Sunderland were back in Premier League action against Coventry City on Saturday afternoon

Sunderland’s Premier League status is in genuine period and of that there now be no doubt.

This game represented a major opportunity to climb away from the foot of the table but instead the Black Cats folded in an insipid first fifty minutes. The defensive errors that have plagued their season so far were back on show but more concerning was the lack of intensity from the start.

Coventry City looked hungrier and sharper and though their cause was aided by two deflections on their way to a 3-0 lead, they looked like a side ready for the fight in a way that Sunderland did not. A late flicker from the visitors in which Enzo Le Fee scored from the spot and Luke O’Nien on numerous occasions went close did little to mask the broader shortcomings.

Though was undeniably badly let down by his players here, the manner of this defeat will inevitably for the first time invite serious discussion about Régis Le Bris’s position as head coach. The Black Cats have in recent weeks looked far off the pace, far too often.

Though the solidity on show a week previous against Leeds United had been a step in the right direction, the warning signs here were there from the off. The visitors looked easy to play through and were struggling to pick up Jack Rudoni in midfield, seemingly a yard off the host's intensity all over the field. It didn't lead to too many chances, but the warning signs were there as Roefs had to be alert early on to race off his line and make a block from Awoniyi after Hume's attempted clearance fell for the striker.

Too often this season Sunderland have been the architects of their own downfall and so it proved again here, even if the move that led to the opener was sparked by an excellent switch of play from goalkeeper Rushworth. There nevertheless looked to be little threat when van Ewijk crossed to the edge of the box, but Hume's clearance struck O'Nien and bounced kindly for Sakamoto who left Roefs with no chance with a fine first-time finish into the bottom corner.

Despite their poor start Sunderland actually had a golden opportunity to level just minutes later, Xhaka sliding in Brobbey and though the flag stayed down the striker could only drag his efofrt wide of the far post. Poor finishing and slack defending: the story of Sunderland's alarming season so far.

Roefs continued to impress in claiming set pieces and in pushing a free kick from Torp wide of the post, but the hosts were well on top. Again Sunderland invited pressure when Rigg played O'Nien into trouble, the defender hesitating on the ball and inviting Awoniyi o challenge. The striker pinched the ball and drove into the box, his effort taking a deflection off Alderete that took it past Roefs.

Sunderland's body language was poor as frustration kicked in, the goals that they had conceded very poor but the general casualness in their play arguably even more alarming given the circumstances.

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The Black Cats started the second half with a flicker of added intensity but the game was all but up in a matter of minutes, Coventry pinching possession and again pouring forward. Rudoni took aim from the edge of the area and Alderete dangled out a boot, the deflecting leaving Roefs once again rooted to the spot.

Le Bris arguably should have turned to his bench at the interval and had no choice but to do so now, and Talbi should have done better when fellow substitute Isidor set him through on goal. Brobbey was waiting at the back post but seemingly caught in two minds, the winger slid his effort beyond the far post. Sunderland nevertheless had a lifelong not long after, Pinnock handling the ball as he blocked O’Nien’s effort from a long ball forward. The VAR check for handball was lengthy but ultimately went in Sunderland’s favour, and Le Fee sent Rushworth the wrong way with an emphatic effort.

Sunderland did threaten in the latter stages, Brobbey flicking a cross from Xhaka over the bar and O’Nien drawing a couple of superb blocks from the Coventry defence as they exerted pressure on the host’s penalty area. They were unable to find their way through, however, and there was no arguing with the final result. There was one final blow for the Black Cats before the final whistle, Omar Alderete shown a second yellow after two fouls in a matter of minutes. That seemed to sum up a side that has fallen a long way from the standards they sat last season, and are in real trouble as a result.