Twenty-five years in the waiting - Coventry's nightmare top-flight return

 

Coventry 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 - the latest a 5-0 thrashing at home to Brighton - 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.