This is part one of my review of all 52 games Sunderland have played this season, including all four cup matches, some brilliant victories and (only a few) disastrous defeats. I’ve also personally been to most of this season’s games so I’ll offer some of my own experiences from throughout the season.
COVENTRY (H) 1-1
Our momentum from the successful play-off campaign of just a few months prior carried into this game when, before 15 minutes had been played, new (permanent) signing Jack Clarke latched onto a cross from Lynden Gooch and gave us a 1-0 lead. Coventry would hit the bar later on in the first half but we would go into the break with our lead intact. A few more chances would follow from both sides, however Coventry eventually found an equaliser from prolific talisman Viktor Gyokeres late on. I remember feeling a sense of disappointment when the match finished, partly because we had thrown away a lead and also because I was tired from watching the match in the early hours of morning in Vegas. Overall it was a positive start to the season and we had shown ourselves capable of competing against more established Championship clubs.</