Coventry City faced Sunderland at the CBS Arena this afternoon - here's how we rated Frank Lampard's players

Coventry City confidently strode to a third Premier League win of the season to leave Sunderland bottom of the table.

The Sky Blues were clinical in the first half and battled hard in the second to settle a few nerves generated by back-to-back defeats.

Goals from Tatushiro Sakamoto and Taiwo Awoniyi put the hosts two goals up at the break and Jack Rudoni made it three with his third in four games.

They were made to scrap to the end after Enzo Le Fee converted a 67th minute spot-kick but in the end ran out worthy winners as Sunderland finished with ten men after the late dismissal of Omar Alderete.

Frank Lampard made four changes to the side which was so passive against Fulham, including the statement move to drop Matt Grimes for Victor Torp. The captain’s armband past to Ethan Pinnock who partnered rising star Stephen Mfuni in central defence.

Lampard’s bravery was rewarded with an excellent first half display in which City forced errors out of an out-of-sorts Sunderland and capitalised on them clinically.

The first came in the 17th minute when Carl Rushworth launched a long ball forward which was taken down by Milan van Ewijk and sent straight into the middle.

Black Cats’ Trai Hume came round on the cover but hacked a clearance sideways and invitingly for Sakamoto on the edge of the area. The Japanese unerringly picked out the bottom corner with his left foot for his first Premier League goal.

Three minutes later Sunderland could have levelled when Granit Xhaka threaded a ball through to Brian Brobbey, one-on-one with Pinnock. Thankfully the striker was to the right of goal and completely scuffed a shot across the face.

Eight minutes before break Awoniyi, restored to the starting line-up in favour of Sidiki Cherif, picked Hume’s pocket and surged up to and into the penalty area. As defenders converged he fired a low shot which flicked off Alderete and past Robin Roefs.

Alderete played a part in City's third too. Shortly after the restart the hosts played their way upfield and Torp squared for Rudoni to the left of the D. Sky Blues' talisman fired low and saw his drive hit off the Sunderland centre back and past Roefs.

The visitors were given a lifeline midway through the half when Hume's shot hit Pinnock's hand, prompting a long VAR stoppage.

Simon Hooper went to the screen and retuned with the verdict it was a spot-kick and Enzo Le Fee sent Rushworth the wrong way to reduce the deficit to 3-1.

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Rushworth 7

Just one first half save to make, with Chris Rigg driving the ball straight at him. Went the wrong way for the penalty but all in all this was a composed display from the goalkeeper.

van Ewijk 7.5

There were times when Nilson Angulo looked dangerous - and the right back played Brobbey onside for Sunderland's best first half opening - but he played his part in the opening goal. Overall he kept his side solid and got forward on a couple of occasions.

Mfuni 8

Just oozes class, so good on the ball but today we saw some really determined and courageous defending. This young man is going to be an absolute star.

Pinnock 8

Showed why he was the natural choice to take the armband from Grimes. Won his headers, coped with Brobbey's physicality well. It was a penalty but that shouldn't detract from a very solid afternoon's work.

Dasilva 7.5

Some really bright combinations with Gboho and Rudoni down the left. Another very commendable afternoon from a left-back who looks at home in the Premier League.

Yirenkyi 8

So industrious, covering ground, tracking runners and winning tackles. He kept the ball ticking over and played his part in the middle of the park. His energy levels are off the charts and the fouls he gave away were 'good fouls'.

Torp 8

Walked a tight-rope after an early booking but completely justified Lampard's faith in him. Came close to another free kick goal, forcing Roefs into a flying save. Given a standing ovation when he went off.

Sakamoto 7.5

There won't be a more popular goal-scorer this season. The 30-year-old produced a clinical finish and was lively throughout.

Rudoni 8.5*

The pick of the Sky Blues players. He looks like he feels he belongs at this level now. Lovely ball carrying, nice touch and a slightly fortuitous goal but if you don't buy a ticket, you don't win the raffle. Finished the game by putting in a real shift defensively.

Gboho 6.5

A first Premier League start for the winger and he'll be happy to get that under his belt. He didn't light the CBS Arena up but he didn't stink it out either. Had a couple of moments to make a real impression and couldn't quite do that but he never hid and played his part.

Awoniyi 6.5

The ball hadn't really stuck with the Nigerian striker for much of the first half but then he delivered a real hammer blow with a goal that he made and scored himself. A step in the right direction.

Substitutes

Cherif (for Awoniyi, 71) Some good, some less so 6

Thomas-Asante (for Gboho, 71) Enthusiasm if not precision 6

Grimes (for Torp, 83) N/A

Not used: Bentley, Simms, Mason-Clark, Kesler-Hayden, Latibeaudiere, Hamer,

Opposition

Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Hume (Meunier 75), Alderete, O’Nien, Mandava; Sadiki, Xhaka; Rigg (Talbi 57), Le Fee, Angulo (Isidor 57); Brobbey. Not used; Ellborg, Danso, Methalie, Ta Bi, Ahoka, Fofana

Goals

Sky Blues: Sakamoto (17), Awoniyi (37), Rudoni (52)

Sunderland: Le Fee (67 pen)

Referee: Simon Hooper