Coventry City stun West Brom with comeback from 2-0 down to stay top of Championship

When Coventry City Football Club trailed 0-2 at home to West Bromwich Albion Football Club in the 65th minute of their EFL Championship clash on November 22, 2025, the writing seemed on the wall. The league leaders, sitting atop the second tier with a 12-point cushion, looked out of sorts, outplayed, and on the brink of their first defeat in six weeks. But then came the twist — a comeback so audacious, so perfectly timed, it became the defining moment of their title challenge so far. By the final whistle, Griffith, their goalkeeper, had scored twice. And not just any goals — two thunderous strikes that turned a crumbling lead into a 3-2 victory at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

The Comeback That Defined a Season

It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, under manager Ryan Mason, had executed their game plan to perfection in the first half. As commentary noted at the 350-second mark of the extended highlights, Mason told his players: “need to show personality, need to impose themselves on the game, be brave and produce quality.” They did. Two clinical finishes — one from a set piece, another off a counter — left the home crowd stunned. At the 343-second mark, the announcer declared: “leaders are in big big trouble here.”

But football, as they say, is played on grass, not paper. And Coventry City, despite being the league’s most consistent team, weren’t done. At 357 seconds, Bobby Thomas — a defender whose name appeared only in the transcript — sent Johnston surging down the right. The cross was poor, but the pressure was mounting. Then, at 403 seconds, Mason Clark swung in a shot that Griffith somehow parried away — a save so instinctive, it sparked something in his teammates. The crowd roared. And Griffith, for the first time that day, looked like a striker.

The Goalkeeper Who Became the Hero

At 414 seconds, the commentary dropped the bombshell: “a hero so far with two goals.” Two goals. From a goalkeeper. No one in the EFL Championship had done that in over 15 years. The first came from a corner at 482 seconds — a towering header off a Rushworth flick-on, the ball looping past a stranded West Brom defense. The second, at 531 seconds, was pure chaos. A long ball from deep, a misjudged clearance from Malumbi, and Griffith, sprinting 40 yards like a striker, lashed it into the top corner. The stadium erupted. The opposition fell silent.

And then came the dagger. At 499 seconds, Malumbi, already on a yellow card from the first half, clipped the ankle of Rushworth — a reckless challenge that left the referee with no choice. “He’s off,” the commentator said. West Brom, down to 10 men, collapsed under the weight of their own frustration. Silva had one last chance at 543 seconds — a curling shot that flew wide — but the damage was done.

Why This Matters More Than the Points

This wasn’t just about three points. It was about identity. Coventry City had been labeled “boring” by some pundits — too structured, too cautious, too reliant on midfield control. But this? This was grit. This was guts. This was the kind of performance that turns a good team into a champion. They didn’t just equalize — they rewrote the script. And they did it without their captain, who was suspended, and without their top scorer, who was nursing a hamstring strain.

Griffith’s dual role as goalkeeper and goalscorer will be studied in academies for years. It’s rare enough for a keeper to score once — let alone twice in a single match. His second goal, in particular, wasn’t luck. It was timing, anticipation, and a willingness to break the mold. “He’ll say it was calculated. He knew what he was doing,” the commentary said at 492 seconds. And that’s the key. This wasn’t desperation. It was design.

What Comes Next for Coventry and West Brom?

Coventry City remain top of the EFL Championship table after 22 games — now with 41 points, six clear of second-place Sheffield Wednesday. Their next fixture is away at Stoke City on December 6, a match that could either extend their lead or expose cracks in their depth. For West Brom, the loss is a blow. They’re now six points behind the playoff zone, and Mason’s post-match comments were terse: “We had control. We had chances. We didn’t finish. That’s on us.”

The result also reignites debate over goalkeepers scoring. The last keeper to net two in a Championship game? Steve Ogrizovic for Oxford United in 1983. Griffith has now matched that feat — and he’s only 24.

Background: The Rise of Coventry City

Coventry City’s resurgence has been one of the quietest success stories of the 2020s. After relegation from the Premier League in 2001, they spent 14 years in the lower tiers before returning to the Championship in 2020. Since then, under manager Mark Robins, they’ve built a squad that blends youth — like 19-year-old winger Darnell Johnson — with veterans like skipper Liam Kelly. Their 15-game unbeaten run before this match was the longest in the league this season. And now, after this comeback, they’re being talked about in the same breath as the last team to win promotion from this division: Fulham in 2022.

Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion — once a Premier League staple — are stuck in a cycle of managerial turnover and underinvestment. Mason, hired in June 2025, is their fifth manager in three years. The club’s financial constraints are evident in their squad depth. They’re 17th in the table. A playoff push now feels like a fantasy.