Follow live coverage as Sunderland face Coventry City in the Championship today.
An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season.
Relegation from the top flight last term means Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United are all back in the second tier this term and will be expected to push for play-off spots again at least, but so too will Norwich City, an improving Coventry and beaten play-off finalists Leeds United. At the other end of the table, Wayne Rooney is aiming to revive Plymouth’s fortunes after they narrowly avoided relegation last year, with Portsmouth and Derby the teams promoted from League One along with play-off final winners Oxford.
Follow live updates from today’s game in the live blog below.
Sunderland AFC 1 - 0 Coventry City FC
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:33
Foul by Victor Torp (Coventry City).
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:30
Foul by Milan van Ewijk (Coventry City).
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:27
Foul by Jack Rudoni (Coventry City).
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:24
Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Chris Mepham.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:24
Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Luke O'Nien.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:22
Haji Wright (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:22
Foul by Joel Latibeaudiere (Coventry City).
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:22
Attempt missed. Jack Rudoni (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Haji Wright.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:22
Goal! Sunderland 1, Coventry City 0. Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Romaine Mundle with a cross.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:21
Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:19
Patrick Roberts (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:17
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:16
Delay in match because of an injury Victor Torp (Coventry City).
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:15
Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Chris Mepham.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:15
Attempt saved. Chris Rigg (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:11
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Luis Binks.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:07
Foul by Haji Wright (Coventry City).
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:06
Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Dennis Cirkin.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
15:03
First Half begins.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
14:30
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Sunderland vs Coventry City
13:00
Follow live football coverage with The Independent today.
Whether it's Premier League, Champions League, a European Championship or the World Cup we will keep you up to date with everything you need to know.
We will have all the latest scores, goals and updates plus analysis and reaction throughout the game here.
