Coventry out of bottom three after win over struggling Sunderland

Chris McKenna
BBC Sport journalist

Frank Lampard's Coventry City have lifted themselves out of relegation zone by beating struggling Sunderland, who remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Taiwo Awoniyi and Jack Rudoni scored to secure the Sky Blues just their third league win of the season, meaning Enzo Le Fee's second-half penalty was a mere consolation for the out-of-form Black Cats.

Both sides came into the game occupying the bottom two places in the table with just six goals scored each.

Coventry boss Lampard made four changes from last weekend's defeat by Fulham, including dropping captain Matt Grimes, and it stirred a positive performance from his side.

They were helped by some poor defending from Sunderland as the Black Cats made a mess of a routine cross that saw the ball fall to Sakamoto, and he opened the scoring with a fine finish in the 17th minute from the edge of the area.

Awoniyi then nicked the ball off Sunderland's Luke O'Nien far too easily in the 37th minute before he scored via a deflection after coasting through the visitors' defence and past some weak challenges.

Other than a decent opportunity for Brian Brobbey, which he fired wide, Sunderland were ineffective at the other end in the first half.

Their chances of getting back into the game were realistically ended just seven minutes into the second half when Rudoni's shot deflected off Omar Alderete, who had stuck out a leg to try to block it, and it found the net.

Sunderland's Chemsdine Talbi missed a good chance before the visitors were awarded a penalty after referee Simon Hooper took an age to review a handball by Coventry defender Ethan Pinnock, whose arm was up to block O'Nien's shot.

Le Fee scored the resulting spot-kick in the 67th minute, but there would be no stirring comeback from the Black Cats as they suffered their sixth defeat in nine league games.

Their misery was compounded by Alderete getting sent off in stoppage time for a second bookable offence when he tripped Rudoni.

Coventry analysis: Lampard's team selection pays off

Frank Lampard - post-match interview - Coventry City vs Sunderland

After disappointing defeats by Tottenham and Fulham, Lampard made a bold decision to make four changes including moving his captain to the bench.

He also restored summer signing Awoniyi to the starting line-up for the first time since he was sent off in a 5-0 defeat by Brighton on 13 September.

The changes helped restore some energy to the Sky Blues, but they were also clinical as they scored three goals from four shots on target and an XG of just 0.71.

Two of the goals also had a touch of fortune given that deflections helped take them beyond Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs.

But it was a huge win for Lampard and his side against fellow strugglers, and the manager's team-selection was backed up with an important three points.

Coventry have lost as many games as Sunderland but, crucially, they have three victories under their belt.

Sunderland analysis: Defensive woes continue for sloppy Black Cats

Regis Le Bris - post-match interview - Coventry City vs Sunderland

Last season, Sunderland were renowned for being a well-drilled and organised side, with only Arsenal, Manchester City and Brighton conceding fewer goals.

But Regis le Bris' side have now let in 17 goals in just nine games in this campaign.

That helps explain why they have won just a single league game so far - against Fulham on 30 August.

They definitely miss Dan Ballard in their back line, with the defender out since late September due to a hamstring injury.

But they continually make errors, as proven here with Coventry's first two goals - and centre-back Alderete will now be suspended for next week's clash with Chelsea.

They did at least show some more attacking threat here with 17 attempts on goal and more possession that their opponents, but it was not nearly enough.

Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka looks disappointedGetty Images

Sunderland have struggled defensively this season

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