Sunderland Denied Late On With Home Draw

11/11/2024 14:04 Share

Sunderland remain top of the EFL Championship on goal difference despite having to settle for a point for a third successive game at home to Coventry City.

The Bristol Street Motors-backed side returned to the Stadium of Light seeking a return to winning ways after goalless draws at both Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End in the previous two games.

Whilst Coventry arrived at the Stadium of Light towards the lower reaches of the table, the Sky Blues were keen to prove a point after dismissing manager Mark Robins but Sunderland started brighter to put the visitors under pressure without managing to find a way past ‘keeper Bradley Collins.

Pressure on the Coventry goal finally paid off shortly after the quarter hour mark when Romain Bundle powered his way towards the byline on the left-hand side before crossing the ball for Wilson Isidor to hit a volley that looped over the ‘keeper into the net.

Coventry spurned a half-chance to equalise before Sunderland went two goals clear, with Mundle once again involved as he laid the ball off to Dennis Cirkin in his own half.

The Irishman charged forward into the Coventry half before firing in a shot that flew beyond the despairing dive of Collins to make it 2-0.

Sunderland were well on top at the break but Coventry came out fighting in the second half with a close range effort from Haji Wright beating Simon Moore and nestling in the corner.

Moore then did well to tip a headed effort over the bar and Sunderland missed the chance to add a third before Coventry grabbed a point five minutes from the end.

Substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto sent over a teasing cross from the left and Jack Rudoni – who had set up the first goal – was the man who got on the end to send a header back across Moore and into the net.

The draw left Sunderland two points clear at the top before victory in the Sheffield derby for Sheffield United saw them move level at the top – albeit with a worse goal difference.

Sunderland will return to action after the international break with a trip to London to face Millwall.