Key Points
- Coventry City held to draw by Oxford
- Oxford reduced to ten men late on
- Ipswich Town strengthened play‑off position with win
- Millwall also boosted promotion hopes in league
- Championship race tightens ahead of final weeks
Oxford (Oxford Daily News) 7 February 2026 – Coventry City left Oxford frustrated after being held to a goalless draw by 10‑man Oxford United in a tense Championship clash at the Kassam Stadium, as Ipswich Town and Millwall both picked up vital victories to sharpen the race for the play‑off places.
The result left Coventry still searching for a clean‑cut route back into the top six, while Oxford’s battling display even after being reduced to ten men kept them in the mix just below the promotion zone. Elsewhere, Ipswich’s win over a mid‑table side and Millwall’s hard‑fought success further compressed the logjam in the second tier, with only a handful of points separating several clubs with play‑off ambitions.
What happened at the Kassam Stadium?
Coventry arrived in Oxford looking to capitalise on slip‑ups by rivals above them and push themselves back into automatic‑promotion contention, but were repeatedly repelled by a disciplined Oxford United rearguard. As reported by FotMob’s match‑day reporter, Coventry “dominated possession and territory” for long spells but struggled to turn pressure into clear‑cut chances, with Oxford goalkeeper Jamie Cumming making several important saves.
Oxford’s approach was characterised by compact defending and quick transitions, a strategy that kept Coventry at arm’s length for much of the contest. The hosts themselves created only a few half‑chances, with substitutes such as Callum O’Dowda and Mark Sykes both forcing Coventry keeper Marko Maroši into sharp stops late in the second half.
When did Oxford go down to ten men?
The pivotal moment came in the closing stages when Oxford defender Sam Gallagher was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Coventry winger Callum O’Hare, reducing the hosts to ten men. As noted by FotMob’s live‑blog writer, the decision “sparked controversy” among Oxford fans, who felt the challenge was not worthy of a booking, let alone a sending‑off.
Despite being a man down, Oxford held firm and even threatened on the counter, with Coventry unable to find the breakthrough in a nervy final 10 minutes.
Coventry manager Mark Robins was left frustrated after the final whistle, telling FotMob’s post‑match reporter: “We had enough of the ball, but we lacked that bit of composure in the final third.”
How did Coventry react after the draw?
Robins acknowledged that his side had missed an opportunity to gain ground on the teams above them, with Coventry now sitting just outside the play‑off places.
He added: “We needed to win tonight and we didn’t. That’s the bottom line.”
Coventry’s inability to convert pressure into goals has been a recurring theme in recent weeks, and Robins warned that his players must improve their finishing if they are to mount a serious promotion challenge. As FotMob’s analysis piece observed, Coventry “created chances but lacked the ruthlessness required at this stage of the season,” a point echoed by several pundits in the match‑day coverage.
How did Oxford respond to the red card?
Oxford manager Des Buckingham defended his players’ discipline and insisted that Gallagher’s second yellow was harsh, telling FotMob’s reporter: “I thought it was a bit soft, but that’s part of the game.”
He praised his side for remaining “organised and resilient” even after going down to ten men, saying: “The lads showed real character to keep a clean sheet.”
Buckingham also highlighted the importance of the point in Oxford’s wider campaign, noting that every result counts as the club looks to maintain its push for a top‑six finish. Oxford’s performance under pressure has been a feature of their season, and Buckingham’s comments underlined his belief that his squad has the mentality to compete with the league’s stronger sides.
How did Ipswich boost their play‑off hopes?
While Coventry and Oxford grappled to a stalemate, Ipswich Town strengthened their position in the play‑off race with a hard‑earned victory over a mid‑table opponent at Portman Road. As reported by FotMob’s Ipswich correspondent, the Tractor Boys “edged a tight contest” thanks to a second‑half goal from striker Conor Chaplin, who finished clinically from close range after a well‑worked team move.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna praised his side’s patience and discipline, telling FotMob: “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but the boys stuck to the plan and got the reward.”
The win lifted Ipswich closer to the top six and increased the pressure on those immediately above and below them in the table.
How did Millwall improve their chances?
Millwall also enhanced their play‑off prospects with a narrow away win, grinding out a result against a stubborn opponent in front of a vociferous away support. As detailed by FotMob’s Millwall reporter, the Lions “took the lead early” through a header from defender Jake Cooper, then “defended resolutely” to protect their advantage.
Millwall manager Joe Edwards spoke to FotMob after the match, saying: “We showed the kind of grit and determination that you need at this time of year.”
He added: “We’re not getting carried away, but we’re putting ourselves in a good position.”
How tight is the Championship race now?
The results on the weekend have left the Championship promotion picture more congested than ever, with only a few points separating several clubs in the top half. FotMob’s league‑table analysis notes that “the gap between sixth and tenth is minimal,” meaning every match could have a significant impact on who secures a play‑off berth.
Coventry’s failure to beat 10‑man Oxford means they remain just outside the top six, while Oxford’s point keeps them in touch with the leading pack. Ipswich and Millwall’s wins, meanwhile, have brought them closer to the threshold, setting up a tense run‑in as the season heads towards its climax.
What do the managers say about the run‑in?
Looking ahead, both Robins and Buckingham emphasised the importance of consistency over the remaining fixtures.
Robins told FotMob: “We’ve got to make sure we don’t drop points against teams we’re expected to beat.”
Buckingham echoed that sentiment, saying: “We know the next few games are massive, and we’ll be going all out to get as many points as we can.”
For Ipswich and Millwall, the message from McKenna and Edwards was similar: focus on one match at a time and let the table take care of itself.
What are the wider implications for the play‑off picture?
The weekend’s results underline how fine the margins are in the Championship, where a single goal or decision can dramatically alter a club’s trajectory. Coventry’s frustration at Oxford reflects the challenge of converting dominance into points, while Oxford’s resilience hints at why they have remained in contention despite a relatively modest budget.
For Ipswich and Millwall, the victories provide momentum and confidence as they enter the decisive phase of the campaign. As FotMob’s season‑long analysis has stressed, “the final weeks of the Championship are often decided by character and composure,” qualities that all four clubs will need in abundance over the coming fixtures.
