Coventry climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone as they cruised to victory over bottom side Sunderland.
Frank Lampard had called for his side to show a response after a disappointing defeat to Fulham last time out, and got exactly what he was after as they were rampant against a sluggish Black Cats.
A fast start was rewarded as Tatsuhiro Sakamoto finished beautifully from the edge of the box for his first Premier League goal. The lead was doubled when Taiwo Awoniyi dispossessed Luke O'Nien before driving into the penalty area and finding his first league goal since joining the club in the summer.
Any hopes of a fast start from the visitors in the second half were put to bed as Jack Rudoni's effort from the edge of the box deflected off Omar Alderete and left Robin Roefs stranded.
Sunderland had chances to cut the deficit earlier, but it took an Enzo Le Fee penalty after Ethan Pinnock handled in the penalty area to finally beat Carl Rushworth - the club's first Premier League goal since September 20.
A late red card for Alderete only soured things further for Regis Le Bris' men, who remain at the foot of the table. However, Coventry leapfrog the likes of Manchester United as they climb out of the bottom three with their third Premier League win of the season.
17: GOAL! Sakamoto nets his first Premier League goal to give Coventry deserved lead.
21: WIDE! Brobbey drags a shot across goal off target.
28: SAVE! Roefs tips Torp's free-kick behind.
36: GOAL! Awoniyi wins the ball off O'Nien before slotting in Coventry's second.
52: GOAL! Rudoni's deflected strike makes it three.
59: WIDE! Talbi misses golden chance to pull one back.
67: GOAL! Le Fee's penalty sees Sunderland cut lead to two.
90+9: RED CARD! Alderete shown second yellow card as Sunderland's misery compounded.
Lampard proud of 'professional' Coventry performance
Coventry boss Frank Lampard speaking with Sky Sports:
"The performance was really good. I thought we started the game well and continued to get our rewards for that.
"From beginning to end, in the different modes of the game. Even when it went to 3-1 and we had to see it out professionally, I thought we did.
"I love the way we approached it. Don't sit back, keep pushing and doing the same things, but it won't always be that way.
"We dealt with the stuff at the end of the game as well. It ended up being relatively comfortable with the two-goal margin. I'm pleased with the players because they'll feel it and they'll understand it, I hope, and we'll move on to the next."
Le Bris laments Sunderland's consistency
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris speaking with Sky Sports:
"Consistency is the key word in this league. We gave two opportunities from two unforced errors and it changed the game. After that, we had good spells and created good chances, but the consistency is not acceptable at this level.
"This is the reality of Sunderland this year and we have to manage it. I won't complain because of the schedule. We want to be in this position with many competitions to play.
"But at the same time, it is important to assume the reality and get better through consistency. I repeat, we were good in the Carabao Cup, good in the Europa League, but the Premier League is relentless.
"It's the best level in the world. At the moment, we are not consistent enough."
Black Cats not purring in front of goal
Analysis from Sky Sports' Callum Bishop:
"It would've been in the spirit of Halloween for the Black Cats to find a way to celebrate the day with a victory. However, their finishing was more of a horror show for Regis Le Bris.
"Enzo Le Fee's penalty was their first goal in the Premier League since they scored three against Manchester City on September 20. However, from open play, their struggles persist.
"They had more than double Coventry's xG this afternoon, albeit inflated by the spot-kick. Remove that from the equation and they still had slightly more than their opponents (0.80 vs 0.71).
"Ultimately, they just weren't anywhere near clinical enough when they got in to the areas to punish Coventry. Brian Brobbey looked like a shell of the hat-trick hero at the Etihad. Chemsdine Talbi also wasted a glorious chance.
"We have seen it so often where teams qualify for Europe and then struggle the following season. That is what Le Bris is faced with, but at least it is clear where the main problem lies."
