Nigerian international striker Taiwo Awoniyi ended his Premier League goal drought on Saturday, scoring as Coventry City secured an important 3-1 victory over Sunderland at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

The Super Eagles forward found the net in the 37th minute, doubling Coventry’s advantage after Tatsuhiro Sakamoto had opened the scoring in the 17th minute.

Awoniyi capitalised on a defensive mistake by Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien, winning possession before driving into the penalty area and calmly finishing to give Frank Lampard’s side a 2-0 lead.

The goal marked Awoniyi’s first Premier League strike of the 2026/27 campaign and his first league goal since joining Coventry in the summer.

Coventry continued their impressive performance after the interval, with Jack Rudoni extending their advantage in the 52nd minute through an effort that took a deflection before beating Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

Sunderland responded in the 67th minute when Enzo Le Fée converted a penalty following a VAR review, reducing the deficit to 3-1.

However, Coventry maintained their advantage to secure all three points. Sunderland’s difficult afternoon was compounded in stoppage time when Omar Alderete received a second yellow card and was sent off.

Awoniyi was substituted in the 72nd minute after an influential performance that helped Coventry secure their third Premier League victory of the season.

The result lifted Coventry out of the relegation zone, while Sunderland remained at the bottom of the Premier League table.

For Awoniyi, the goal represents an important breakthrough as he seeks to establish himself at Coventry and maintain his scoring form ahead of future international assignments with Nigeria.

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi ended his Premier League goal drought with a goal in Coventry City’s 3-1 victory over Sunderland, helping Frank Lampard’s side move out of the relegation zone.