Coventry climbed out of the relegation zone with a 3-1 win that leaves Sunderland rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s first Premier League goal put Frank Lampard’s side ahead 17 minutes in, Taiwo Awoniyi’s first league goal for Coventry doubled the lead eight minutes before the break and Jack Rudoni sealed victory early in the second half.

Sunderland were offered a little hope when Enzo Le Fée sent Carl Rushworth the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 67th minute, but they grew increasingly frustrated and finished the match with 10 men as Omar Alderete was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time.

Lampard insisted this week it was too early in the season to worry about the table, but this was a much-needed win after last Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Fulham, another side who had arrived at the CBS Arena in the bottom three.

Both of Coventry’s first-half goals came after defensive mix-ups from Sunderland, who may be thriving in cup competitions with four wins from five, but who have only five points from nine Premier League games, and only one point from five on the road this season.

Régis Le Bris has welcomed the challenge of continental football this season, but his side have taken just one Premier League point since their Europa League campaign kicked off in mid-September, with this another afternoon where they will look back with regret at several missed chances.

Coventry had failed to score in five of their eight matches prior to this but took the first real opening that came their way with a little help from the visitors.

Trai Hume’s half-hearted clearance of Milan van Ewijk’s cross struck teammate Luke O’Nien and fell for Sakamoto to arrow a shot into the far corner.

Sunderland should have been level six minutes later but Brian Brobbey dragged his shot wide with the goal gaping after too easily spinning away from Ethan Pinnock.

Coventry were looking much brighter than a week earlier. Victor Torps’ free-kick tested Robin Roefs, but the goalkeeper could do nothing when Awoniyi doubled the lead before half-time.

Again it was poor from Sunderland. After an ill-advised pass from Chris Rigg, O’Nien too easily lost possession to Awoniyi, who charged his way past a couple of desperate challenges before beating Roefs with the help of a deflection off Alderete.

Coventry’s confidence was high enough that Rudoni tried a bicycle kick shortly before a half-time whistle greeted with boos from the Sunderland end. Things soon got worse for those travelling supporters as Rudoni’s shot struck the unfortunate Alderete to put Coventry in control.

Chemsdine Talbi missed a fine chance moments after coming on, but Sunderland got a lifeline when Ethan Pinnock used an arm to block O’Nien’s strike, Simon Hooper finally pointing to the spot after a lengthy spell watching replays before Le Fée hit an emphatic penalty.

Stephen Mfuni, in for the injured Bobby Thomas, made a huge block to keep out O’Nien’s volley as Coventry held off a series of late attacks from Sunderland before Alderete’s red card.