Eliezer Mayenda scored a late winner as Sunderland ended a depressing run of type to edge out Coventry within the first leg of the Championship playoffs tonight.
Regis Le Bris’ facet had misplaced their final 5 video games coming into the competition however their gameplan of sitting deep and catching the hosts on the counter labored completely because the Wearsiders claimed a 2-1 result in take again to the Stadium of Gentle on Tuesday night time.
Wilson Isidor put Sunderland in entrance after 68 minutes just for Jack Rudoni to go Coventry stage simply over a minute later.
However a dreadful error from Coventry right-back Milan van Ewijk with two minutes to go enabled Mayenda to run clear and he confirmed admirable cool to spherical Ben Wilson and slot into the empty internet.
Milan van Ewijk performs a blind go straight into Sunderland’s path! 😱 pic.twitter.com/hI1CPXwae7
— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) May 9, 2025
Coventry had almost 75 per cent possession however lacked guile going ahead, relentlessly tossing crosses and free-kicks into the Sunderland field which had been repeatedly headed clear by the excellent Dan Ballard.
The Sky Blues bossed the primary half with Sunderland providing little aside from the odd break from Mayenda.
However Anthony Patterson within the away aim was not often threatened.
Isidor’s sharp end places Sunderland in entrance
Sunderland took the lead halfway by way of the second half with a trademark assault. Captain Dan Neil carried the ball away from his personal penalty space earlier than slipping a go into the ft of Enzo Le Payment. The on-loan Roma midfielder performed a pleasant ball into Isidor and he lower in, took a contact and fired previous Wilson.
The away celebrations had been wild however short-lived as Coventry levelled nearly instantly.
Van Ewijk escaped down the precise and his cross was inch-perfect for Rudoni to run on to and nod powerfully previous Patterson.
Patrick Roberts fired a shot broad earlier than Sunderland grabbed their second after Van Ewijk’s backpass fell nicely in need of Wilson and Mayenda made no mistake.
