Coventry City don finally make am back to Premier League after 25 years of waiting. The Sky Blues get the one point wey dem need from their match against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Bobby Thomas na the hero for the day as him head one equalizer six minutes before time end.
The match no easy at all. Blackburn Rovers come show say dem no be pushover. Ryoya Morishita put Blackburn ahead for 54th minute with one deflected shot wey beat Carl Rushworth. For that moment, e look like Coventry promotion party go delay again.
But Frank Lampard boys no give up. Dem continue to press and push for the goal wey go change everything. Victor Torp deliver one perfect free-kick for the 84th minute and Bobby Thomas rise high to head am into the net. The away end just explode with joy!
Former Coventry goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic wey dey talk for BBC CWR say, “This has always been a proud club. It’s been 35 years in the top league until we got relegated in 2001 and it’s been well reported what’s gone on since then.” Him add say, “I’m not going to say it’s worth the wait because I wanted to be back a lot earlier than this, but this is fantastic.”
Rob Gurney from BBC Radio CWR Sport describe the moment wey the goal come. “There it is. It’s been worth all the heartache, surely. It’s been emotional but the Sky Blues have done it. They are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2001.”
Coventry fans wey dey Ewood Park just dey sing and celebrate. Some even dey cry tears of joy. For 25 years, dem don see their club suffer relegations, points deductions, and even groundsharing at Northampton and Birmingham. Now all that pain don turn to celebration.
Frank Lampard, the Coventry manager, show strong emotion after the match. BBC reporter talk say the man get lump for him throat wey you no go believe. Lampard don see plenty for football, but this moment na special one for am.
Coventry player Bobby Thomas talk to Sky Sports after the match. “Amazing, amazing. I couldn’t believe it when it went in. It’s been a hell of a season and it’s been a project over the last three seasons and I feel like we deserve it.”
The journey to this promotion don long well well. Coventry don pass through League Two and come back up. Mark Robins lay the foundation before Lampard take over. Now dem don complete the return to top flight football.
Blackburn Rovers try their best to spoil the party. Dem play well and even lead for good part of the match. Ryan Alebiosu and Yuki Ohashi create chances for Rovers, but Coventry defense hold strong when e matter pass.
Curtis Davies, former player wey play under Lampard for Derby County, give Lampard credit. “You have to give Coventry credit. After losing the play-offs last year, and with uncertainty about the direction of the club, you wondered if they could repeat what they did under Frank. They’ve stepped up even more.”
Coventry fan Matt Quigg express how e feel. “2001, the last time Coventry City played in the top flight, relegated by bitter rivals Aston Villa. Now, for the first time in my lifetime, I am finally going to get to watch my team play in the Premier League.”
The Sky Blues still get chance to win the Championship title. Dem get three matches remain and dem dey top of the table. Steve Ogrizovic talk say, “I just hope they go on and win the title now because they thoroughly deserve it.”
Coventry players wear special shirts with ‘We are Back’ for the back above number 26. Those shirts go remain part of club history forever. The celebration go continue for Coventry as dem prepare for Premier League football next season.
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