Haji Wright delivered his finest moments since returning to action for Coventry City.
Wright recorded a hat trick in the Sky Blues’ 3-0 EFL Championship victory over Sunderland. The U.S. men’s national team forward earned Man of the Match honors as Frank Lampard’s men moved into the top-six.
Wright opened the scoring in the 21st minute, finishing off a Coventry City fast break with a left-footed strike. Victor Torp set up Wright before the 26-year-old drilled a long-range shot into the bottom-right corner.
Coventry City doubled its lead eight minutes later with Wright scoring from the penalty spot.
It marked Wright’s first multi-goal performance since August 2024.
Wright capped his memorable performance with his third and final goal of the match. Torp set up the in-form striker once again, delivering a two-assist day.
Wright led all players in duels won (12) and fouls drawn (5), taking his goal tally to 10 in all competitions.
Lampard, who hasn’t seen Wright in action a lot this season, praised his performance and recent return to the squad.
“I haven’t seen Haji, other than what I’ve seen before, so I was excited to get him back and to play him in this level of game today and show what he did was really impressive,” Lampard said postmatch. “He’s been out for a while and had a few substitute appearances and a difficult game against Derby, as it was for everyone, but today was an outstanding individual performance.
“I know he is a big player for us, so to see it in the flesh and be that clinical at the top end of the pitch, to have success you want those players at the top end of the pitch, so to have that confidence and to be able to play the way he played was brilliant,” Lampard added. “His work ethic, competing for headers, then when the ball was at his feet and when he had space, or didn’t have space, he moves it so well.”
Coventry City heads into the international break before closing its March schedule against Sheffield United on March 28.
