BRAZILIAN defender Emerson Thome's first goal for Sunderland secured the points in a dour game at the Stadium of Light.
Coventry looked the better side in a lack-lustre first half but skipper Mustapha Hadji missed a couple of decent chances.
Sunderland stepped up the pressure after the break and when a 25-yard pile-driver from midfielder Darren Williams was deflected over the bar in the 52nd minute Argentinian Julio Arca swung over the corner for Thome to repay a slice of his record £4.5m transfer fee by heading home from close range.
Coventry goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, who had been sent off in the 6-1 defeat at Chelsea the week before, raced after the referee to protest that he had been obstructed and was shown a yellow card.
City tried to battle their way back into the game, but could not produce a decisive finish, despite some promising approach work as Sunderland extended their unbeaten run to eight games.
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