Lampard Hails 'Real Pleasure' of Coventry's First Premier League Win as Newcastle Test Looms
Relief and pleasure at last for Coventry
Frank Lampard has described Coventry City's long-awaited first Premier League victory as both a relief and a pleasure, but warned his players they must keep building as they prepare to welcome Newcastle United to the CBS Arena.
Coventry lost each of their first four Premier League matches after promotion without scoring a single goal, before ending both droughts in one afternoon with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest before the international break — a first top-flight victory in 25 years.
Results elsewhere over the weekend later pushed the Sky Blues down to 19th in the table, underlining how much work remains, even as Lampard celebrated a landmark moment for his squad.
"It was really a relief and a real pleasure as it sunk in for the players to feel that feeling of winning a Premier League game," Lampard said.
"I have to understand why, [for] the players, that's a big deal for them, so as long as we remember all the reasons why they got there and keep doubling down on all the work we're talking about and what we do, then it's good.
"There will be things that they will naturally learn as they go, and my job is to be there to support them and understand if they keep going, keep working, belief will grow with that."
A fixture that suits Lampard — and a ground that does not suit Coventry
Newcastle have historically been one of Lampard's favourite opponents. Only against Crystal Palace (five) has he won more Premier League games as a manager than he has versus the Magpies (three), and he is confident of adding to that tally provided Coventry keep progressing.
The statistical picture, however, is less encouraging. Coventry have lost seven of their last eight league meetings with Newcastle (W1), including each of the last five in a row. This is the first time the two clubs have met in the league since the 2009-10 Championship season, and the first top-flight meeting since 2000-01.
Newcastle won both of their most recent league visits to Coventry by 2-0 scorelines — in September 2000 and December 2009 — though they have never won three in a row at the venue.
Coventry's home form this term is a growing concern: they have lost both of their Premier League home games this season by an aggregate score of 0-6. Only five sides in the competition's history have lost each of their opening three home matches of a campaign without scoring — Everton in 2005-06 and 2023-24, Crystal Palace in 2017-18, Burnley in 2020-21 and Wolves in 2021-22.
Jaissle wary of 'momentum' behind Coventry
Newcastle arrive sitting 11th, having lost just one of their five league matches since Matthias Jaissle took charge. They responded to a resounding 4-1 defeat to Leeds United by beating high-flying Hull City 2-1 before the break.
Since the start of May, only Arsenal (eight) and Manchester City (seven) have won more Premier League games than Newcastle (four), and the Magpies are chasing successive league wins for the third time in 2026, having already done so in January and in March.
Jaissle, though, is refusing to look too far ahead and is well aware of the threat posed by a reinvigorated Coventry.
"Every team is capable of winning against every opponent," Jaissle said. "Coventry have the momentum, as they won their last match, and confidence. They also have quality and a clear playing style.
"If we perform at our best, then it will be difficult to beat us. We want to make it as difficult for them as possible."
Players to watch
Coventry City – Jay Dasilva
Jay Dasilva scored Coventry's first Premier League goal of the season on his 127th appearance across all competitions, ending a run of 599 minutes without a goal in the top flight. Having broken the seal, the defender will be central to whether the Sky Blues can finally get off the mark at home.
Newcastle United – Lewis Hall
Only Kobbie Mainoo (40) has won possession more times than Lewis Hall (38) in the Premier League this season. Hall also ranks top among all full-backs and wing-backs for carries (64) and carry distance (803.5 metres), making him a persistent outlet for Jaissle's side.
Match prediction
Opta's model makes Newcastle United favourites for the trip to the CBS Arena.
- Coventry City – 29.8%
- Draw – 25.4%
- Newcastle United – 44.8%