Haji Wright's hat-trick against Sunderland took his season goal tally to 10
Haji Wright scored a hat-trick to send Coventry City back into the play-off places with a comfortable win that dented Sunderland's dwindling hopes of challenging for automatic promotion.
The United States international's two goals in nine first-half minutes were his first since he scored against the Black Cats in November.
Wright, who spent much of the past four months on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in that previous meeting, opened the scoring with a powerful finish before doubling the lead from the spot after Chris Mepham brought him down.
He completed his treble with chipped finish over onrushing goalkeeper Anthony Patterson in the 73rd minute to lift Frank Lampard's Sky Blues up to fifth in the Championship table.
Coventry had dropped to seventh on Friday, with Bristol City leapfrogging them into the play-off spots after beating Norwich City.
Sunderland are still 10 points better off in fourth, but their defeat at CBS Arena leaves them nine points adrift of the automatic promotion spots after Burnley beat Swansea 2-0 to move up to second.
The hosts made a bright start, with Victor Torp teeing Bobby Thomas up for a headed chance with an early free-kick before the Dane went on to provide the assist as Wright scored their deserved opener.
Minutes after drilling a low shot past Patterson into the bottom corner, Wright beat the Black Cats goalkeeper again with coolly-taken spot-kick straight down the middle.
Sunderland struggled to create any meaningful chances in reply, although Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor sent efforts off target in quick succession after the hour mark.
A threaded pass from Torp found Wright running into space to score his first hat-trick since August 2021 – for Antalyaspor against Rizespor in Turkey's top-flight – earning him a standing ovation from the elated Coventry crowd when substituted in stoppage time at the end of the game.
Lampard praises 'outstanding' Wright - reaction
Coventry City boss Frank Lampard told BBC CWR:
"From the first minute the players were really at it in every sense, both on and off the ball. They moved the ball quickly and moved it well.
"They got a lot of control early on, played the game in their half a lot and counter pressed really well when we lost the ball. We were fast, really fast today.
"And we got the goals that we deserved. Even in the second half we continued, so it was a very complete performance.
"I hadn't seen Haji [before his recent return from injury], all I knew is what he had done here before, so I was excited to get him back. And for him to play this level of game today, and show what he did was really impressive.
"It was an outstanding individual performance from him."
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris told to BBC Radio Newcastle:
"Coventry were good, very good. They were intense, with the ability to create chances though different ways.
"We were prepared for that tactically, but on the pitch it wasn't possible because our intensity wasn't high enough.
"We were not good in duels, to second balls and we had many turn-overs so we didn't control anything.
"So it's a bad afternoon, but at the same time it is a good reminder for us because this league is tough and we have strong opponents to face. It showed that when we are at that level we are punished."
