Defeated by Luton Town at Wembley Stadium in last season’s EFL Championship playoff final, Coventry City were granted another chance to play under the arch – but in order to reach the semifinal stage of the Emirates FA Cup, they’d first need to see off Premier League outfit Wolves.
WOL: Sá; Toti, Bueno, Kilman; Aït-Nouri, Doyle, Gomes, Semedo; Lemina, Fraser, Sarabia
COV: Collins; Bidwell, Kitching, Thomas, Latibeaudiere; Eccles, Sheaf; Wright, Palmer, van Ewijk; Simms
The Sky Blues raced into the lead just minutes into the second-half at Molineux, though summer signing Ellis Simms was left to wait for VAR to approve his strike before he could wheel away and celebrate.
It looked as though the Championship side would be progressing and knocking out their Midlands rivals on Saturday, until Wolves drew level through as Rayan Aït-Nouri slotted home with seven minutes of regulation time remaining.
Embed from Getty ImagesCoventry City fans were left in disbelief when just five minutes after Wolves restored parity, the hosts found themselves leading. Having netted the leveller, Aït-Nouri was involved yet again, capping off a fine individual performance as he registered the assist for Hugo Bueno’s decisive goal.
But a prolonged period of stoppage time would grant the Sky Blues a chance, and the travelling fans were euphoric when Simms completed his brace in the 97th minute, turning home at the far post from a well-placed Bobby Thomas flick.
Remarkably, Simms’ involvement would not end there – and as the clock ticked into the 10th minute of stoppage time, his layoff for Haji Wright was tucked beyond the reach of Jose Sá, eliminating the need for extra-time as the Sky Blues performed one of the most memorable comebacks in Emirates FA Cup history.
Embed from Getty ImagesCoventry City will now await the semifinal draw, which follows Manchester United v Liverpool on Sunday. The Sky Blues will head to Wembley Stadium on the weekend of April 20, though attention will quickly snap back to their fierce race for a spot in the EFL Championship playoffs.