Coventry promoted to Premier League after Blackburn draw as Frank Lampard ends 25-year wait

Callum Vurley
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:10:55 +0000

Coventry City are back in the Premier League after a quarter of a century away, and what a way to do it.

A dramatic 1-1 draw at Ewood Park on Friday night was enough to seal promotion, with Bobby Thomas rising to nod home a late free-kick when it looked like the celebrations might have to wait.

It's a truly historic moment for the Sky Blues, who last graced English football's top flight back in 2001.

The scenes at full-time were everything you'd expect from such an occasion – this is a club that has been through the wringer to get here.

Ryoya Morishita had put Blackburn in front early in the second half, and suddenly it looked like the promotion party would need to be put on hold.

But Thomas had other ideas, powering a header into the net from a set piece to snatch the crucial point.

The final whistle brought absolute pandemonium. Fans were in tears throughout the stands, while players let out guttural screams of pure joy.

Frank Lampard, ever the reserved figure, was spotted pressing the flesh and soaking it all in.

It was a historic night for a grand old club that has waited so long for this moment.

Just look at those scenes! 🤩

Coventry City are BACK in the Premier League! pic.twitter.com/toRWiLyVjv
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 17, 2026

The road back has been anything but smooth for Coventry.

Since dropping out of the top flight, the club has endured three relegations, cycled through 15 permanent managers – with Mark Robins taking the job twice – and played at four different grounds.

Last season brought fresh heartbreak when they fell short in the play-offs, leaving real questions about whether they could go again.

But under Lampard, they've stepped up even more. Only Burnley and Leeds managed a better record than Coventry last term, and the mentality he's instilled in the squad has clearly carried them through this campaign's challenges.

Lampard's journey to this moment has been one of redemption.

His time at Derby taught him the Championship inside out – reaching the play-off final against Aston Villa showed him that sometimes you simply have to find a way to win, regardless of how pretty it looks.

After difficult spells at Chelsea and Everton left his reputation battered, he's rebuilt it entirely on his own terms at Coventry.

🍾🍾🍾 pic.twitter.com/L6SorFnVQD
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 17, 2026

Lampard was understandably emotional after the win and he said during the celebrations: "We knew we were very nearly there, but to get it over the line like this for this club after 25 years, wow.

"To get automatic promotion as a non-parachute team with three games to go, it makes me feel emotional."