Coventry bounced back from back-to-back defeats against Tottenham and Fulham that had left Lampard under mounting pressure.

Yet his squad responded emphatically to their manager's plight. Putting on a first-half hurricane, they completely dismantled Sunderland, who failed to capitalise on the momentum of their midweek League Cup quarter-final qualification.

Japan's Tatsuhiro Sakamoto opened his Premier League account with an effort from the edge of the box following a poor clearance from the Sunderland defence. Taiwo Awoniyi doubled the lead before the break after winning back possession himself in the final third, driving into the area, skipping past two challenges, and finding the net via a deflection.

Straight after the restart, a wickedly deflected strike from Jack Rudoni made it three for Coventry City. Despite a late Sunderland rally and a goal from Enzo Le Fee, the Sky Blues held firm to secure three crucial points that haul them out of the drop zone.

Last season's Championship winners now move onto nine points, while Sunderland remain winless in the league since matchday two on 30 August and are beginning to suffer the toll of juggling three competitions. The 'Black Cats' sit bottom of the table with five points.