Matt Grimes sends defiant Coventry City message after late Sunderland blow | OneFootball

Coventry City are 2-1 down going into the second leg of their semi-final clash against Sunderland

Matt Grimes has issued a clear message to Coventry City supporters following the team’s first-leg defeat to Sunderland in the semi-finals of the play-offs.

The Black Cats took the lead in the 68th minute through Wilson Isidor before Frank Lampard’s side quickly replied with an equaliser courtesy of Jack Rudoni.

But a late winner from Eliezer Mayenda has given Régis Le Bris’ team the slight advantage going into next week’s second leg at the Stadium of Light.

The winner will face either Sheffield United or Bristol City at Wembley Stadium for a place in the Premier League next season.

Matt Grimes issues message after Sunderland defeat

Grimes has reiterated that this is only half-time in the tie ahead of the second leg at Sunderland next week.

He is confident that Coventry can still go through to the final despite now being behind 2-1 and heading to the Stadium of Light for Tuesday’s clash.

“Obviously disappointing to concede last minute, but it is what it is,” said Grimes, via Coventry's official Instagram account.

“I have no idea how they’ll approach it, to be honest, but our job remains the same.

“100 per cent [we believe we can still win this], like I said, we’re 2-1 down at half-time.

“So, we need to learn from what’s happened tonight, and crack on, all we can do.”

Sunderland will host Coventry on 13 May in a 8pm kick-off, with the score currently 2-1 in their favour.

Coventry’s promotion hopes

Coventry came into the play-offs with a bit of momentum due to the circumstances surrounding their fifth-place finish.

A win on the final day over Middlesbrough secured their top six finish, while Sunderland suffered five defeats in a row to conclude the regular campaign.

However, the Black Cats earned their first win since 5 April with Mayenda’s late strike, putting them one game away from Wembley.

Coventry have not competed in the Premier League since 2001, and lost the play-off final as recently as 2023.

Coventry are still in this tie

Losing the first leg at home is an ominous sign for Coventry, but they’re still very capable of going to the Stadium of Light and winning.

While Sunderland were able to improve their performance levels for the play-offs, Lampard’s side will know now to not underestimate them.

Given they have nothing to lose now, they have to simply go for it early and look to get a quick goal to unsettle what will be a raucous crowd on Tuesday night.

If they can manage that, then they’ll be in a strong position to overturn this 2-1 deficit and go through to the final.