Coventry City

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Former Premier League striker Charlie Austin says Coventry City must start to get points on the board soon because "the season can quickly get away from you".

The Sky Blues became only the second side in Premier League history to lose their first four matches without scoring after Sunday's 5-0 home thumping at the hands of Brighton.

"For me the gap between the Premier League and the EFL is way too big," Austin told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"If you don't get your recruitment right in the summer it will show and you will be punished.

"You can be just above average and play well in the EFL and get over the line but in the Premier League you can't do that. You will be punished.

"In the Premier League the top strikers might miss one but the second one is going in the back of the net. Coventry are finding that at the moment.

"Do they have enough in their team to score the goals and win the games?

"I see them collectively as a very good team, but not a very good Premier League team.

"That is the worry because the season can quickly get away from you. When you have a start like this you are always looking at your points total. They will be thinking we are still on zero points, still on zero goals and that needs to change as soon as possible."

How concerned are you by Coventry City's start to the season? Is history writing off Frank Lampard's side too soon?

Get in touch with your views here

Listen to the first episode on BBC Sounds

Keifer MacDonald and Jess Anderson
BBC Sport journalists

Coventry City have waited 25 years for a return to the Premier League, but the reality of realising that dream is suddenly starting to look rather miserable.

Their campaign could not have started much worse with four successive defeats - all without scoring a goal - highlighting the brutality of the top flight.

The unwanted records are already beginning to pile up for Frank Lampard's side.

It is the club's worst start to a season since 1919-20, when they lost their opening nine matches in what was their first league campaign.

Their lack of goals means they are only the fifth side in English top-flight history to lose each of their opening four matches of the campaign, while also failing to score at least once - after Derby Country (1899-1900), Stoke City (1906-07), Preston North End (1924-25) and Crystal Palace (2017-18).

Even though the West Midlands side had been dealt a tough start to life back in the big time, including fixtures at Arsenal and Manchester City, the manner in which they were thrashed on Sunday will raise alarm bells about what the rest of the season might have in store.

They have now lost their past 46 Premier League matches when conceding first, a run that stretches back to March 1999.

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport: "The big problem for Coventry is that losing by a margin of 5-0 just takes all the confidence away from the players.

"They will be looking at other teams above them and they will feel a million miles off right now. Frank [Lampard] and the players have to find a way to get through this. There is no doubt they'll be down and hurting right now.

"They have being doing some good stuff and they have created chances in the last two games, but they just haven't taken them. The sending off here killed them.

"What's important is the squad stays together and is on the same page. They have got to dig in."

Since the Premier League began in 1992, only one team (Southampton - 2012-13) has survived relegation after losing their opening four games of the campaign.

Read the full article here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Coventry City and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Coventry fans

Frank: Obviously you look at the score and it looks like a proper embarrassing spanking, but it wasn't a 5-0 thrashing. The second goal is just awful and then we go down to ten and the game is done. Fans were great though. Put the kids out for the Aston Villa cup game, a win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday has to be what we focus on.

Stephen: Worst performance I have seen in ten years. I wasn't happy with the starting formation - five at the back is too negative. Doug King has a big decision to make if the next couple of games don't end with some points. It's not just the scoreline, it's the performance that hurts more. Apart from a good second half against Manchester City, we have been poor.

Geo: We were outplayed. Brighton were faster to each ball and seemed to have loads of space to set up their attacks. We were second best in tackles and the ball seemed to run with Brighton. Their goalkeeper pulled off two magical saves.

Barry: Coventry shouldn't get too down. There's a lot of the season left for them to bounce back.

Brighton fans

Sarah: A breath of fresh air! Looked dodgy at the start - Coventry played well and could have got three in quick succession if Bart Verbruggen hadn't been so on the ball. And what a corker from Lewis Dunk! He'll quite rightly dine out on that forever - got to be goal of the month and great he's found a way to play with our new guys. Everyone's having a go. Five goals from five players. Brilliant play all round.

Stuart: Potential banana skin for us. After a good first period I was worried when Coventry seized the initiative and Bart kept us in the game. After that we just moved up the gears - ultimately, a superb performance. Our interchange of players' positions continues to baffle teams. Just wait until we get our preferred starting XI.

Stuart: That'll do nicely - goals are exactly what we can produce given the chances we create and we stayed switched on for the majority of the game. Decent all-round performance. Bigger tests to come but a real team performance today.

Ben: Thought Coventry were a little unlucky not to go in at least even at half time. Nailed on red card absolutely finished the contest. Can't see what the player was complaining about - he even had a nibble seconds before. Clearly his head was gone. Coventry looked a little naive defending with ten men, but still had a couple of chances. Bart had a terrific day, Carl Rushworth wasn't at fault for any of our goals as far as I could see. Nice to see us add a couple late on. Thoroughly good day for the Seagulls.

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry's performances this season perhaps deserve more than their situation suggests.

They pushed Manchester City close in a tight 1-0 loss last time out when they were unlucky not to leave Etihad Stadium with at least a point.

But Frank Lampard said before the match against Brighton that this could be a more difficult task than the one against Enzo Maresca's side, and so it proved as the unwanted records accumulate.

Their eight first-half chances yielded an xG (expected goals) of 1.09, their best of the season so far, but again a lack of potency in front of goal proved costly.

Brilliant saves from Bart Verbruggen denied Jack Rudoni and Frank Onyeka on the volley, while Jack Rudoni also hit the side-netting.

The hosts looked to get on the front foot in the second half too, but Malick Yalcouye's goal to double Brighton's lead, quickly followed by Taiwo Awoniyi's sending-off, was enough to sap the energy from the newly promoted side.

The result was a brutal reminder of what can happen when things begin to spiral in this league and, having showed signs of promise last week, it served as a reality check for Lampard's team and highlighted how difficult staying up will be.

Despite two late goals rubbing salt in the wound for the hosts, large sections of their supporters continued to serenade their players and manager at full-time in an attempt to galvanise their team in what will be a tough campaign.

Coventry manager Frank Lampard speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It's a difficult scoreline and it's not easy at home. The first half was pretty good, we created some chances, better chances and we had them under a lot of pressure. Then a mistake to make it 2-0 and the red card makes it very difficult.

"We have to take responsibility. We did some good stuff, then the game became very, very difficult for us. We have to keep working. At [Manchester] City last week we created a few big chances and [Gianluigi] Donnarumma made some good saves. The pressure of the Premier League for these players is new. We have to continue to work and hopefully when we start scoring, and this team scored a lot of goals last season, but we have to keep working.

"I can't complain with the players at the end."

On the backing from the supporters at the end: "These supporters have watched this team go from 17th in the Championship up to the play-offs, nearly in the Premier League then next year win the league so well. The appreciate the work done by these players and that was a sign of respect for what they have done and we absolutely respect that."

Did you know?

• With this defeat, Coventry City became just the fifth side in English top-flight history to lose each of their opening four matches of a campaign while also failing to score a goal, after Derby in 1899-1900, Stoke in 1906-07, Preston in 1924-25 and Crystal Palace in 2017-18.

• Coventry boss Frank Lampard suffered the joint-heaviest defeat of his managerial career, along with Everton 0-5 Tottenham in the Premier League in March 2022.

• Taiwo Awoniyi received the first red card of his Premier League career in this match, in what was his 94th appearance in the competition. It was also Coventry's first Premier League red card since Mustapha Hadji was given his marching orders against Derby in March 2001.

Hear more from Lampard on BBC Sounds

Listen to the Sky Blues Live - Post-match show

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Coventry's performance

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are two games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Coventry v Brighton (14:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester United v Manchester City (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-offs BST

Follow all of the early action from CBS Arena here

And get all updates from Old Trafford here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Manchester United v Manchester City" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Coventry match", for example.

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

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New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Boss Frank Lampard believes Carl Rushworth can make an England breakthrough at Coventry.

The goalkeeper returned to the CBS Arena for an initial £22.5m from Brighton this summer after helping the Sky Blues win last season's Championship title while on loan.

He faces a swift reunion with the Seagulls when they come to Coventry in the Premier League on Sunday (14:00 BST).

After failing to make it at Brighton, Lampard feels Rushworth, who spoke about his international ambitions last season, has a chance to compete for an England spot now.

He said: "Quality wise yes, I believe that. The best thing for the player is to work day to day and deliver - as he tends to deliver - and keep improving, then those things will naturally come because of the level of goalkeeper he is."

Rushworth won Euro 2023 with England Under-21s, although did not play, and earned one cap for the Young Lions.

He has started Coventry's opening three games as they chase their first win and points against his former club.

Rushworth started his career at Brighton but never made a senior appearance and had loan spells at Walsall, Lincoln, Swansea and Hull City before spending last season at Coventry.

He eventually returned two weeks before the start of the season and Lampard conceded the 25-year-old needed to be patient.

"It was drawn out. We got where we wanted to be in the end and he stayed calm throughout. We know he was keen to move, we just had to stay patient," he said.

"I have enough experience to know with these deals there is always a time when the player feels it may not happen and gets frustrated. It was about staying cool in those moments and he did that."

Coventry played well against Manchester City and should have got something from the game, but didn't.

I can see them going toe-to-toe with Brighton, but it's dangerous to think they will get something this week just because they troubled Enzo Maresca's side.

Brighton are a naturally attacking side, with some very good players. It will be hard to keep them out.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Paul Birch
BBC Sport journalist

Coventry City will again attempt to get off the mark for both points and goals as they face a Brighton side who have created more big chances than any other top-flight team so far this season.

BBC Sport takes a look at the key themes going into Sunday's fixture.

Having lost their first three league games of a season without scoring for the first time in their history, the Sky Blues now host the Seagulls desperate to get the ball in the back of the net and their campaign up and running.

Only in their first league campaign back in 1919-20 have they lost their opening four games, while Crystal Palace in 2017-18 are the only side in Premier League history to lose their first four matches without scoring.

One troubling omen for Coventry fans is that only one of the 12 promoted teams that have previously lost their opening three Premier League matches have gone on to survive relegation - Southampton in 2012-13.

The fixture computer has been extremely unkind on their Premier League return with away games at Arsenal and Manchester City, but on another day they could have left Etihad Stadium last Saturday with a point.

They had 12 shots and an xG of 1.37, with home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma having to produce great saves to keep out Jack Rudoni, Loum Tchaouna and Ellis Simms. It means Mustapha Hadji remains the last Coventry player to score a top-flight goal on 5 May 2001.

The defeat also continued Frank Lampard's poor run in Premier League matches as a boss that now stands at just four wins in his past 33 (D8, L21), and just one in his past 20.

One sobering statistic to come out of the Etihad was that Elliot Anderson's 143 completed passes was more than the 139 the entire Coventry team managed between them.

Brighton looking to turn strong stats into points

A look at Brighton's statistical showing after three games suggests that they should maybe have a better return than their one win, one draw and one defeat.

The Seagulls have had more big chances (15) and a higher xG (7.4) than any other side in the Premier League this season while the Seagulls rank second for passing accuracy (88.4%) and possession (71.6%). At the other end of the pitch only Arsenal (24) and Man City (26) have faced fewer shots than their 33.

Fabian Hurzeler side have dominated the ball, posting average possession figures of 73.1% against Aston Villa, 74.1% versus Chelsea and 67.1% against Leeds.

Yet they weren't at their best against Leeds and once again had to rely on battling back from going behind. Only Aston Villa have won more points from a losing position than Brighton's 39 since Hurzeler took charge.

One highlight was club-record signing Luka Vuskovic scoring his first goal for the club. His header from a corner is exactly what Hurzeler is expecting from his team having tweaked their tactical approach this season to become more physical and be more proficient at set pieces.

"There are different ways of being physical and being competitive in the Premier League, and that's why I think that's definitely also a point where we want to improve," the Brighton boss said.

"We know how important set-pieces are, and we experienced it last season that set-pieces can win you big things.

"It's definitely also a thing where we need to adjust and adapt. But it's also, and that's important to emphasise, not the main priority for us."

Against the Sky Blues they will be protecting an impressive record versus promoted sides of just one defeat in their last 14 Premier League games (W7, D6).

In their last match the Seagulls named a starting XI made up of 11 different nationalities for the first time in their 345th Premier League game.

Coventry City fans join presenter Rob Gurney on this week's BBC CWR's Sky Blues Fancast.

They discuss Coventry's start to the Premier League season and whether Frank Lampard's side can finally secure their first three points when they face Brighton on Sunday.

The team also look back at Bobby Thomas' "immense" display against Erling Haaland last weekend.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and subscribe to the dedicated Coventry City page to get all Sky Blues audio content.

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Coventry boss Frank Lampard has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Brighton at CBS Arena (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Josh Eccles, Kaine Kesler and Luke Woolfenden are expected back in training by the international break next month, while late addition Yann Gboho, has been "training and adapting" to the squad for the past week. On what type of player fans should be expecting, Lampard said: "An attacking player who can play various positions, from the left side of midfield or left wing and number 10. He can play in different systems."

• Loanee Stephen Mfuni was ineligible to face parent club Manchester City at the weekend, but Lampard says the versatile defender is fitting in "very well on and off the pitch" and is ready to play.

• When asked if the squad are starting to feel more like a Premier League team now, Lampard said: "We are a Premier League team - that's it. We've gone to Arsenal, who are the champions, and Manchester City - two very tough matches. We did create and it's never a given that you can convert chances. This is football and it's something we'll want to do to be successful in this league."

• He added: "We shouldn't overanalyse what it means at this point - it's what we show going forward in the games coming up. We knew it was going to be a tough start and that's proven true, but I feel we're in a better place having gone through those three games than where we were at the start of the season."

• Lampard also said the mood and mentality among the squad has been "good" in training this week, with the players taking confidence from the City defeat.

• On facing Brighton: "You take the game in isolation and understand that it's probably going to be a very difficult game. They are a team that's been building for a long time, a football club that has a particular way of playing. For me, this could be as hard, if not harder than, Manchester City for different reasons."

Hear more from Lampard above or on BBC Sounds here

Listen to full match commentary and build-up from 12:00 on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Got a question about Coventry? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League has announced it will stage seven matches on Boxing Day this year after releasing its festive schedule.

Four fixtures will be staged at 15:00 GMT, with further matches played at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00.

The fixture programme for 26 December, which falls on a Saturday in 2026, is considerably bigger than last year, when one game was held.

Three matches will be played on Sunday, 27 December, while three further rounds of games will be held over a period up to Thursday, 7 January.

A round of evening midweek fixtures will staged on 29-30 December, while Leeds will host Everton (20:00) for the only match on New Year's Day.

The remainder of that round will be held over the weekend of 2-3 January, with the fourth round of games spread across the evenings of 5-7 January.

The Premier League has brought forward the announcement of fixture scheduling over the Christmas and New Year period after consultation with both broadcast partners and the Football Supporters' Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.

Television scheduling for Premier League fixtures has been announced up to Monday, 2 November, with broadcast selections for the remaining games in November and December to be announced in the weeks commencing 21 September and 19 October respectively.

The Premier League has guaranteed clubs at least a 60-hour break between fixtures over the festive period to address the concerns over a congested festive schedule that follows recent expansions of the European and international calendars.

Premier League Christmas and New Year schedule

Saturday, 26 December

12:30 Aston Villa v Leeds

15:00 Everton v Sunderland

15:00 Fulham v Brighton

15:00 Ipswich v Brentford

15:00 Spurs v AFC Bournemouth

17:30 Hull v Liverpool

20:00 Newcastle v Manchester City

Sunday, 27 December

14:00 Coventry v Chelsea

16:30 Manchester Utd v Nottingham Forest

19:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Tuesday, 29 December

19:30 Hull v Leeds

19:30 Spurs v Brighton

20:15 Everton v Manchester City

Wednesday, 30 December

19:30 Coventry v Brentford

19:30 Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Fulham v Arsenal

19:30 Manchester United v Sunderland

19:30 Newcastle v Nottingham Forest

20:15 Aston Villa v Liverpool

20:15 Ipswich v Chelsea

Friday, 1 January

20:00 Leeds v Everton

Saturday, 2 January

12:30 Brighton v Manchester United

15:00 Arsenal v Ipswich

15:00 Brentford v Crystal Palace

15:00 Liverpool v Coventry

15:00 Nottingham Forest v Fulham

15:00 Sunderland v Hull

17:30 AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Sunday, 3 January

14:00 Chelsea v Newcastle

16:30 Manchester City v Spurs

Tuesday, 5 January

19:30 Arsenal v Brentford

19:30 Brighton v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Everton v Aston Villa

19:30 Nottingham Forest v Hull

20:15 Sunderland v Liverpool

Wednesday, 6 January

19:30 Crystal Palace v Chelsea

19:30 Fulham v Spurs

19:30 Ipswich v Coventry

20:15 Leeds v Manchester City

Thursday, 7 January

20:00 Manchester United v Newcastle

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at Match of the Day?

BBC CWR breakfast presenter Lorna Bailey joined Gabby Logan to see how the show is put together and talk about her connection to Coventry City.

Listen by pressing the play button above, or listen on BBC Sounds here

You can also watch Midlands Today's news feature by hitting play below

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Coventry City are yet to get off the mark in this 2026-27 Premier League campaign, sitting bottom of the table with no points from the opening three games.

But following Saturday's narrow 1-0 defeat at eight-time champions Manchester City, many supporters believe this is where the season truly starts.

BBC CWR fancaster Danny Finlay said Frank Lampard's side showed "guts, style and fight" at the Etihad which has convinced him they have enough to compete in the top-flight this season.

"I do get why people are panicking because we are three games in and haven't scored a goal, but they need a run of games," Danny said. "In the last few weeks of the window we brought in nine players and they don't all come in ready to go.

"They are all at different stages so people have to understand that.

"The performance on Saturday against Manchester City proved that we can compete at this level. I worried about that after the Hull City defeat, but they showed guts, style and fight against City which to me shows points are coming."

Fellow fancaster Matt Cattell agreed that "it's early days" and too early to panic and lose faith.

"We've had the most difficult start out of the three newly-promoted clubs," said Matt. "Arsenal and Manchester City away are two of the most difficult games of the season.

"The Hull City game was a smash and grab. They have spent the majority of their first three games in their own box. They are nullifying and killing games, but picking up points."

Danny added: "As for Ipswich, I'm not worried about them. I'm just worried about us and concentrating on what we need to do."

Listen to the Sky Blues Fancast on BBC Sounds

Will Oelrich
BBC CWR Coventry reporter

Coventry City's style of play has been the subject of several questions sent in via our Sky Blues Ask Me Anything form, with some of you wondering whether Frank Lampard will adjust it this season as a result of facing higher-level opposition.

Coventry's shape under Lampard is never fixed and that tactical flexibility is going to be a major theme of their Premier League return.

We saw it immediately against Manchester City, when Lampard switched to a back five rather than the usual back four that served them so well in the Championship.

It wasn't a one‑off. Even when he first arrived, Lampard wasn't afraid to load the defensive line, and against elite sides who dominate the ball, that compactness becomes a necessity.

Yes, it limits your attacking options, but in this league, sometimes that is the difference between leaving with a point and leaving with nothing.

The Premier League is unforgiving, stacked with world‑class players, and there will be times where a more conservative approach is simply the smartest route.

There is also the element of surprise as opponents will prepare for Coventry's usual patterns and threats. By changing the shape, suddenly the opposition's plan looks a lot less comfortable.

Lampard's willingness to tweak the system gives the Sky Blues an edge, and having already rolled out a back five against the 2025-26 runners-up, it certainly won't be the last time we see it this season.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

Find out more here

Coventry City fans Matt Cattell and Danny Finlay join presenter Will Oelrich on this weeks BBC CWR's Sky Blues Fancast.

They assess the Sky Blues start to the season, including the recent defeat to Manchester City, and how they think Coventry are fairing compared to fellow newly promoted clubs Hull City and Ipswich Town.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and subscribe to the dedicated Coventry City page to get all Sky Blues audio content.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Coventry City.

Here are some of your comments:

Manchester City fans

Michael: Satisfactory performance by City, but made to work hard for it at times by a plucky Coventry. Several outstanding performances, especially by Anderson with his remarkable 155 passes.

Arthur: The one true decisive moment of quality from Man City proved to be enough, great pass, great cross and a great header. The rest was not good enough and in the second half Coventry gave them a lesson in how to put good balls into the box. They were unlucky to not come away with at least a draw. City need to sharpen up, or it will cost them in the future.

Steven: So many new signings needing to get up to speed and familiarity with new players will always take a little time. There is always too much expectation but nine points from nine to start with is all that matters.

Prince: Something is still missing with this Man City side. No swagger, no fear. Any average-to-good side will beat them every day. With over 70% possession, they only won by one goal. Coventry were just unlucky.

Coventry City fans

Darren: Best performance of the season by far - we were unlucky not to score. We move onto the next with the positive performance we have put in today.

Jane: Quicker progress made at this level than I expected. Keep it going and we'll be fine.

Jack: Much improved performance from against Arsenal in the first game. We had some great spells of possession and had some real chances to score. Ethan Pinnock really bolstered our defence. It was a good decision from Frank to play three at the back. Brighton at home next week is a winnable game, so all we can do now is prepare properly and build on today's performance.

Mike: Great game management and substitutions by Frank, but just came up short because we didn't take our chances.