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Middlesbrough vs Coventry City: How Michael Carrick reacted to Boro getting eliminated from Championship play-offs?

In the end, a second half goal by Gustavo Hamer near the hour mark proved to be the difference at the Riverside Stadium.

By Karthik Raman | May 18, 2023 | 3 Min Read

Middlesbrough’s quest to reach Premier League football fell short, as Coventry City reached the Championship play-off final after a hard-fought win. The game on Wednesday night was extremely crucial for both sides in several regards. With two in-form sides going against each other, this tie had all the ingredients to make it an interesting watch. The first leg was a closely-fought affair with very little to separate both sides, as the game ended in goalless. That set up the stage for the all-important second leg.

Despite playing at home, Middlesbrough were not able to do enough to trouble the away side. In the end, a second half goal by Gustavo Hamer near the hour mark proved to be the difference at the Riverside Stadium. While Middlesbrough extend their wait to reach the Premier League, Coventry City are just 90 minutes away from securing promotion to the English top flight. In the final on May 27 at Wembley Stadium, Coventry will take on Luton Town for a place in the first division.

Michael Carrick: I’m so proud of the group

After the match, Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick felt their team did not create enough opportunities to get a goal. “We didn’t probably end up creating enough chances to score a goal. I thought we played some good football over the two legs and we got into good areas, didn’t quite create clear-cut chances enough, but I can’t knock the boys. We’ve had a fantastic few months and with their attitude and willingness to learn, put themselves out there, I’m so proud of the group,” he told Sky Sports Football.

Carrick wants to use this experience as a learning curve, as he praised his counterpart Mark Robins for what he did with Coventry. “It tends to be the thing that is said in this situation, but I’m proud of the boys and the staff for what we’ve done, it’s just that we’ve come up a little bit short tonight. I’m gutted for the fans as the support we’ve had has been pretty special. It’s a tough one. These experiences are never nice – they are the best ones to learn from in many ways, but they are never nice when you go through them. We’ve got to take it on the chin. Fair play to Coventry. They are a good team, well organised. Mark and his staff have done an unbelievable job. Credit is due,” he added.

Meanwhile, Coventry City manager Mark Robins praised his side for keep Middlesbrough’s frontmen at bay. “I think that’s the longest game of my career! Middlesbrough are so good. You give them any sort of time, any space and they’ll hurt you. Over the three games, we’ve done really well in marshalling probably the two best centre-forwards in the division. The supporters have driven us on. It’s been an unbelievable team effort. Six long years of trying to get us to this stage. Next stage, a really tough game at Wembley now but we’ve got to enjoy tonight, we’re going to have a few drinks,” he told Sky Sports Football.