Haji Wright’s Coventry City traveled to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland in the Sky Bet Championship and came out 3-0 winners, picking up an assist. Elsewhere, Jonathan Tomkinson is finally receiving his much-needed senior soccer minutes, with another 90 minutes under his belt in a 3-1 win against Doncaster Rovers.
Sunderland 0-3 Coventry City
Wright has stepped up his performances as of late for the Sky Blues after an underwhelming period, becoming a huge influence in the attack. The record-breaking signing picked up Callum O’Hare’s goal and was a constant nuisance for the Sunderland backline all evening.
Anthony Patterson showcased a remarkable double block to thwart Haji Wright and O’Hare in quick succession. However, the goalkeeper was unable to prevent the Sky Blues from taking the lead just before the break. Referee Matt Donohue allowed play to continue after Wright was brought down, and O’Hare sprinted clear to deliver a cross that Sunderland failed to clear, allowing Sakamoto to capitalize at the far post.
The home side initiated the second period strongly, with Jobe Bellingham, the younger brother of Jude Bellingham, and Jack Clarke both squandering opportunities. Trai Hume’s attempt was blocked by Jamie Allen. Nevertheless, Sunderland fell victim to a counter-attack as O’Hare, in tandem with Wright, executed a precise finish beyond Patterson, making it 2-0.
The game was effectively sealed three minutes later when Kassey Palmer, freshly off the bench, maneuvered his way to a tap-in after his initial effort was spilled by Patterson. Wright played a disruptive role in the buildup, positioning himself between the ball and players, but he wasn’t credited with the assist as he didn’t make a direct play on the ball.
Doncaster Rovers 1-3 Bradford City
The Norwich City loanee at Bradford didn’t have the brightest spell at the League Two side, hardly ever featuring in the squad. However, he has picked up his second start in a row, playing the full 90 minutes in the process. Not only that, his team won both games while only conceding once in the process.
Joe Ironside got in the way of a clearance by Bradford’s goalkeeper, Harry Lewis, and skillfully curved the ball in from near the byline, granting Doncaster an early advantage within seven minutes.
Despite the home side’s strong start, Bradford City grew into the game with flurry of chances, including near misses by Matthew Platt and Andy Cook, but they managed to equalize at the 27-minute mark. Cook, breaking free from his marker, headed in a corner from Jamie Walker, putting Bradford ahead at the 43-minute mark.
In the second half, opportunities were scarce, but Cook secured the victory in the 85th minute by neatly finishing a 12-yard Alex Gilliead cross. That’s back to back games where Bradford scored three times in a match.
Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Southampton
It’s another defeat for Reggie Cannon and Charlie Kelman’s QPR as they were dominated by Premier League promotion seekers Southampton at home. Despite the loss, the west Londoners are still within two points of safety, hovering just outside the relegation zone.
In the first 45 minutes, QPR posed a greater threat, exemplified by Ilias Chair’s audacious attempt from the halfway line that momentarily unsettled Saints’ goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, narrowly missing the target.
Ex-QPR player Ryan Manning entered the game as a substitute, delivering a precise free-kick into the box. Adam Armstrong redirected it towards the far post, where Harwood-Bellis skillfully fired in past Asmir Begovic.
Following the break, the home team responded well after going down late in the first half, as Chris Willock’s powerful strike tested Bazunu once more, and Kenneth Paal’s effort narrowly cleared the bar. On the opposing side, Saints’ substitute Che Adams had an opportunity to extend their lead but was thwarted by Begovic.
QPR’s optimism saw a late resurgence when, two minutes from time, Charles received a second yellow card for a foul on Albert Adomah. Despite this, Saints’ 10 players managed to withstand added time, securing their fifth victory in six visits to Loftus Road and closing the gap to second-placed Ipswich to seven points.
Swansea City 2-1 Preston North End
Duane Holmes’ PNE were stunned by a late Swansea winner in the 95th minute of the match. After a very bright first two months of the season, Preston were joint top of the league, but now they drop down to 13th due to inconsistency.
David Cornell made the lone noteworthy save in a lackluster first half, thwarting Jamal Lowe’s attempt following sharp play by Liam Walsh. Swansea struggled to muster enough tempo or precision to trouble Preston consistently, while Robbie Brady’s long-range effort for the visitors curled wide of the far post.
Paterson injected life into the match on the hour mark with a top-notch finish, courtesy of a splendid pass from Matt Grimes. However, Preston responded swiftly, as Liam Millar’s equally precise strike leveled the score just seven minutes later.
The draw appeared to be the likely result until Liam Cullen took control of a loose ball, setting up Paterson, who composed himself before calmly slotting the ball low into the far corner in the 95th minute, securing all three points.
Preston’s once-prominent start to the season is now fading from memory, as the Lilywhites drop down to 13th in the Championship.
Notes:
Lynden Gooch played the full 90 minutes in Stoke City’s 0-0 draw at home against Millwall.
Josh Sargent is back in training with the Norwich City squad.
Kristian Fletcher and Vaughn Covil did not feature in any games this week.
Daryl Dike is still recovering from his achilles injury.
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