Sunderland delivered an excellent performance in the first leg away at Coventry City, earning a 2-1 advantage to take back to the Stadium of Light.
It was a bit of a cagey one for most of the match, but things kicked off properly midway through the second half.
The visitors took the lead in the 68th minute when Enzo Le Fee played a well-weighted pass into Wilson Isidor down the left. He drove into the penalty area and finished confidently into the bottom right corner past Ben Wilson.
But the Sky Blues hit back almost straight away - just two minutes later, Milan van Ewijk whipped in a cross from the right and Jack Rudoni powered in a header from close range to level things up.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Eliezer Mayenda capitalised on a defensive error from van Ewijk, rounded the goalkeeper, and slotted home to restore Sunderland’s lead with only two minutes remaining.
Coventry pushed for a late equaliser, with substitute Jamie Allen going closest - his overhead effort sailing just over the bar.
Despite six minutes of stoppage time, Frank Lampard’s side couldn’t find a second goal, and they now face the challenge of overturning a one-goal deficit in the second leg next Tuesday at the Stadium of Light.
