaking to Sky Sports:
“Absolutely delighted, I thought we were brilliant tonight in a tough match. We get our two goals. Two is never a comfortable cushion, particularly against a good team.
“We were a threat all game whenever we attacked and even when they had the ball, the threat remained and it showed at the end of the game.
“Massive resilience again from the team and a big result for us.
“We keep doing what we’re doing, it’s so early in the season still. We see the league. No one’s stupid. There’s good teams around us.
“Ipswich and Southampton and these teams, we know they can go on big runs because they were in the Premier League last year and were working at a different level to us.
“What we’re trying to do is do our thing…take the confidence from what we’re doing at the moment, but keep our feet on the ground and understand what got us to this place and try to continue it.”
On showing resilience for a second game in a row after coming from 2-0 down to beat West Brom on Saturday:
“These are tough games and they test you in lots of different ways. This group has got it and I’m delighted with it because when I came in here last year, people were questioning those things.
“I think they’ve shown, the group, how they’ve grown in the last year.
“At this point we’ve got great resilience and that’s something that’s got to continue.”
Bobby Thomas and Liam Kitching debrief following tonight’s win over Boro. 📻 pic.twitter.com/FStC4VIMhG
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) November 25, 2025
Middlesbrough’s interim manager Adi Viveash:
“That five-minute spell – from our great chance at 2-2 and they get the third, we’re disappointed with the fourth as well because you’re still in the game at 3-2 – that was a bit of a sucker punch.
“I thought it was a high-quality, Championship-level game. I don’t think Coventry disappointed.
“I thought we more than played our part in it. We had some key moments at times and had some strong periods in it.
“The key moments didn’t go our way and they took advantage of our frailties at certain times.
“We’re disappointed with all four goals. You can’t concede four goals in any Championship game.”
Viveash added, per Coventry Telegraph: “I’m very grateful for the trust that was put in me. I feel like I’ve let people down tonight and that’s why I went round to supporters and put my hands up. I didn’t want it to end like this.
“Yes, it’s a team I know very well with good players and supporters. Them singing my name at the end meant a great deal, there’s a mutual respect for a long period of working hard together.
“But I went round our fans because I wanted to say sorry really for tonight. I didn’t want it to be like that and I’m bitterly disappointed. I felt like it was there. So that will be something for me to think about and digest but it’s been a really interesting ten days.
“I’ve tried to steady it and carry it and create a bond with the staff that were at a pretty low ebb. I tried to build that back up and gave the players all I’ve got. Stood there tonight, it was a rollercoaster, that’s what these ten days have been.
“I certainly felt like sitting back down at 2-0 but that’s when you have to front up and I think the owner, Neil, Kieran, the staff, the players, the fans have seen somebody who’s definitely fronted up. I appreciate them putting me in charge. Hopefully my family and loved ones are proud.”
Adi Viveash reflects on tonight’s defeat. pic.twitter.com/TU6Eh2GV1Q
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) November 25, 2025
Here’s the Twitter reaction as Coventry go 10 points clear at top of Championship after a 4-2 win against Middlesbrough…
@nattiecw: Boro threw everything they had at us, we even scored a goal to try to give them a chance. Stepped up a gear when Rudoni and Allen came on and banged two more goals in! This is our season! Absolutely love this team #PUSB 🏆🩵. Scoring for fun 🤣
@ccfc_07: THEY SHANT DEFEAT US WE’LL FIGHT TIL THE GAME IS WON
@DaveJames_UK: It’s actually going to happen isn’t it?! Being this good just feels un-nerving somehow, I’ve basically been in a state of shock for the last few months
@Furmo8: That’s the first time in a long time I’ve walked away from a game and all I can say is fairs. Ur attack is insane, Conway fucked us massively. I’d say best of luck for rest of season but I think congrats on promotion works better 👍
@SephtonMark: Clear by ten points unreal. Again we were not great but we’ve found a way to win.. hoping we can ride out the injuries. Rudoni needs to start on Saturday. Made a difference when he came on #PUSB
@TomShanley1992: Ellis Simms take a bow! Proper performance best we’ve seen him! As for Rudoni how we’ve missed his quality! Changed the game when he came on and noticeable how deep they went! Such a clever player! #PUSB
@david_johnst: Ellis Simm was immense tonight ✊
@paul_ov_boro: You know what i fucking hate you bastards we are not friwnds even though some dweeb boro fans say we are but i hope yous smash it this season me i always liked hajji and chippo me and ogrizavich and noel whelan
— Matt (@Matt_cov18) November 25, 2025
@DanSentinel76: OMG! 🤯 10 points ahead with a GD of +30 before December. That win could be the most important game we’ve played since the FA Cup in ‘87! #PUSB #SkyBlues
@jacob_tuckey: Wow! Ellis Simms’ best game for Coventry! Strength & resilience shown all round! Rudoni made an impact too! What a squad, what a win & what a time to be alive! 🩵
@MFCLukas: Fair play lads, think we deserved the win based off the second half especially but our strikers hates the goal so 🤷♂️ quality team though, leagues yours, enjoy it 👍
@RoryDaviesCCFC: Kitching and Simms, unbelievable not just with their goals. Lampard subs made a big difference too, Allen and Rudi really switched the game
@OllieHopo49963: That Ellis Simms striker performance is top 5 from a coventry player.
@NickJH83:
That’s absolutely unbelievable.
I can’t believe it.
I really thought we might lose that.
That Conway miss was massive, if that goes in we probably lose.
But what character the players showed. Great tactical tweak by Lampard too.
Say hello to ten points clear!
@RobPUSB: I thought we were pretty poor for large parts of today so to come away with that result is mega. Special special stuff!
@JackLangley93: Good game, gutted we couldnt take anything as i think we were good value for it. You’s look like you can score everytime you attack (and often do) I think 4-2 flatters a bit but i can take the positives out of that & take grace we dont have to play you every week! Dont f it up!
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