Sunderland seal smash and grab win at Coventry in semi-final first leg | OneFootball

Sunderland ripped up the form book to seal a smash and grab 2-1 win against Coventry in the first leg of their Championship playoff semi-final at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Scorers: Rudoni 70'; Isidor 68', Mayenda 88'

Coventry dominated the first half, with Régis Le Bris setting his Black Cats side up to defend and counter almost from the first whistle.

Their approach worked with the Sky Blues having very few clear cut chances despite having nearly all of the ball.

Little changed after the break, but the game finally picked up with a frantic final quarter, and it was Sunderland who scored on the break.

Dan Neil got the ball to Enzo Le Fée quickly, and the midfielder glided up the pitch before slipping in Wilson Isidor. For a striker who had not scored in near-three months, his finish past Ben Wilson was unnerving when put through on goal.

His joy would be short-lived with the lead lasting just 110 seconds as Jack Rudoni rose to power a brilliant header past Anthony Patterson from Milan van Ewijk's cross.

Both sides went for the win, with the visitors happier with the draw, but they would be gifted the win from the man who helped cut out their lead.

Van Ewijk's back pass was under hit, allowing Eliezer Mayenda to seize the ball, round Wilson and slot home.

The two sides will meet again on Tuesday, with Frank Lampard hoping for another famous semi-final comeback.

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