Coventry’s 3-1 win survives Sunderland’s statistical edge

Coventry beat Sunderland 3-1 in the Premier League, answering Sunderland’s greater possession, shot count and expected-goals figure with four shots on goal and three goals. The result moved Coventry from 6 points before the match to 9 after it, while Sunderland stayed on 5.

Sakamoto and Awoniyi establish the lead

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored Coventry’s opener in the 17th minute, making it 1-0. Taiwo Awoniyi doubled the advantage in the 37th minute for a 2-0 half-time score.

Jack Rudoni made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute, assisted by Victor Torp. Sunderland responded in the 67th minute when Enzo Le Fée scored a penalty to make it 3-1, the final goal of the match.

Sunderland controlled possession but Coventry finished better

Sunderland had 57% possession, 438 total passes and 17 shots, compared with Coventry’s 43%, 339 passes and 12 shots. Sunderland also led expected goals, 1.72 to 0.79, but Coventry had four shots on goal to Sunderland’s two.

Torp was booked in the seventh minute and Sakamoto in the 55th. Omar Alderete received a yellow card and then a red card in the 90th minute, making three yellow-card events in the match.

Coventry widen the gap over Sunderland

Coventry went into the game #19 on 6 points, one point ahead of #20 Sunderland on 5. After the result, Coventry are provisionally #13 on 9 points and Sunderland remain provisionally #20 on 5, leaving Coventry 4 points ahead. Coventry entered after two losses, while Sunderland’s most recent result was a draw.