No Wright No Wrongs - How This Former Everton Starlet Is Stepping Up To Fill Coventry's Gaps

No Wright No Wrongs - How This Former Everton Starlet Is Stepping Up To Fill Coventry's Gaps

Last night was an enthralling encounter in the Championship between the two top teams in the division. It was 2nd placed Middlesborough who welcomed the league leaders to the Riverside.

Boro announced their new head coach, Kim Hellberg at the start of the week. Whilst it was confirmed that he would take charge after the Coventry game, the responsibility turned to Adi Viveash once again for a final game in charge as interim boss.

More eyes were on the visitors though who had lost just once all season, with fans curious to see how they would perform with the absence of star striker Haji Wright due to injury.

Ex-Prem Star Takes His Opportunity

Before kick-off in the North-East, there was talk over whether Ellis Simms could fill the boots of the ever reliable American Haji Wright. After scoring in the Sky Blues' last league outing against West Brom, confidence was high for 24-year-old.

It took Simms just 10 minutes to open the scoring in the game against Boro and what a goal it was. Drifting off into the left channel, the Oldham-born striker struck Torp's pass first time with curl and found the far corner leaving Sol Brynn no chance in the Middlesborough goal.

That stunning opener from Ellis Simms to hand us an early lead in Middlesbrough. 🌟pic.twitter.com/FL5SxZ0Fy5

— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) November 25, 2025

After going into the break 2-1 to the good, Coventry would concede early in the second half, after Bobby Thomas's unfortunate own goal. Tommy Conway had a guilt-edged chance to put the hosts into the lead, but he blazed his effort over from close range.

Liam Kitching put Coventry back ahead with his second of the game, before Simms also found a brace through a header late on to seal all three points.

Simms Moves To Coventry

The striker spent three years at Everton and would be loaned out to Blackpool, Hearts and Sunderland before signing for the West Midlands side in the summer of 2023.

Simms had a very promising youth career and finally got his chance with the Toffees under Rafa Benitez. After the Spaniard was sacked his current boss Frank Lampard entered the fray. The English star would be sent out on loan to Sunderland that season and after scoring 7 goals in 14 games he was recalled to Merseyside.

He was reduced to late substitute appearances for the remainder of the campaign before Lampard was inevitably sacked and Sean Dyche was appointed. Simms would have more joy under Dyche's reign, scoring his first senior goal for the club away against Chelsea. Despite this the young forward remained out of favour and was subsequently sold to Coventry.

Ellis Simms has completed a permanent transfer to @Coventry_City for an undisclosed fee.

Good luck in your new chapter, @_ellissimms. 🔵

— Everton (@Everton) July 7, 2023

Under Mark Robins in his first Championship season, Simms scored 13 league goals. Last season he had a significant drop off after reuniting with boss Lampard, with the striker scoring just 6 goals in the league having made 43 appearances, albeit many of those coming from the bench.

This goal return was disappointing as many Coventry fans had hoped Simms would step up in the absence of Haji Wright due to an ankle injury. Thankfully for the striker, other players like Jack Rudoni and Victor Torp stepped up with crucial goals to help Coventry finish in the play-offs.

Simms had to answer questions of whether he could step up to the plate this time around, with Wright sidelined and he exceeded fans expectations by scoring 3 goals in 2 appearances. He is now a goal away from his league tally from last season already, with no sign of slowing down.

Lampard and Co Now TEN Points Clear

After last nights victory, Coventry have gone 10 points clear at the top of the Championship. Meanwhile, Middlesborough have dropped to 3rd after Stoke won their game against Charlton.

Lampard's Coventry have only lost once all season, with their goal difference sitting at an impressive +30, having scored 19 more than the team with the second most in the league.

A 4-2 win for Coventry City against Middlesbrough means Frank Lampard's side are 10 points clear at the top of the league — and have a +30 goal difference. pic.twitter.com/Yyd5N76dEr

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 25, 2025

It is already starting to look like this could finally be the year for Coventry to get promoted to the Premier League, after recent heartbreak in the play-offs. The only obvious setbacks that could halt them in their tracks would be if they were to get anymore injuries, as the busy festive period draws closer.