After Just Two Goal Scored Since Mid October, Wright Scored Thrice in a Victory Over Middlesbrough
American striker Haji Wright delivered a statement performance on Monday night, scoring all three goals in Coventry City's 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough at the Coventry Building Society Arena. The result sent the Sky Blues back to the Championship summit, one point clear of their vanquished opponents.
Wright's hat-trick was particularly timely given his recent struggles in front of goal. The 27-year-old had managed just two goals in his previous 19 appearances, a concerning dip for a player who started the season explosively with nine goals before October's international break. Against Boro, however, Wright rediscovered his clinical edge at the perfect moment.
His evening began dramatically, heading against the post within the opening two minutes. Undeterred, Wright opened the scoring midway through the first half, finishing smartly after excellent buildup play. His second goal showcased both his physical presence and finishing quality—he muscled Luke Ayling off the ball following goalkeeper Carl Rushworth's long clearance before firing into the far corner.
After Riley McGree pulled one back for Middlesbrough, Wright sealed his hat-trick from the penalty spot just 17 seconds after the restart, converting after Matt Targett's handball. The performance earned Wright a 9.7 player rating and the Man of the Match award, with his three goals coming from five total shots.
On the opposing side, fellow American Aidan Morris featured for the full 90 minutes in Middlesbrough's midfield. The 24-year-old completed 82 of 90 passes at an impressive 91% accuracy rate, contributing defensively with two tackles and two interceptions while winning six of 11 ground duels. Despite Morris's solid if unspectacular contribution, Boro's six-game winning streak came crashing down against Wright's inspired display, extending Middlesbrough's winless run against Coventry to seven consecutive matches.
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