Coventry heap more misery on Sunderland: Insipid Black Cats hit new low to leave Regis Le Bris looking haunted by grim prospect of relegation after 3-1 defeat

it a horror show that left Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris looking increasingly haunted and clinging a little less securely to his job.

Brand it the stuff of nightmares for the furious supporters who made the long journey back to the north-east fearing relegation.

Roll out the clichés because they all apply after this ghoulish display had Le Bris and his players well and truly spooked.

It was x-rated stuff from insipid Sunderland in what had been billed as an early-season relegation shoot-out.

They lacked intensity, were a shambles defensively and remain rock-bottom after being well beaten by a Coventry side who deserved everything they got.

As the ska classic Ghost Town by legendary Coventry band The Specials boomed out over the public address system, it was Sunderland who were left looking like dead men.

Jack Rudoni (right) was the key man again for Coventry as they dismantled Sunderland

Regis Le Bris's side remain bottom of the Premier League with their season looking bleak

Le Bris said: 'Are we in a relegation scrap? It’s obvious when you look at the table.

'Are we worried? Always. It’s football and you can’t relax.

'We won’t give up just because it’s a bit tough. I feel the unity of the club and the players.'

Coventry’s acclimatisation to the Premier League after 25 years away has not been plain sailing.

Frank Lampard’s men are clearly a united force, however, and that togetherness harvested back-to-back victories at Nottingham Forest and home to Newcastle a few weeks ago.

A reality check came with defeats at Tottenham and a 1-0 reverse to Fulham here last weekend when the Sky Blues were booed off.

But they were comfortably the better side against Sunderland as they chiselled out a third win from five Premier League games.

They led in the 17th minute when Tatsuhiro Sakamoto produced a stunning left-foot finish which flew into the net after Sunderland failed miserably to clear their lines.

The manner in which Taiwo Awoniyi strode through the Sunderland rearguard to fire home and double Coventry’s lead 20 minutes later was far more shocking.

Sunderland fans booed their team off at the break but things got worse in the 52nd minute when Jack Rudoni’s deflected left-foot strike beat Robin Roefs.

Frank Lampard's side now have three wins this season after 25 years away from the league

Could Coventry beat the drop? You would have your doubts.

But only a fool would turn his back on the Sky Blues now.

There is too much energy, and too much drive, coursing through the veins of a football club with momentum behind it.

Lampard, whose side climbed out of the drop zone, said: 'I’m very happy with the energy we showed and the quality in the goals we scored.

'The positivity in the performance rubbed off on the stadium. It’s a nice feeling to be out of the bottom three but things can change very quickly and there’s such a long way to go.'

Sunderland, let it be remembered, finished seventh last season and qualified for Europe for the first time in 53 years.

But second-season syndrome is threatening to hit the Wearsiders like a tonne of bricks.

During the first half, they created precious little as Brian Brobbey scuffed a low shot wide when Coventry led 1-0.

That felt like a big moment and they finally got off the mark in the 67th minute through Enzo Le Fee’s penalty after Ethan Pinnock’s handball.

But it never looked anything else but consolation for Sunderland, whose supporters made their feelings clear, although many had cleared off long before the end.

Le Bris said: 'It’s normal to react like this but I know they believe in the club and we’ll stick together.'

It is now one win in nine for the Black Cats, who look a pale shadow of the side who had 17 points at this stage last season.

Sunderland look a shadow of the side that finished seventh in their first year back last year

If Coventry are to defy the odds and beat the drop this season, the influence of Rudoni will be crucial.

The midfielder's educated left boot again proved an important weapon for his team and he is likely to be attracting admiring glances from some higher-placed clubs.

He scored a goal and was in the thick of things when Alderete was sent off in the closing stages.

Rudoni's technical qualities are certainly of the Premier League and he should not be short of offers if Lampard's men fail to beat the drop.