Coventry win again to see off Mowbray’s Sunderland

Coventry City scored a goal in each half as they made it three straight wins by beating former boss Tony Mowbray’s Sunderland.

Top scorer Gyokeres then struck himself in the 89th minute for his 16th goal of the season when he turned in Matt Godden’s low right-wing cross from close range.

On-loan Manchester United youngster Amad Diallo caused a few very late wobbles when he pulled a goal back with a 94th-minute curler.

But Mark Robins’ City saw it out to edge to within a point of their Championship play-off rivals.

As a test of form, both sides went into the match following meetings with Rotherham, who lost 2-0 at home to Coventry last Saturday, then won 2-1 at home to Sunderland in midweek.

And, for an unchanged City side, that form guide ultimately proved correct, although not without a few anxious moments along the way.

Sunderland have not won an away game against Coventry in 11 attempts since April 1985, the last three of them at the CBS – formerly Ricoh – Arena.

Having made three changes from their midweek defeat, Sunderland made a vibrant start, forcing home keeper Ben Wilson to save from Trai Hume before Danny Batth’s looping header brushed the bar.

But Gyokeres went close when he pounced on a loose pass to gallop clear round Batth, only to blast his right-foot shot over, but the Swedish striker’s involvement was a foretaste of what was to come.

On-loan Burnley defender Luke McNally threaded a pass through the inside-right channel, Gyokeres took it on and timed his square pass superbly for Allen running in to almost effortlessly side-foot home a sweet strike for his seventh goal of the season.

Sunderland remained a threat throughout, had the lion’s share of possession, created more chances and won more corners.

But it was Coventry who had the sting in the tail when Gyokeres netted for the third game running.

Diallo had the last word when he curled home beautifully, but the hosts held on to inflict Sunderland’s second straight defeat.

Who’s next?

Coventry now face successive away games, a rearranged visit to Preston on Tuesday night followed by next Saturday’s trip to Huddersfield, when Sunderland will be at home to former manager Alex Neil’s Stoke City.