Amad Diallo scored a cracker as Sunderland's hopes of finishing in the English Championship play-off spots took a major hit.
Tony Mowbray's men are now without a win in three games, picking up just one point in that process, following defeat to fellow top six chasers Coventry City. The victory brings the hosts to within one point of the Black Cats, having played one game less and just two points off Luton Town in sixth spot.
Former Celtic loanee Patrick Roberts also missed a big chance to level with the score at 1-0. Excellent work from former Rangers loanee Diallo to skip past his man and fire a cross into the box caused havoc but when the ball landed at the feet of the Hoops favourite he rushed his effort and fired wide when he really should have done much better. You could see the frustration on his face as he buried his face in his hands.
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15 minutes later Viktor Gyokeres doubled Coventry's advantage following Jamie Allen's opener to create a two-goal cushion - but Diallo scored a stunner to set up a big finish as he took a touch and curled the ball into the top corner beyond Ben Wilson in the fourth minute of six added-on.
However, it didn't prove enough for Sunderland who now sit eighth in the table and could drop further depending on the results later today in the other fixtures. They now face a massive five-game run which will have a key say on their season.
They start with home game with Stoke City before a trip to face Norwich City. It's then back to back outings at the Stadium of Light against Sheffield United and Luton Town before a trip to league leaders Burnley.
Four of the five games in that run is with direct rivals all bidding to end the season in the automatic promotion or play-off places in a bid to reach the English Premier League.
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