By Sohaib Shams
Coventry City secured a vital 3-1 victory over Sunderland at the CBS Arena, lifting themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone and leaving the Black Cats rooted to the bottom of the table.
First-half goals
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto opened the scoring in the 17th minute with his first Premier League goal, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up. Taiwo Awoniyi doubled the lead eight minutes before half-time, netting his first league goal for Coventry after another Sunderland error.
Second-half drama
Jack Rudoni extended the advantage early in the second half, his shot deflecting off Omar Alderete. Sunderland pulled one back through Enzo Le Fee's penalty in the 67th minute after a handball by Ethan Pinnock, but their hopes faded as Alderete received a second yellow card in stoppage time.
The win provides relief for manager Frank Lampard after a 1-0 home defeat to Fulham the previous week. Sunderland have now taken just one Premier League point since their Europa League campaign began in mid-September.
