Frank Lampard wades in on Coventry City’s ‘spicy’ historic Sunderland rivalry

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Tonight, the CBS Arena will be the stage for more than just a play-off semi-final; it is the latest chapter in a “spicy” rivalry between Frank Lampard’s Coventry City and Sunderland. 

The memory of Haji Wright’s hat-trick in Coventry’s convincing 3-0 victory earlier this season will give the Sky Blues an edge. 

It is a tie that is definitely not going to be short on goals, with one pundit even predicting a late winner for Coventry City or Sunderland.

However, the deep-rooted tension between these clubs, forged over nearly five decades, suggests this two-legged affair will be anything but straightforward for Lampard’s men. 

Adding to the tension, Lampard has stated what Coventry simply ‘can’t’ do against Sunderland, emphasising that such an error would derail their entire play-off campaign.

The quest for a coveted spot at Wembley is about to ignite amidst a backdrop of historical animosity.

Frank Lampard speaks ahead of their first play-off semi-final versus Sunderland 

When questioned about his knowledge of the animosity, the Sky Blues’ boss shared: “Yeah, I am aware because I was told about it quite early in my time here, but it’s not my rivalry. But I am Coventry now so I have to be aware of it.

“If there’s that then that’s what football is about, a bit of rivalry and a bit of edge.

“It was new to me when I came into this job and rivalry between clubs is fine, although I think it’s less relevant in these games because of the size of the games and because of what I’ve seen in this moment,” reports Coventry Live.

“So it’s maybe some less on these occasions, although a nice underlying thing. If handled well, rivalries can be good; good to add spice to the game.

“The reality is we have to prepare well for the games and try to play well in them because Sunderland are a good team. And no-one should be fooled by five defeats they have just had.

“They have been in the play-offs a long time and that’s not easy to manage. They still have very good players and a way of playing, so we’ll have to be at our best.”

The history behind Sunderland and Coventry City’s rivalry 

The Coventry City-Sunderland rivalry began in a dramatic 1976/77 season finale, a relegation battle where Sunderland were the unwitting participants in a contentious survival treaty. 

Coventry City needed a win against Bristol City to stay in the top flight, while a draw suited their opponents and Sunderland, who were playing Everton.

A delayed kick-off at Highfield Road, Coventry’s home, added a controversial twist. 

As Coventry led 2-0 but Bristol City equalised, news filtered through that Sunderland had lost.

Coventry’s chairman, Jimmy Hill, then informed the players of this result over the tannoy.

Knowing a draw now ensured their survival alongside Bristol City at Sunderland’s expense, the two teams stopped attacking, playing out a mutually beneficial draw.

This blatant disregard for sporting integrity, which relegated Sunderland, understandably sparked immense anger among the Black Cats’ supporters, forging the “spicy” rivalry that persists to this day.