Coventry City don finally taste Premier League victory again, and e happen on Saturday for City Ground as Jay Dasilva goal give dem 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Before this one, Coventry last win for English top flight be April 2001. That time, John Hartson head in the winner for Gordon Strachan side as dem beat Sunderland 1-0 for Highfield Road in front of 20,946 fans.
Since that moment 9,287 days ago, Coventry journey no be small. Dem relegate at end of 2000-01 season, spend next 11 seasons for second tier, then drop go League One in 2012. Dark and turbulent period follow, with points deductions and administration. Dem leave Highfield Road in 2005, enter bitter dispute over Ricoh Arena and rent in 2013. The lowest point, arguably, be when dem forced to play matches away from Coventry, at Northampton Town, before later fall go fourth tier for first time in 59 years in 2017.
For the Bridgford Stand at City Ground on Saturday, plenty fans wey sabi those years of Sky Blue hell see emotion burst at full-time after Dasilva goal settled matter. For Coventry boss Frank Lampard, e feel like Sky Blue heaven. ‘It’s been a tough opening for us, so those first Premier League points feel great,’ Lampard tell BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘I thought the players were brilliant. The fight, work ethic and togetherness but also the tactical side of it. They dug and fought for each other which is what you need to win a Premier League game.’
Coventry bin stuck on 99 Premier League wins for over quarter of a century before this victory tick dem over to three figures at long last. Lampard hope this win fit be key staging post for campaign where avoiding relegation na main aim. ‘It’s really important for some of the players,’ e tell BBC Match of the Day. ‘For many of them it is their debut in the Premier League, they haven’t been here before and they need to feel like they belong and play like that.’
Lampard acknowledge say his players must get thick skins to come through the slog of a Premier League season. The fact say this victory come after 5-0 drubbing at home to Brighton make am more rewarding for Coventry boss. ‘There are lots of things we can learn and sometimes this year we may take those hits, it’s a reality for teams that get to the Premier League,’ Lampard add. ‘It’s important we overcome them in terms of how we take it on board and stay together. It is easy to point in different directions when you lose but the group’s really strong, really together, there’ll have a good feeling from this one. But we’ll keep our feet on the ground because it is one win, but it was needed for us.’
Another report tok say Lampard dey hope Coventry go build on their first Premier League victory since April 2001 after the memorable 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest. Jay Dasilva score the decisive goal to end miserable run of four defeats, lift the side to 18th for table. The result provide crucial springboard heading into three-week international break.
