BY OUR SPORTS REPORTER I Coventry Building Society Arena
JACK RUDONI emerged from the bench to play the role of ultimate party-pooper for Derby County, netting a sensational double to fire Frank Lampard’s Coventry City to the cusp of the Premier League.
In a Good Friday cracker that had more twists than a seaside rollercoaster, the Sky Blues edged a 3-2 victory to move 11 points clear at the top of the Championship.
For Derby, it was a case of so near yet so far, as Ben Brereton Díaz’s clinical brace was cancelled out by a man who wasn’t even on the pitch at kick-off.
The hosts drew first blood after just 12 minutes. Brentford loanee Frank Onyeka lofted what looked like a hopeful cross from the right, only to watch in delight as it looped over Richard O’Donnell and kissed the far corner.
Derby, however, refused to lie down. On the stroke of half-time, Matt Clarke turned provider, whipping in a teasing ball that Coventry keeper Carl Rushworth completely misjudged. Brereton Díaz was there to gleefully nod into an empty net, sending the travelling Rams into raptures.
The second half belonged to the “Super-Sub.” Rudoni, returning from injury, entered the fray and needed just five minutes to make his mark. He danced through the Derby backline, leaving two defenders in a heap before coolly slotting home.
The drama didn’t stop there. Rushworth’s nightmare evening continued when he upended Brereton Díaz in the box. The Chile international dusted himself off to smash home the penalty, seemingly snatching a point for the visitors.
But Rudoni had the final word. In the 80th minute, he met Milan van Ewijk’s pinpoint cross with a first-time finish that flew past O’Donnell.
”The fans were incredible today,” a beaming Frank Lampard said after the whistle. “It was a proper game of football. We had to dig deep, but Jack showed that bit of star quality we’ve missed.”
With only six games left, Coventry need just eight more points to end their 25-year exile from the top flight. For Derby, they’ll wonder how a night where their star striker shone so brightly ended with nothing to show for it.
MATCH STATS
POSSESSION: Coventry 54% – Derby 46%
SHOTS ON TARGET: Coventry 7 – Derby 3
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jack Rudoni (Coventry City)
