Sky Bet Championship

Coventry City 2 (Simms 9’, Wright 49’)

Leeds United 1 (Piroe 76’)

Coventry: Collins (GK), Thomas, Simms, O’Hare (Torp 77’), Wright (Dasilva 88’), Sheaf (C), Kitching, Bidwell, van Ewijk, Eccles, Palmer (Latibeaudiere 66’). Subs not used: Wilson (GK), Binks, Kelly, Tavares, Lusala, Andrews. 

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Firpo, Ampadu (C), Kamara (Roberts 45’), Bamford (Joseph 66’), Summerville, Rodon, James (Gnonto 84’), Gray, Georginio, Gruev (Piroe 66’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Cresswell, Cooper, Anthony, Byram.

Referee: Tom Nield

Booked: Bidwell, Sheaf, Simms, Eccles (Coventry) Gruev, Ampadu (Leeds) 

Venue: Coventry Building Society Arena

Attendance: 30,232

Leeds United travelled to the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday afternoon, in game number 41 of their Sky Bet Championship campaign.

Daniel Farke’s side started the match on the front foot and quick build-up play down both wings saw chances created. 

Forward from right-back, Archie Gray couldn’t connect well enough with his effort when well placed, before both Patrick Bamford and Ilia Gruev were denied with last-ditch blocks in the area. 

Still inside the opening 10 minutes, Coventry then came forward and took an early lead. Haji Wright forced a save from Illan Meslier and from the resulting corner, his strike partner Ellis Simms found space to head home in the box. 

Just a couple of minutes later and Meslier was forced into action once more. He had to be alert and was, saving well with his legs to deny Callum O’Hare who struck low inside the box. 

Both teams continued to push forward in search of goals throughout the half, in what were testing conditions, with the wind affecting the game for each set of players. 

Simms and then Kasey Palmer had shots on the United goal as the Sky Blues looked lively once more, whilst at the other end, Dan James and Summerville went close with efforts of their own as they looked to respond.  

There were no further goals before the break and it meant the Whites would go back to their dressing room a goal behind. 

HALF TIME: Coventry City 1-0 Leeds United

Back out for the second 45 minutes, Farke went to his bench and brought on Connor Roberts in place of Glen Kamara. 

Just four minutes into the half, the home side countered quickly from a Leeds free-kick and doubled their lead. Josh Eccles picked the ball up on the right and curled a dangerous cross to the back post, where Wright was there to turn home and make it two.  

After a long spell of possession and sights of the Coventry goal, but no change on the scoreline, Farke went back to his bench to make a double change. Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe were both brought on for the final 25 minutes. 

With 20 minutes remaining, a big chance did arrive. Summerville picked up the ball at the back of the box, created room and curled at goal, but Jake Bidwell managed to flick the ball over the bar on the line.  

The changes made a difference and Farke’s side had one back with just under 15 minutes to play. Joseph broke free and ran down the wing, found Georginio in the box, who worked the ball for Piroe to find the far corner and reduce the deficit. 

With Leeds pushing and throwing everyone and everything forward, a final big chance arrived for Piroe in stoppage time, but his right-footed effort was turned behind for a corner and cleared, meaning the Whites suffered a first league defeat of 2024. 

FULL TIME: Coventry City 2-1 Leeds United