Mayenda stuns Sky Blues with late winner

Eliezer Mayenda scored a late winner as Sunderland ended a miserable run of form to edge out Coventry in the first leg of the Championship playoffs tonight.

Regis Le Bris’ side had lost their last five games coming into the contest but their gameplan of sitting deep and catching the hosts on the counter worked perfectly as the Wearsiders claimed a 2-1 lead to take back to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night.

Wilson Isidor put Sunderland in front after 68 minutes only for Jack Rudoni to head Coventry level just over a minute later.

But a dreadful error from Coventry right-back Milan van Ewijk with two minutes to go enabled Mayenda to run clear and he showed admirable cool to round Ben Wilson and slot into the empty net.

Milan van Ewijk plays a blind pass straight into Sunderland’s path! 😱 pic.twitter.com/hI1CPXwae7

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 9, 2025

Coventry had nearly 75 per cent possession but lacked guile going forward, relentlessly tossing crosses and free-kicks into the Sunderland box which were repeatedly headed clear by the outstanding Dan Ballard.

The Sky Blues bossed the first half with Sunderland offering little other than the odd break from Mayenda.

But Anthony Patterson in the away goal was rarely threatened.

Isidor’s sharp finish puts Sunderland in front

Sunderland took the lead midway through the second half with a trademark attack. Captain Dan Neil carried the ball away from his own penalty area before slipping a pass into the feet of Enzo Le Fee. The on-loan Roma midfielder played a delightful ball into Isidor and he cut in, took a touch and fired past Wilson.

The away celebrations were wild but short-lived as Coventry levelled almost immediately.

Van Ewijk escaped down the right and his cross was inch-perfect for Rudoni to run on to and nod powerfully past Patterson.

Patrick Roberts fired a shot wide before Sunderland grabbed their second after Van Ewijk’s backpass fell well short of Wilson and Mayenda made no mistake.