Sakamoto and Awoniyi strike as Coventry beat Sunderland 3-1 to escape bottom three

Coventry moved out of the Premier League relegation zone by beating Sunderland 3-1 at the CBS Arena on Saturday, leaving the visitors bottom of the table. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Taiwo Awoniyi and Jack Rudoni scored for Frank Lampard's side, according to the Guardian's match report. Enzo Le Fée replied from the penalty spot before Sunderland defender Omar Alderete was sent off in stoppage time.

Watch the highlights:

Sakamoto opened the scoring in the 17th minute with his first Premier League goal. Milan van Ewijk's cross prompted a clearance from Trai Hume that hit fellow Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien, allowing Sakamoto to finish into the far corner. Sunderland had an opportunity to respond six minutes later, but Brian Brobbey shot wide after turning away from Ethan Pinnock.

Awoniyi made it 2-0 eight minutes before half-time, scoring his first league goal for Coventry after another mistake in Sunderland's defence. A pass from Chris Rigg put O'Nien under pressure, and Awoniyi took possession before driving past challenges. His effort took a deflection off Alderete on its way beyond goalkeeper Robin Roefs. Coventry had entered the match having failed to score in five of their previous eight league games.

Rudoni added the third early in the second half, with Alderete again deflecting the shot. Sunderland substitute Chemsdine Talbi then missed a chance before the visitors were awarded a penalty for Pinnock's use of an arm to stop an O'Nien effort. Referee Simon Hooper gave the decision after reviewing replays, and Le Fée sent Carl Rushworth the wrong way in the 67th minute.

Coventry resisted further pressure, with Stephen Mfuni blocking an O'Nien volley during Sunderland's late attacks. Mfuni was playing in place of the injured Bobby Thomas. Alderete's second yellow card completed a difficult afternoon for Sunderland, who have five points from nine league matches and one point from five away games. Their league winless run now stands at seven matches, comprising two draws and five defeats.

The result followed Coventry's 1-0 home loss to Fulham the previous weekend. Lampard stressed afterwards that winning in the Premier League required maximum effort, while Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris said his team needed to improve and regain confidence. Sunderland's league difficulties contrast with four wins from five matches in cup competitions, the Guardian reported.