Great interplay by Sunderland.

Ball forward is flicked into Jack Clarke's path by Ross Stewart, who turns and continues his run into the box.

Clarke finds him with the return pass and Stewart's rising effort is tipped over by Simon Moore.

Corner for Sunderland.

Sunderland manage to smother Ben Sheaf on the edge of the box after he was played in.

The Coventry midfielder took too much time to work the ball onto his right foot and the opportunity passed by.

Had to make it. Alex Pritchard is down receiving treatment. Concern for Alex Neil. Luke O'Nien is up and ready to come on...

Corry Evans looks to shut down Gustavo Hamer in midfield with a thunderous challenge, physical to say the least, and slides in to upend the Brazil-born Coventry schemer.

Booking for the Sunderland captain.

Ross Stewart clears the curling set-piece from under the Sunderland crossbar, and Coventry recycle it.

However, Jake Bidwell's speculative effort from distance was well wide.

Then Matt Godden passes up an easy opportunity! Dan Neil is robbed by Gustavo Hamer as he tries to play out from the box, but Godden's shot is wide. That should have been meat and drink!

Poor defending from Alex Neil's side.

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Josh Eccles darts into the Sunderland box but before he can get there, he's dragged down by Jack Clarke.

Booking for Clarke. Free-kick.

Coventry see an attack broken down on the edge of the Sunderland box and it's a swift break.

The ball is fizzed into Jack Clarke, who slithers across the box before teeing up Elliot Embleton, but his curling effort sails wide of the right post.

Jack Clarke finds himself one-on-one out on the left but can't worm his way past the covering Coventry defence.

Jonathan Panzo uses his imposing frame to block off a chance, and Coventry break.

The ball from the right into the box just outruns the strikers and Anthony Patterson gathers for Sunderland.

Coventry get the ball rolling.

Here we go again.

It was like Sunderland had never been away with all the excitement of that opening 45.

Fans crammed into the Stadium of Light and were rewarded with a bright display.

Coventry are certainly still in this game, they just need to make sure their passes stick and get Matt Godden and Viktor Gyokeres more involved.

Likewise, Gustavo Hamer.

Leighton Turnbull: I think we made a promising start but got sloppy as the half went on, We need to stop giving the ball away and we also need a second goal in the second half

Once the action is done and dusted at the Stadium of Light, the opening EFL weekend continues on Monday when Watford host Sheffield United.

Watford, relegated from the Premier League last season, are now under exciting young manager Rob Edwards, while Sheffield United missed out on promotion in last season's play-offs.

Should be a corker.

Jack Clarke's goal is the difference and Sunderland have thus far enjoyed a bright return to the Championship.

Coventry were one of the most entertaining teams to watch last year but didn't show enough of their threat in the opening 45.

However, Jonathan Panzo's woodwork-shaking rocket which smacked the crossbar was a real highlight.

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Sunderland coax the ball out to Alex Pritchard down the right, and he enjoys a good tussle with Jonathan Panzo before touching the ball back.

Coventry just about stem the flow, as Ross Stewart is just beaten to the ball by Josh Eccles after it was rolled into his path.

Closing in on the break.

Ben Sheaf tries to spring Coventry forward with a ball in behind but Viktor Gyokeres and Matt Godden aren't on the same wavelength.

It whizzes away to safety for Sunderland.

Scraps for Cov to feed on though, in terms of clear cut chances.

Sunderland fans raise the volume with handball cries after Jack Clarke's cut-back hits Dominic Hyam, but the Coventry defender avoids punishment.

It's still nice and open this, even with Sunderland's lead.

Having been given a bit of a scare, Sunderland turn on the one-touch style with some beautiful football in midfield to open up a chance.

The ball eventually works its way out to winger Jack Clarke, but he can't keep hold of it.

Slick though from the hosts.

WHAT A HIT FROM JONATHAN PANZO!

The Coventry defender, on loan from Nottingham Forest, lets fly with a shot from at least 30 yards ex-Forest and Cov defender Stuart Pearce would be proud of and it smacks the bar - rocket.

Matt Godden can't turn in the rebound.

Coventry just enjoying a period of possession, but have largely been kept at arms length by Sunderland all the same.

Loose passes have undone some of their bright work so far.

Mark Robins is chewing on his gum in rigorous fashion as he looks on from the Cov technical area.

A neat wall-pass in midfield gives Ben Sheaf a chance to break on a static Sunderland side and he fizzes the ball left.

However, the cross is overhit, swung in by Jake Bidwell, sailing through too close to Anthony Patterson.

Lovely ball from Sheaf, outside of the foot curled into space.

Ross Stewart goes down chasing a ball through for Sunderland but referee Darren Bond, whose locks are being held by an alice band of all things, gives the free-kick the other way.

When did refs start getting fancy hair dos? He's going for the silver fox look.

Image source, Rex Features