Sunderland away

 Sunderland v COVENTRY CITY

Sunday 31st July 2022
Stadium of Light 40,851

When I saw the line up Sunday morning with 3 centre backs I guessed it would be a wing back system with Jake Bidwell on the left and Josh Eccles on the right. I knew it wouldn't really be a wing back system as neither are that way minded. Bidwell getting the nod ahead of the new Irish loanee Tayo Adaramola from Crystal Palace, that was understandable as Tayo hasn't had many pre season minutes and little time in training ahead of the trip to Sunderland. Eccles in the starting line up ahead of Fankaty Dabo, Mark Robins has shown some trust in Eccles in that position. The substitutes Wilson (GK), Doyle, Rose, Dabo, Palmer, Walker and Tavares.

Adi Viveash passed on some tactical instruction to Jonathan Panzo during the warm up and he looked a little uncertain playing out from early on. Sunderland had the best of possession early on and Stewart had both Hyam and McFadzean backtracking before his shot was easily saved by Moore. Breakthrough came in the 12th minute when Pritchard in midfield played crossfield ball out to the right to Gooch who easily beat Bidwell who waved a leg to give Gooch room to cross to the far post for Clarke to leap above Eccles with Moore flapping to head the ball into the back of net. 1-0 Sunderland.
Gyokeres showed his class and strength when he turned on the ball and beat two before the ran away from him, Sunderland realised his threat when up picked up the balland nutmegged Ballard who tried to amend his frustration by pulling him back and conceding a free kick just outside the box. Hamer's free kick looked to be on target but it was well blocked. Hamer then picked up a yellow card for a daft trip on the half way line. The resulting free kick was a long ball over the top for Stewart but it was just over him and safely in Moore's hands. Sunderland were still getting the better of Coventry when they were on the counter attack Pritchard on the right with a cross to Clarke who met it on the half volley forcing a save from Moore who held it quite comfortably. Godden intercepted a Sunderland throw and played a long ball down the left for Gyokeres to chase onto who cut inside in the box and shooting wide, he expected to do better with that opportunity which have been rare. Gyokeres again got the better of Ballard who again conceded a free kick in a dangerous position which came to nothing. Hamer played a round the corner pass to Sheaf who played on long ball with the outside of the foot to Bidwell on the left who played a cross come shot across the face of goal. Panzo was found in acres of space 30 yards out shoots and Paterson managed to get fingertips to it to hit the bar, the rebound came too quick for Godden who couldn't get underneath it. But Godden was quick to intercept a misplaced pass to put Gyokeres through but he was tackled in the box, he won the ball back playing it back to Allen who dribbles into the box and plays the ball to Eccles who's cross was poor. In first half stoppage time Bidwell chasing a lost ball got his foot to it to find Gyokeres who managed to get to the byline but couldn't find anyone in the box.
It was a very slow tempo from the Sky Blues who had a few unforced errors. The lack of wing backs is telling with Sunderland having the better of possession, both Godden and Gyokeres look threatening going forward.

Coventry came out more livelier at the start of the second half. Some intricate passing between Gyokeres, Godden and Allen, a little too intricate as the ball was intercepted and Sunderland again went on the counter, Clarke unable to get onto the ball, the result of the move was a shot put wide by Embleton. Eccles did get the beating of Clarke on the right but was pulled back and awarded a free kick. Bidwells free kick was headed away by the Sunderland defence. Sunderland opted to play out from the back and Hamer was quick with a tackle which found its way nicely to Godden in the box who shot wide, of all the people you'd want in that position it would be Godden, he was disappointed by his effort. Evans received a yellow card in the 55th minute when he caught Hamer late.
Panzo, who began to look more comfortable as the game went on, made an interception and played it to Gyokeres on the left who passed to Sheaf in the box but he couldn't get the ball out of his feet.
58th Sunderland play a long ball headed on by Embleton to Stewart who's shot has to be tipped over the bar for a corner by Moore. In the 61st minute both teams made substitutions Sunderland bringing on O'Nien for Embleton and Coventry giving Karen Palmer his debut in place of Allen. It didn't take Palmer long to be involved as he had a long range shot over the bar. In the 73rd minute Coventry made a triple substitution Tavares replacing McFadzean, Dabo on for Eccles and Walker on for Godden. With those changes City became more attacking playing 4 at the back and 3 up front which sustained more pressure, it began to look like it would only be matter of time before they equalise Sunderland had 12 minutes to hold onto their lead on the their return to the Championship. They brought on fresh legs to help Roberts replacing Pritchard.
Hamer had a speculative effort but it was straight at Paterson. The wave of attacks kept coming Dabo beating his man and putting in a cross which Paterson held on to to eat up time. In the 84th minute the inevitable happened Panzo finding Gyokeres who turned inside and shot from the edge of the D, a moment of class from the big Swede, 1-1. City pushed for a winner but none was forthcoming they had to settle for a point on the road.

Moore     6
Eccles  6 > Dabo 6.2
Hyam 6.5
McFadzean  6.3 > Tavares 6
Panzo 6.7
Bidwell 6.1
Hamer 6.2
Sheaf 6.5
Allen  6.2 > Palmer 6.2
Godden 6.3 > Walker 6.2
Gyokeres 6.9