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Wolves logo
FA Cup | Quarter-Finals
Mar 16, 2024 at 12.15pm UK
Molineux Stadium
Coventry City

Wolves
2 - 3
Coventry

Ait-Nouri (83'), Bueno (88')
Ait-Nouri (7'), Sarabia (81')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Simms (53', 90+7'), Wright (90+10')
Palmer (90+11')

Coventry City net twice in added-on time to beat Wolves and reach FA Cup semi-finals

Coventry net twice in added-on time to reach FA Cup semis
© Reuters
Coventry City sensationally score twice deep into stoppage time to record a 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

Coventry City achieved one of the most remarkable wins in FA Cup quarter-final history, scoring twice deep into stoppage time to record a 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Ellis Simms gave the Championship side the lead early in the second half and they were deservedly heading through to the last four before Rayan Ait-Nouri and Hugo Bueno turned the game around for Wolves.

However, Coventry snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, with Simms equalising in the 97th minute before Haji Wright curled a shot into the far corner of the net in the 10th minute of added-on time.

The Sky Blues reach their first semi-final since the 1986-87 campaign, the year that they last won the trophy, while Wolves are left to contemplate what could have been. Wright's goal marks the fourth time that they have conceded in the 97th minute and beyond since February 1, all at the same end of Molineux.

Both head coaches made two changes for this contest, with Gary O'Neil unable to call upon Matheus Cunha despite a return to training and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Pedro Neto also missing due to their respective injuries sustained against Fulham last weekend.

The opening quarter-of-an-hour of the contest lacked goalmouth action, with Wright having the best opportunity for Coventry as he lashed a shot just wide of the far post from inside the area.

Wolves also had concerns over a thigh injury for goalkeeper Jose Sa, which required treatment, while aside from one low threatening ball into the box, they did not cause Coventry any alarm.

Coventry City forward Haji Wright in action against Wolverhampton Wanderers on March 15, 2024.© Reuters

Just before the half-hour mark, Wolves finally engineered a chance after good work from Nelson Semedo down the right, but each of Rayan Ait-Nouri and Mario Lemina could not force the ball through a pack of bodies and the opening went begging.

Semedo then fired straight at Brad Collins from 10 yards when he should have scored, before Sa made a strong low save to keep out Kasey Palmer's effort at the other end.

Ellis Simms somehow missed from three yards when the ball was sent across the area, but it would have been ruled out for offside had he converted.

Simms turned provider soon afterwards, driving at the Wolves backline before teeing up Milan van Ewijk, but the wing-back's effort was diverted behind by Sa.

At this point, it was all Coventry and Palmer should have done better when sending a side-footed volley straight at Sa, and Wolves were able to get to half time on level terms.

Upon the restart, both teams showed more ambition than they did at the start of the game, a rip-roaring run from Ait-Nouri ending with a shot going harmlessly wide with his weaker right foot.

Coventry City forward Ellis Simms celebrates scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers on March 15, 2024.© Reuters

However, Coventry would soon go in front. A free kick found Liam Kitching at the back post and his header back across goal was perfect for Simms to bundle home. VAR required several minutes to determine whether the ball had struck Simms's arm, but replays proved to be inconclusive so the goal was allowed to stand.

O'Neil made the immediate decision to introduce Leon Chiwome for his debut, replacing the ineffective Nathan Fraser, and switch to a back four, yet it was Coventry who looked far more likely to double their lead.

Sa had to be alert to deny each of Wright (twice) and Josh Eccles in the same passage of play, before Palmer sent a delicate effort agonisingly wide of the far post with the goalkeeper beaten all ends up.

Wolves finally responded, with Joao Gomes drilling a 20-yard effort towards the top corner that was brilliantly tipped wide by Collins, before Ait-Nouri hit the post with a close-range header at the back post.

Back came Coventry with Simms unleashing a thunderous effort that was punched clear by Sa, before Callum O'Hare also saw Sa parry a long-range strike away from goal.

Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrate scoring against Coventry City on March 16, 2024.© Reuters

The Wolves goalkeeper was back in action yet again to keep out Kitching from point-blank range, but Wolves somehow found the leveller that their play did not warrant with seven minutes left, a cross being inadvertently diverted into the path of Ait-Nouri who fired home from close range.

Ait-Nouri turned provider moments later with one of the assists of Wolves' season. The Algeria international galloped forward and in-field, drawing the attention of the defender, before threading a perfect through-ball to Bueno who calmly slotted into the bottom corner from 10 yards.

With nine minutes of stoppage time to come, the job was far from complete for Wolves, and so it proved as Coventry made it 2-2. A cross from the left was flicked on by Bobby Thomas and Simms was on hand to head home from close range.

After an exhausting contest, it felt like both sides would settle for extra time, but Coventry were not finished.

A low cross from the left from O'Hare was cushioned into the path of Wright by the excellent Simms, with the USA international doing the rest with a calm curled finish into the far bottom corner, leaving the excellent Sa with no chance and breaking the hearts of their Premier League opponents.

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Written by
Darren Plant
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