Coventry's three goals came from chances barely above their usual

Sunderland had more of the ball and the better openings, but a red card and Coventry's finishing gave the home side a 3-1 win.

Coventry's three goals came from chances that were, by the numbers, close to what they usually create, while Sunderland had the far better openings and still lost. Sunderland also finished the match with a player sent off, which changes how the rest of the figures should be read. Expected goals, a measure that scores each shot by how often shots from that position tend to become goals, put Coventry's threat at 0.79 for the match, against a usual 0.77 at home.

Coventry's goals came from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto in the 17th minute, Taiwo Awoniyi in the 37th and Jack Rudoni in the 52nd, the last one set up by Victor Torp. Coventry usually score 0.8 goals in a home game, so three in one afternoon is a much bigger return than their chances suggested. Rudoni was the difference, and his rating of 8.2 reflects a goal and two key passes that led to chances for team-mates.

Sunderland had 57% of the ball, well above the 48.6% they usually keep in away games, and they took 17 shots, against a usual 11.9. Twelve of those came from inside the penalty area, and their expected goals of 1.74 sat well above their away average of 0.86 and the league figure of 1.4 per side. Only two of the 17 shots were on target, which is why all that pressure produced a single goal.

Sunderland were awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute after a video check, and Enzo Le Fée scored it four minutes later to make the score 3-1. That was Sunderland's only goal, and it came from the spot rather than from the open play that had given them most of their threat. Coventry's late defensive work held firm enough from there, and the home side never looked likely to hand back the lead.

Coventry let in one goal, well below their usual 1.9 conceded at home, while Sunderland conceded three, more than their away average of 1.8. The gap between the chances each side allowed and the goals each side actually conceded is the story of the afternoon. Coventry's finishing and Sunderland's finishing were, in the end, the difference between the two sides.

Coventry remain 19th in the table with two wins and six points from eight games, the same two wins they have managed at home so far this season. Sunderland sit 20th with one win, two draws and five points from eight away games.

Player of the matchJ. Rudoni1 goal8.2

T. Awoniyi1 goal7.7

T. Sakamoto1 goal7.3

E. Le Fée1 goal6.9