Coventry City player ratings from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner hands out the scores
21:44, 20 Jan 2026Updated 00:56, 21 Jan 2026
Haji Wright shoots to score the 2nd goal for Coventry City(Image: )
Haji Wright popped up with his second winner in as many games as Coventry City secured back-to-back victories at the CBS Arena, beating fourth placed Millwall 2-1.
The Sky Blues got off to the perfect start when Romain Esse gave them a 12th minute lead at the far post against his former club.
Ephron Mason-Clark set up the goal with a perfect cross in from the left which Haji Wright headed at the back post, only for the keeper to fumble and Esse nip in to poke over the line.
But the visitors were a real threat on the counter attack and got themselves back on level terms just before the half hour mark when Mihailo Ivanovic got in between City’s centre-backs to hook over the Carl Rushworth from a Femi Azeez cross into the box, and the two sides went in all square at the break.
Coventry had a Wright goal disallowed for off-side in the build-up to his close range finish at the start of a determined second half push.
The Lions then enjoyed a bit of momentum and went close when Ivanovic was played in behind, only to be denied by a terrific one-handed save from Rushworth before Jay Dasilva headed clear off the line.
Lampard made a triple change with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Victor Torp and Brandon Thomas-Asante going on for Esse, Eccles and Rudoni and it worked a treat as the Japanese winger sent in a cross in the 78th minute which Thomas-Asante controlled and Wright finished to restore City’s lead.
Haji Wright of Coventry City shoots(Image: )
STARTING FORMATION: 4-2-3-1
CARL RUSHWORTH: 7.5
Dropped low to smother an early attempt from Langstaff. Beaten by a good finish for the equaliser. Good distribution, throwing it out early to get City on the attack. Denied Ivanovic taking the lead with a brilliant one-handed save in the second half.
MILAN VAN EWIJK: 6.5/7
Got forward really well, using his pace to good effect to beat the full-back and linked up nicely with Esse on the right. Continued to impress with Sakamoto in front of him.
JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE: 6
Failed to deal with Ivanovic who got between him and Kitching to score the equaliser. Headed off the line in the 55th minute to deny Millwall taking the lead and defended really well in the second half.
LIAM KITCHING: 6.5
Started the game strongly but poorly positioned and allowed Ivanovic to get between him and Latibeaudiere to equalise. Passed it out well from the back and defended reasonably well overall.
JAY DASILVA: 6.5
Got forward well and linked up nicely with Mason-Clark but got caught out misjudging a header for a Millwall counter attack that fortunately resulted in Azeez shooting wide when clean through. Headed off the line after Rushworth’s save to deny Ivanovic.
Jay Dasilva of Coventry City and Femi Azeez of Millwall compete for the ball(Image: Matt Impey/Shutterstock)
MATT GRIMES: 6.5
Kept things ticking over from his deep lying midfield role in his usual impressive contribution. Calm and collected in possession but tired in the second half.
JOSH ECCLES: 7
Made an really impressive start to the game when he sent in a couple of decent crosses and had a shot blocked. Curled just wide amid a lively start to the start to the second half.
ROMAIN ESSE: 7.5
Scored against his former club in the 12th minute as he nipped in on the follow-up from a Haji header at the back post. Was a real handful from the start and looked really fired up. Showed some lovely footwork and touches on the ball. Picked up an early booking for a professional foul.
Romain Esse of Coventry City scores a goal and celebrates 1-0.(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
JACK RUDONI: 5.5
Flitted about the final third, dropping into pockets of space and linking with his fellow forwards but a relatively quiet by his high standards. Eventually made way for Thomas-Asante.
EPHRON MASON-CLARK: 8
Cut inside his marker and sent in the perfect cross for the goal as he was a real threat time and again down the left wing in an impressive first half.
Coventry City’s Ephron Mason-Clark (right) and Millwall’s Tristan Crama(Image: PA)
HAJI WRIGHT: 8.5
Big centre-half Jake Cooper took a tight grip, quite literally, on the striker from the first minute as he was virtually man marked. Got his head to a Mason-Clark cross to force the keeper to parry for Esse to score on the follow-up. Hit a smart finish in the box to give City the late lead.
SUBSTITUTES:
TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO (69 mins, for Esse): 7.5
Made an immediate impact, dribbling down the right touchline and nipping about the pitch to good effect. Sent in the cross for the second goal. Helped change the game back in City’s favour with his fresh threat.
BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE (69 mins, for Rudoni): 7
Had a hand in the second goal when he controlled Sakamoto’s cross for Haji to score and denied late on by the keeper.
VICTOR TORP (69 mins, for Eccles): 6.5/7
Got straight into the game and helped turn the game back in City’s favour.
ELLIS SIMMS (81 mins, for Wright): 6.5
Added fresh power up front as City looked to add to their lead.
Subs (not used): Ben Wilson (GK), Luke Woolfenden, Jake Bidwell, Jamie Allen, Min-Hyeok Yang.
MILLWALL (4-4-2): Max Crocombe; Tristan Crama, Jake Cooper, Caleb Taylor, Zak Sturge; Femi Azeez, Billy Mitchell, Camiel Neghli, Thierno Ballo; Macaulay Langstaff, Mihailo Ivanovic.
Subs (not used): George Evans (GK), Dan McNamara, Alfie Doughty, Ryan Leonard, Josh Coburn, Aidomo Emakhu, Casper De Norre, Luke Cundle, Raees Bangura-Williams.
GOALS:
SKY BLUES: Esse (12), Wright (78)
LIONS: Ivanovic (29)
REFEREE: Andrew Kitchen
ATTENDANCE: 28,605 (884 away)
NEXT UP: Norwich City (a) Monday, January 26 (8pm).
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