Sunderland 1 Coventry City 1: Story of the match after Viktor Gyokeres’ goal and Jack Clarke opener

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Sunderland were held to a 1-1 draw against Coventry at the Stadium of Light in their opening Championship match of the season.

Alex Neil’s side took the lead in the 12th minute when Lynden Gooch’s cross was headed home by Jack Clarke.

Coventry saw more of the ball and were able to draw level six minutes from time when striker Viktor Gyokeres fired the ball home from the edge of the box.

Sunderland will now prepare for next weekend’s trip to Bristol City.

Here’s how the game played out:

RECAP: Sunderland 1 (Clarke, 12) Coventry 1 (Gyokeres, 84)

Key Events

  • Sunderland XI to play Coventry: Patterson, Gooch, Ballard, Batth, Cirkin, Evans, Neil, Embleton (O’Nien, 61), Pritchard (Roberts, 79), Clarke, Stewart
  • Subs: Bass, Wright, Alese, Hume, O’Nien, Roberts, Simms
  • Coventry XI: Moore, Hyam, McFadzean (Tavares, 73), Panzo, Eccles (Dabo, 73), Sheaf, Hamer, Bidwell, Allen (Palmer, 61), Godden (Walker, 73), Gyokeres
  • Subs: Wilson, Doyle, Rose, Dabo, Palmer, Tavares, Walker

12’ GOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!!! CLARKE!!!

What a noise!

Great work from Gooch on the right who beat Bidwell and clipped a cross into the box.

Clarke arrived in the box from the opposite flank and headed home.

1-0 Sunderland!

8’ Embleton brought down

Sunderland have created a few half chances so far.

Pritchard looked to release Embleton there but the latter was clipped by Panzo as he ran for the loose ball.

Clarke also sent in a low cross from the left which was blocked.

Great atmosphere here!

Sunderland have registered the first effort on target but Stewart’s low shot lacked power and was comfortably saved by Moore.

2’ How Sunderland have started

What to make of those sides

It looks like Sunderland will start in a 4-2-3-1 system.

Danny Batth starts ahead of Bailey Wright at the back, with Daniel Ballard set to make his competitive debut in defence.

Elliot Embleton also starts ahead of Patrick Roberts, who is joined on the bench by new signings Aji Alese and Ellis Simms.

A blow for Coventry as Callum O’Hare misses out with a hamstring injury.

The visitors will line up in a 3-5-2 formation.

Former Sunderland defender Callum Doyle is on the bench for the Sky Blues.

Doyle on the bench for Coventry