Sunderland AFC 0-3 Coventry City
Sunderland AFC were defeated by Coventry City at the Stadium of Light in Michael Beale’s first game as Head Coach.
After an evenly contested opening 45 minutes, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto opened the scoring on Wearside to give Mark Robins’ side the lead on the stroke of half time.
The Black Cats fought back and spurned several chances following the restart, but Coventry made no such error and Callum O’Hare doubled their lead.
Kasey Palmer added a third to seal the points with 20 minutes remaining and the Lads were dealt a further blow late on, as Niall Huggins was stretchered off.
Alongside Luis Hemir, Alex Pritchard missed out due illness and the midfielder’s absence saw Jobe recalled to the starting XI.
Sunderland made a bright start and they should have led with 20 minutes played, but Abdoullah Ba blazed over the top with the goal at his mercy.
The Black Cats were almost left to rue that missed opportunity soon after, but Anthony Patterson produced an excellent double save to deny the Haji Wright and O’Hare.
Both sides enjoyed a share of the possession in the opening period without really threatening, but the Sky Blues edged in front on half time when Sakamoto bundled home.
The Lads responded well and launched into an attack on the City backline, as openings were spurned by Jack Clarke and Jobe.
Patrick Roberts was the felled in the box after dancing through the middle, but the referee adjudged Bobby Thomas’ challenge to be a fair one and play continued.
The visitors struck for a second time with 66 minutes played, as O’Hare’s precise finish found the top corner.
Palmer made it three with 20 minutes remaining after Patterson spilled the initial cross, with Huggins stretchered off in the final stages to conclude a disappointing afternoon.
Sunderland AFC: Patterson, Huggins (Seelt 84), O'Nien, Ballard, Hume, Neil, Ekwah (Aouchiche 71), Jobe, Roberts, Ba (Mayenda 71), Clarke.
Subs not used: Bishop, Triantis, Rigg, Dack, Rusyn, Burstow.
Coventry City: Collins, van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell, Sheaf (Eccles, 42), O'Hare, Allen, Sakamoto, Simms, Wright.
Subs not used: Wilson, Banks, McFadzean, Dasilva, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Ayari, Palmer, Godden.