Sunderland struck late to beat host Coventry 2-1 on Friday in the first leg of the Championship semifinal playoffs, boosting their hopes for a return to the Premier League.
Goals from Wilson Isidor in the 68th minute and Eliezer Mayenda two minutes from time – either side of a Milan van Ewijk counter for Coventry – put Sunderland in the driving seat ahead of the return leg at their own Stadium of Light on Tuesday.
The northeastern side is seeking promotion from England’s second tier and a return to the Premier League for the first time since being relegated in 2017. The winner of the tie will play either Sheffield United or Bristol City at Wembley on May 24.
Sheffield United won the first leg against Bristol City 3-0 on Thursday, and the teams face off again at Bramall Lane on Monday.
In a match that saw both teams create chances, it was Sunderland who capitalized on their opportunities. After a goalless first half, Wilson Isidor broke the deadlock with a well-placed shot following a pass from Enzo Le Fee. Isidor's goal marked the end of his goal drought, which had been a concern for Sunderland fans.
Sunderland's defense, anchored by Dan Ballard, held strong against a persistent Coventry attack. Ballard, who received a rating of 9/10 and was named Man of the Match, excelled at clearing Coventry’s set pieces and thwarting their attempts to equalize.
“I thought we were solid at the back, and Dan was outstanding,” said Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray. “We knew Coventry would come at us, but we held our nerve and took our chances when they came.”
Coventry managed to equalize through Milan van Ewijk, who found the back of the net in the 77th minute, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. However, their joy was short-lived as Eliezer Mayenda scored the winner just two minutes later, capitalizing on a defensive error that left Coventry exposed.
Mayenda's performance was crucial, as he not only scored the decisive goal but also worked tirelessly throughout the match. He received a rating of 8/10 for his efforts and was praised for his selfless play. “I just tried to do my best for the team,” Mayenda said after the match. “We have a strong belief that we can go all the way.”
Sunderland's midfield was also instrumental in their victory, with Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham both receiving ratings of 8/10. Neil's ability to protect the back four and Bellingham's tireless running helped to keep Coventry at bay.
“The midfield worked hard to disrupt Coventry’s rhythm,” Mowbray added. “They were everywhere, and that’s what we needed in a game like this.”
On the other side, Coventry's defense struggled to contain Sunderland's attacking threats. Despite van Ewijk's equalizing goal, the team failed to maintain their composure in the dying minutes of the match.
“We had our chances, but we didn’t take them,” said Coventry manager Mark Robins. “We need to regroup and come back stronger in the second leg.”
Looking ahead, Sunderland will be eager to secure their place in the final with a strong performance at home. The return leg at the Stadium of Light promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Sunderland fans hoping to witness their team take a step closer to Premier League football.
As for Coventry, they’ll need to shake off the disappointment and find a way to overturn the deficit if they want to keep their promotion hopes alive.
With everything still to play for, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion to this playoff tie.
