Sutton makes ‘sore’ Lampard admission as ‘dismal’ Sunderland claim made
Chris Sutton has made his feelings about Frank Lampard apparent after Coventry City’s defeat against Sunderland.
The Black Cats delivered a crushing blow to Coventry, as they beat them 3-2 on aggregate in the Championship play-off semi-finals.
Despite losing 2-1 in the first leg, Lampard’s side looked like they could turn things around against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday (13 May) after taking the lead through Ephron Mason-Clark.
However, Daniel Ballard found the back of the net in the dying seconds of extra time to win the tie for the hosts, much to the Sky Blues’ disappointment.
Regis Le Bris and Co. now turn their attention towards the final against Sheffield United at Wembley next Saturday (24 May).
Sutton makes Sheffield United v Sunderland claim
Reacting to the dramatic tie, Sutton admitted that he did not watch the game on Tuesday, but suggested that Sunderland may have been lucky to beat Coventry in the tie.
He pointed out how the Wearside-based club had ‘fallen off a cliff’ towards the end of the league campaign and benefited from a Coventry error in the first leg of the semi-final tie.
| Sunderland | Stat | Coventry City |
| 16 | Shots | 20 |
| 4 | Shots on target | 2 |
| 41% | Possession | 59% |
| 451 | Passes | 614 |
| 78% | Pass accuracy | 83% |
The Sky Sports confessed that he was fully expecting the Sky Blues to turn things around at the Stadium of Light and believes the defeat would be ‘sore’ for Lampard.
He went on to name Sheffield United as the favourites to win the Championship play-off final next weekend, but refused to rule Le Bris‘ side out.
“I didn’t see all the game. I mean, they’d sort of fallen off a cliff at the end of the season as well, hadn’t they?”, Sutton said on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast (14 May).
“And then, beat Coventry as there was an error, wasn’t there, in the last couple of minutes when they were at Coventry.
“I actually thought Coventry might turn it around, and that was a sore one for Frank Lampard.
“I’m with you on that. Sheffield United, what a chance, but you just don’t know. Play-off final, anything can happen, you know, player gets sent off, whatever. The pressure might get to Sheffield United.
“They blew the lead when they could have had the automatic promotion from the Championship, didn’t they? They blew that.
“They beat Bristol City really well, 6-0, I think, on aggregate. So, they go in as strong favourites, but the fact that Sunderland have found a way to get through after their dismal run? Big club, as well.”
Le Bris eyes Premier League promotion
It appears that the odds are stacked against Sunderland as they prepare to lock horns with Sheffield United in the play-off final.
However, that may prove to be an advantage for the Black Cats, who can now play without pressure.
Le Bris, though, will be positive about his team’s chances of beating the Blades to book their place in the Premier League next term.
It would certainly be a huge achievement for the 49-year-old, as this is only his first season on English soil.