Coventry players lift the Championship trophyImage source, Shutterstock
Image caption,

Coventry players lifted the Championship trophy after beating Wrexham

ByIan Mitchelmore
BBC Sport Wales

Coventry City celebrated their title-winning campaign in style with a victory that dented Wrexham's Championship play-off hopes.

Brandon Thomas-Asante's opener - his 13th league goal of the season - enhanced the party atmosphere at Coventry Building Society Arena (CBS Arena).

Ollie Rathbone's thumping strike just six minutes later brought the visitors level as Wrexham looked on course to gain a crucial point in their quest to earn a top-six spot.

But Victor Torp's sublime free-kick 10 minutes from time combined with Ephron Mason-Clark's strike in added time earned Frank Lampard's side victory.

Despite defeat, Wrexham remain sixth, above seventh-placed Hull City on goal difference and a point clear of eighth-placed Derby County with one regular season match left to play.

The victory extended Coventry's unbeaten run to seven matches and moved Lampard's side to 92 points for the campaign.

Five days on from sealing the title with a 5-1 win over Portsmouth, Coventry received a guard of honour from Wrexham as they entered the CBS Arena pitch ahead of kick-off.

It set the tone for what was a carnival atmosphere throughout as Sky Blues supporters fully savoured the opportunity to toast their side's title success.

Despite seeing little of the ball early on, Wrexham caused the hosts problems as they looked to put a dampener on the Coventry celebrations and bolster their own play-off hopes with a positive result.

But Coventry's quality shone through in the 19th minute as Thomas-Asante volleyed Mason-Clark's curling cross into the net from close range.

It prompted chants of "1-0 to the champions" from home fans, although it was the Wrexham faithful who were celebrating just six minutes later.

Issa Kabore latched on to George Dobson's floated pass before crossing to Rathbone, who drilled through the legs of goalkeeper Carl Rushworth from 12 yards out.

Only Watford have gained more points from losing positions in the Championship than Phil Parkinson's side this season.

And the Red Dragons came agonisingly close to taking the lead before half-time, although George Thomason's right-footed strike rattled the post.

Wales international Danny Ward pulled off a crucial one-handed save to keep out Coventry top scorer Haji Wright's goal-bound header 10 minutes after the restart as the game remained finely poised.

Frank Lampard celebrates in front of Coventry fansImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Frank Lampard, who enjoyed a trophy-laden career as a player, has now won his first silverware as a manager

Wrexham survived another scare when Milan van Ewijk was unable to capitalise on Dan Scarr's undercooked header back to goalkeeper Ward midway through the second half.

But they spurned a golden opportunity to go 2-1 up moments later as Josh Windass' perfectly weighted through ball found striker Sam Smith, whose effort was blocked by the onrushing Rushworth.

And they were made to pay in the 80th minute as - after former Coventry defender Dom Hyam fouled Mason-Clark - Torp's thumping free-kick from 20 yards out proved too strong for Ward.

Defender Scarr and substitute Kieffer Moore both headed over for the away side late on, before Mason-Clark notched Coventry's third goal in the fourth minute of added time to seal victory.

Wrexham head into their contest with Middlesbrough at Stok Cae Ras on Saturday, 2 May (12:30 BST) just about in control of their top-six hopes.

Coventry sign off their memorable campaign at Watford on the same day ahead of their long-awaited return to the Premier League next season.

Wrexham players give Coventry City players a guard of honourImage source, Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock
Image caption,

Coventry are set to return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2000-01 season

Analysis: Fortress CBS Arena leaves Wrexham with work to do

Champions Coventry have been formidable at CBS Arena this season.

Lampard's men have more wins, gained more points and have scored more goals than any other side on their own patch during the 2025-26 Championship season.

They will have one final party at Watford next weekend before the serious business of preparing for life in the Premier League takes centre stage.

As for Wrexham, they were on the cusp of continuing their impressive away record.

Prior to kick-off, only Millwall, Coventry, Middlesbrough and Norwich City had a better points per game return than Wrexham in away Championship games this season.

But they were twice undone in the latter stages, although, crucially, they hold the most slender of advantages over Hull City and Derby County in the race for sixth.

Ahead of the campaign, few would have turned down the offer of going into the final match of the regular season knowing that Wrexham are in pole position to finish sixth.

The Hollywood-owned club need one final push next weekend to keep alive their dreams of joining Coventry in the top-flight next term.

'You can see that connection' - reaction

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard told BBC Radio CWR:

"The celebrations at the end, lifting the cup, families on the pitch - that's what football is all about.

"An incredible fanbase that have suffered a lot and now they get to see a team get 92 points, play with great style, score so many goals - and you can see that connection [with the fans] out there.

"The boys were at it. They wanted to show that they're title winners. Wrexham are fighting for the play-offs, but our boys played really well.

"I've enjoyed watching this team. It's been brilliant. It's been amazing seeing the qualities that they've shown."

Figure caption,

Lampard post Wrexham win

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson:

"Going a goal down in this cauldron atmosphere here today, a lesser group could have been beaten by three or four.

"I thought the lads acquitted themselves really well.

"The third goal is disappointing because I think it puts an unfair reflection of the game as a whole but hopefully it won't knock the boys, it shouldn't do. We'll be ready for next week."

Figure caption,

Parkinson: All set for play-off battle next week at home to Middlesbrough

Player of the match

Number: 10 E. Mason-Clark
Average rating 9.04
Number: 10 E. Mason-Clark
Average Rating: 9.04
Number: 29 V. Torp
Average Rating: 8.74
Number: 16 F. Onyeka
Average Rating: 8.54
Number: 6 M. Grimes
Average Rating: 8.39
Number: 23 B. Thomas-Asante
Average Rating: 8.27
Number: 27 M. van Ewijk
Average Rating: 8.25
Number: 4 B. Thomas
Average Rating: 8.24
Number: 19 C. Rushworth
Average Rating: 8.15
Number: 3 J. Dasilva
Average Rating: 8.11
Number: 15 L. Kitching
Average Rating: 8.07
Number: 28 J. Eccles
Average Rating: 8.06
Number: 8 J. Allen
Average Rating: 7.81
Number: 9 E. Simms
Average Rating: 7.64
Number: 11 H. Wright
Average Rating: 7.61
Number: 14 R. Esse
Average Rating: 7.47

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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