Coventry City win Championship title to seal Premier League return
Coventry City have secured the Championship title following a 5-1 victory over Portsmouth at the CBS Arena, crowning their return to the Premier League after a nearly 30-year absence.
The Midlands side had already guaranteed top-flight football next season with a 1-1 draw against Blackburn last week.
However, Tuesday evening’s emphatic win ensured they cannot be caught at the top of the table with two games remaining.
Frank Lampard’s team take on Wrexham and Watford in their final fixtures and could finish the campaign with an impressive 95 points.
Lampard reflects on emotional achievement
The former Chelsea midfielder was recently named as the EFL Championship Manager of the Season.
Speaking at Sunday’s awards ceremony, the 45-year-old reflected on the magnitude of the club’s resurgence.
“I was emotional the other night because it dawned on me in that moment what we had achieved,” said Lampard.
“A club that I walked into 16 months ago that had gone to the depths and back up, and football is always about people and always about supporters and I’d missed it.”
He also took time to credit his predecessor, Mark Robins, alongside owner Doug King, for laying the foundations of their current success.
Preparing for the top flight
The Sky Blues have endured a prolonged absence from the highest tier of English football, spending almost three decades working their way back.
Acknowledging the immense challenge ahead, the manager admitted that significant preparations must begin immediately.
“There’s a lot of work to do because we know the step that it will be for the football club,” he added.
“I know what the Premier League is and it’s going to be a challenge, we can enjoy the moment for the next two weeks, but of course we have to work behind the scenes to ensure we go up the right way.”
While the title is decided, a fierce battle remains for the second automatic promotion spot.
Ipswich, Millwall, Southampton and Middlesbrough all remain in contention as the season approaches its dramatic conclusion.
