Benji claws back a late point
TEENAGER Benji Kimpioka came off the bench to score a 90thminute equaliser and deny Coventry a fourth win on the bounce.
The Sky Blues looked on course to become the first side to beat Sunderland on home soil for the second season in a row after April’s 5-4 thriller thanks to Dominic Hyam.
But Swedish Under-21 international Kimpioka drilled a leftfoot shot across Marko Marosi for his f i rst senior goal.
“That’s a big moment for the kid,” said boss Phil Parkinson.
“He’s feeling 10-foot tall in the dressing room.”
Kimpioka’s last- gasp heroics couldn’t prevent the Black Cats being booed off. And there’s little to suggest Parkinson can succeed where so many before him have failed.
It’s just two wins in 10 games since he replaced Jack Ross and this month he’s watched his struggling side crash out of three cup competitions and fall f urther behind the promotion pacesetters.
But Parkinson was encouraged by Sunderland’s late rally.
“We kept on going and showed bravery,” he added.
“It’s never easy going b e hi nd at home but we dealt with that pressure.”
The hosts’ one clear- cut chance before half-time summed up their display. Chris Maguire sent over a cross which demanded an appropriate finish – only for team-mates Will Grigg
SUNDERLAND COVENTRY 3 ........ Shots on Target .........6 1 .........Shots off Target .........3 3 ................Corners .................5 10 .................Fouls ................... 11 3 ............... Offsides ..................1 75.8.. Passing Success % ... 73.4 509 ...... Total Passes ........ 462 52.9 .....Possession % .......47.1 60.5 .Territorial Adv % .. 39.5 and Max Power to collide.
Coventry could have led by more than Hyam’s 26th- minute opener, a close-range header after Michael Rose knocked the ball across goal.
Liam Walsh’s 30-yarder was tipped over the bar by Lee Burge, who also foiled Amadou Bakayoko after Maguire’s back pass had sold him short.
Jordan Shipley went close to stretching the lead in the second half while Marosi pushed away Aiden Mcgeady’s fierce drive.
“The game should have been over,” said Coventry boss Mark Robins.
“We had the chances to win it but that’s been our story recently.”