With just one defeat from 15 home H2Hs against Sunderland prior to today, the history books would suggest Coventry were well-placed to follow up their back-to-back Championship victories.
The Sky Blues were fortunate not to fall behind early on though, as Sunderland started on the front foot and rattled the crossbar inside the opening ten minutes when Danny Batth headed against the woodwork.
Sunderland were left rueing that missed opportunity too when Luke McNally did the heavy lifting and freed Viktor Gyökeres who kept his cool to square for Jamie Allen to fire Coventry into a half-time lead that was almost doubled just moments later when Gyökeres nearly got himself on the scoresheet.
Turning the tide on a half-time disadvantage was never going to be easy against a Coventry side who Sunderland haven’t beaten here since 2007.
Amad Diallo was doing his level best to forge a way back into the game for Sunderland, but as he worked himself a yard from the edge of the area, his stinging drive was well stopped by Ben Wilson in the Coventry goal.
Wilson’s goal was coming under increased threat and Trai Hume was the next Sunderland man to try his luck, heading goalwards from a corner but again, Wilson was equal to his effort to tip it over the bar.
The Black Cats’ best chance undoubtedly fell to Patrick Roberts, but despite finding himself in acres of space from Amad’s cut-back, he couldn’t divert his effort goalwards.
There was a late goal in the club’s opening day clash, and there was another here, with Gyökeres placing the game beyond doubt in the closing minutes to ensure Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray slumped to just a fourth defeat in 15 managerial clashes against Coventry, somewhat denting his side’s play-off aspirations.
As for Coventry, it’s now three successive league wins despite Amad’s late consolation strike, with their play-off charge gathering momentum at an opportune time.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jamie Allen (Coventry City)