COVENTRY (4-2-3-1):
Wilson 5; van Ewijk 4, Thomas 6, Kitching 6, Dasilva 6; Grimes 6, SHEAF 6 (Allen 82); Sakamoto 5, Rudoni 6, Wright 4; Thomas-Asante 5 (Mason-Clark 71).
Subs (not used): Collins (gk), Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Binks, Paterson, Simms.
SUNDERLAND (4-4-2):
6 Patterson: Didn’t have a lot to do, but came out to claim crosses effectively when he needed to
9 HUME: Brilliant as he completely marked the dangerous Wright out of the game – didn’t put a foot wrong all night
9 Ballard: Commanded the heart of the penalty area as he made a superb return to the starting line-up – Le Bris’ faith in him was completely justified
8 O’Nien: Was an important part of Sunderland’s collective defensive excellence – dealt with everything that came into the box
8 Cirkin: Did excellently down Sunderland’s left-hand side, shutting off Sakamoto’s supply line into the box
7 Roberts: It wasn’t a night when his tricky wing play came into play, but he worked tirelessly to help protect his defence
7 Neil: Put in a real shift at the heart of midfield – didn’t afford Coventry’s central midfielders any space
7 Bellingham: Had to get the defensive side of his game right, and did – ran himself into the ground for his team
8 Le Fee: Produced a moment of real magic to send Isidor away for the opener and was composed on the ball throughout
8 Mayenda: Kept his composure superbly in the dying minutes to round Wilson and slot home Sunderland’s winner
8 Isidor: Ended his goal drought in style with a clinical curled finish after cutting in from the left-hand side
Subs:
Rigg (for Isidor, 77)
Mepham (for Roberts, 85)
Browne (for Mayenda, 90+3)
(not used): Moore (gk), Seelt, Hjelde, Jones, Samed, Watson.
Man Of The Match: TRAI HUME – All of Sunderland’s defenders were superb, but Hume did particularly well as he completely marked Wright out of the game.
