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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. 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. 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. " Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 15th March 2025 at 21: 22 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Frank Lampard Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Manager: Régis Le Bris Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Frank Lampard Formation: 4 - 3 - 3 Manager: Régis Le Bris Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions The last nine league meetings between Coventry and Sunderland have alternated between a draw and a victory for Coventry; the game earlier this season ended 2-2. Sunderland are winless in their last 11 league visits to Coventry (D5 L6); their last win on the road against the Sky Blues came at Highfield Road in April 1985 in the top-flight. Coventry City have won seven of their last nine home league matches (D1 L1), winning each of their last three in a row. They last had a longer home winning run between May and October 2021 (seven wins). Sunderland have won three of their last four away league games (L1), as many as they won in their previous 12 away games combined (W3 D5 L4). Bobby Thomas has scored in each of his last three home league appearances for Coventry, scoring three times in total. He’d only scored twice in his first 35 games at the Coventry Building Society Arena for the Sky Blues. Match ends, Coventry City 3, Sunderland 0. Second Half ends, Coventry City 3, Sunderland 0. Offside, Sunderland. Wilson Isidor is caught offside. Substitution, Coventry City. Ellis Simms replaces Haji Wright. Foul by Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (Coventry City). Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Substitution, Coventry City. Josh Eccles replaces Victor Torp. Foul by Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (Coventry City). Chris Rigg (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt missed. Victor Torp (Coventry City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Milan van Ewijk with a cross. Substitution, Coventry City. Jamie Paterson replaces Ephron Mason-Clark. Substitution, Sunderland. Alan Browne replaces Patrick Roberts. Haji Wright (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Jenson Seelt (Sunderland). Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Milan van Ewijk. Foul by Matt Grimes (Coventry City). Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Goal! Coventry City 3, Sunderland 0. Haji Wright (Coventry City) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Victor Torp with a through ball. Offside, Sunderland. Wilson Isidor is caught offside. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.