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’ aspect 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 Mild on Tuesday evening.
Wilson Isidor put Sunderland in entrance after 68 minutes just for Jack Rudoni to move 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 move 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 have been repeatedly headed clear by the excellent Dan Ballard.
The Sky Blues bossed the primary half with Sunderland providing little apart from the odd break from Mayenda.
However Anthony Patterson within the away objective was not often threatened.
Isidor’s sharp end places Sunderland in entrance
Sunderland took the lead halfway by the second half with a trademark assault. Captain Dan Neil carried the ball away from his personal penalty space earlier than slipping a move into the toes of Enzo Le Price. The on-loan Roma midfielder performed a pleasant ball into Isidor and he minimize in, took a contact and fired previous Wilson.
The away celebrations have been wild however short-lived as Coventry levelled virtually instantly.
Van Ewijk escaped down the suitable and his cross was inch-perfect for Rudoni to run on to and nod powerfully previous Patterson.
Patrick Roberts fired a shot huge earlier than Sunderland grabbed their second after Van Ewijk’s backpass fell effectively in need of Wilson and Mayenda made no mistake.
