Coventry City’s Ellis Simms says the second-tier side can “go all the way” in the FA Cup after the forward went level on goals with Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland in this season’s competition.
Former Everton prospect Simms bundled the Sky Blues ahead in the 53rd minute of a remarkable quarter-final win on Saturday at Premier League opponents Wolves, who came back to establish a 2-1 lead in the 88th minute.
Simms’ header seven minutes into added time put Coventry on course for extra time before Haji Wright curled in the winner three minutes later to send City to Wembley Stadium for the semi-finals.
“It’s definitely up there, if not the most important win in my career so far,” Simms told ITV, having put himself on five goals and two assists in the 2023/24 FA Cup – the most combined of any player.
“It’s unbelievable. The fans have been amazing and we’re just delighted. I’m so proud of the lads – we’ve dug in and even at 2-1 down we never gave up.”
Read our other news stories here:
Kane breaks records but suffers injury
Premier League results round-up
Coventry shock Wolves
FA Cup winners in 1986/87, Coventry are eighth in the Championship and could face the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea in the final four.
Manager Mark Robins apologised after the game for taunting a ballboy amid wild celebrations after Wright’s strike, and there was drama before the astonishing end to the game when a lengthy VAR check took place over Simms’ opener.
The 23-year-old was suspected of handball but the goal was allowed, kickstarting a captivating contest in which City were worthy winners.
“One of their players was holding me,” Simms said of his nervy wait to discover whether he had scored. “The VAR took an awful long time. It was a great feeling when it was given.”
SIMMS LEVELS IT LATE!
What a cup tie!#ITVFootball | #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/xLTDTT4dN0
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 16, 2024
FA Cup semi-finals ‘awesome’
“It’s going to be a great occasion at Wembley,” predicted Simms. “It’s awesome. We’re just going to enjoy it; we’ve come this far, we want to go all the way.
“The next round will be tough, [probably] against a top Premier League team, but we will give it our all and go in with all guns blazing.”
Coventry have won their last three matches but tasted defeat at Wembley in last season’s Championship play-off final.
