Coventry Edges Closer to Premier League Promotion with Hard-Fought Draw at Hull

Coventry inched closer to securing a spot in the Premier League despite a lackluster performance in a goalless draw against Hull. With setbacks for promotion rivals Millwall and Middlesbrough, Coventry now needs just four more points to guarantee a return to the top flight for the first time in 25 years. The Sky Blues struggled to find their footing for much of the match at the MKM Stadium and were fortunate to escape with a point. They maintained their 12-point lead at the top of the Sky Bet Championship table with five matches remaining. Given their superior goal difference, a win at home against already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday could be enough to secure promotion, despite being held scoreless for the first time in 10 matches. As the leading scorers in the division, Coventry rarely threatened to break through against fifth-placed Hull, whose automatic promotion hopes appear to be dwindling. Hull had the best chance of the match, with John Egan denied by Liam Kitching after Carl Rushworth fumbled in the area. However, the hosts lacked a cutting edge against Frank Lampard's side and slipped four points off the top four, although they remain five points clear of seventh-placed Southampton, who have two games in hand. Hull made a strong start, with Liam Millar tormenting Milan van Ewijk down the left flank, while Cody Drameh twice missed the target. Joe Gelhardt was given time and space to choose his spot from 25 yards but curled over, and Rushworth spilled another cross from the left, with Kitching's desperate block stopping Egan from scoring. Coventry endured a difficult opening quarter of an hour but gradually gained a foothold, using their physicality to disrupt Hull's momentum. A couple of quick counters showcased their threat, with Victor Torp getting in behind the Hull defense but dragging harmlessly wide before forcing a low save from Ivor Pandur. Headers from Gelhardt and Oli McBurnie lacked the power to properly test Rushworth as Hull regained the initiative after the break without creating anything clear-cut. Matt Grimes was booked for a cynical foul on Amir Hadziahmetovic as Hull pushed forward, while at the other end, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto got in ahead of Coyle, but his pull-back was intercepted by Egan. Jack Rudoni and Mohamed Belloumi were introduced as Lampard and Sergej Jakirovic sought a late winner, but it had little impact on the proceedings. While McBurnie headed wide late on, the teams emulated their result at the Coventry Building Society Arena on the opening day of the season. Hull's Sergej Jakirovic stated, 'I feel really good. We played the best team in the league and didn't allow anything. They had one shot on target. From the beginning, we were very aggressive, compact, and on the front foot. We created some chances but lacked the last pass and didn't have good enough shots.' 'I am happy with this point. The last five or six games, every point counts. It's very important to have a clean sheet, the second against Coventry. Of course, it's frustrating not to score. I remember the John Egan chance – the goal was empty, and somebody blocked his shot. But it is very important we didn't allow anything.' 'I tell the guys well done because it was a very nice performance and a good tactical game plan in and out of possession. We just need to be more calm in the box to make better decisions and punish them.' Coventry's Frank Lampard said, 'I'm satisfied, and I loved it. On that pitch, it is really hard to play, and they play on it every other week. We rode it out in the early stages against a really good team. The determination of the team to do what we needed to do, to get more control as the second half went on, was first class to get a clean sheet in that game.' 'It's just one of those games – you come to Hull away, and they bombard you a bit. We make a couple of little errors, but we defend the box really well. We just need to relax in the sense of being a bit more confident on the ball.' 'It was a penalty that's been missed – a very clear handball. Sometimes there's a margin for error we can all debate, but when the arm comes out, there's no debate.' 'We just need to do our job – try and win the game that is in front of us and don't take anything for granted. I know we are getting closer, but we have to do our job.' The £250,000 is up for grabs with Super 6, and as always, it is completely free to play. Entries by 3 pm Saturday.