Boss Robins is lost for words over his ton-up hero Viktor
COVENTRY manager Mark Robins is fed up of praising Sky Blue hero Viktor Gyokeres – as it just attracts more admirers.
The Sweden striker, 24, celebrated his 100th appearance for the club with a late clinching goal in this fiery throwback clash.
Earlier he teed up Jamie Allen for a controversial opener with Sunderland convinced Joe Gelhardt had been fouled by Luke Mcnally in the build-up.
Gyokeres scored a 16th goal of the season, and 35th in all, in the 89th minute before Amad Diallo’s stoppagetime consolation.
And a third win a row boosted Coventry’s play-off hopes.
Robins said: “I don’t need to keep talking about Vik. Everyone is trying to sell him!
“He deserves everything he gets but others also work hard for him.
“He has been hit and fouled and had two or three chances before the his goal. To get 35 goals in 100 games is very good.
“This was a thoroughly deserved three points despite all their possession.”
Sunderland’s Danny Batth hit the bar with a header before Gyokeres blazed over. But Coventry went ahead on 25 minutes.
With two Sunderland players on the ground, Gyokeres escaped down the right and crossed for Allen to score. Then as tempers boiled over Josh Eccles and Diallo were booked.
Ben Wilson saved from Diallo and there was another melee as Gelhardt went in late on the keeper.
A pitch invader was felled by stewards and a blue smoke bomb billowed out over the pitch.
Gyokeres then turned in a cross from Matty Godden and Manchester United loanee Diallo’s superb reply came too late.
Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray said: “It looked like a game from the 1980s where you could kick people and the referee would play on.
“There was a stick-on penalty on Patrick Roberts and he didn’t give the foul for their first goal. But give us Gyokeres today, or we have Ross Stewart fit, and we win comfortably.”
COVENTRY: Wilson 6; Mcnally 7, Mcfadzean 8, Doyle 7 (Rose (80) 6); Norton-cuffy 7, Eccles 7, Hamer 7, Allen 7, Bidwell 7 (Godden (80) 6); Gyokeres 8, Palmer 7 (Wilson-esbrand (52) 6) SUNDERLAND: Patterson 6; Hume 6, Ballard 6, Batth 6, Alese 5 (Bennette (81) 6); Michut 5 (Ba (70) 6), Neil 6 (O’nien (70) 6); Diallo 6, Clarke 6 (Pritchard (69) 6), Roberts 6; Gelhardt 6 (Ekwah (70) 6) STAR MAN: Viktor Gyokeres – Terrorised the Sunderland defence and got the late goal he richly deserved. REF: Dean Whitestone 4