Sunderland lose unbeaten home record, while Coventry move back within a point of the play-offs

Sunderland missed the opportunity to close the gap between themselves and the top three in the Championship as they lost 1-0 at home to relegation-threatened Hull City.

Regis Le Bris’ side went a goal down in the 18th minute, following a gaffe from goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who turned Joe Gelhardt’s corner into his own goal.

An onslaught from the home side never arrived, although forward Wilson Isidor headed their best opportunity wide with around 20 minutes remaining.

The defeat ends the Black Cats’ unbeaten record at the Stadium of Light and leaves them eight points behind second-placed Sheffield United having played a game more.

Hull, meanwhile, climb to 20th and have a three-point buffer between themselves and the bottom three.

Our first home league defeat of the season. #SUNHUL pic.twitter.com/riOjarFTLX

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) February 22, 2025

Elsewhere, Coventry City moved back within a point of the play-off places following a 2-1 victory at home to Preston North End.

Frank Lampard’s side went in at half-time with a two-goal lead thanks to efforts from Jack Rudoni and Bobby Thomas.

Will Keane’s goal with eight minutes to go made it a nervy finale for the home side but they held on to secure a seventh victory in eight matches. Preston are 17th, 12 points above the relegation zone.

THE STREAK. IS OVER. pic.twitter.com/jC3DXwugvt

— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) February 22, 2025

Norwich City snapped a three-game winless streak to get their play-off chase back on track with a 4-2 victory at home to Stoke City, leaving their visitors in relegation trouble.

Lewis Dobbin opened the scoring for the Canaries midway through the first half, but Lewis Baker got Stoke back into it against the run of play in first-half stoppage time.

A second-half brace from Josh Sargent and an own goal from Junior Tchamadeu ensured three points for the hosts, however, before Baker scored a consolation from the penalty spot in the 97th minute.

Norwich are four points off the top six, while Stoke are just five points above the drop zone.

+3 pic.twitter.com/USsLbJquib

— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) February 22, 2025

Derby dropped to second-bottom in the table after losing 1-0 to Millwall with a 95th-minute goal. Josh Coburn tapped in from a breakaway for Millwall, who had a penalty saved in the 83rd minute, to help them climb to 10th.

John Eustace’s side are now four points from safety, having played a game more than fourth-bottom Cardiff City.

Full-time. pic.twitter.com/gyqGkqwmuc

— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) February 22, 2025

Portsmouth made it three wins on the bounce with a 2-1 victory over Queen’s Park Rangers at Fratton Park, which was also their eighth home win in 11.

Josh Murphy and Matt Ritchie did the damage for Pompey with two goals in three minutes at the start of the second half and, while Jimmy Dunne got one back later on for the hosts, they were able to hold on.

Portsmouth climb to 17th following the result, nine points above the bottom three, while QPR are 14th.

THREE IN A ROW. #Pompey pic.twitter.com/vWmG2hbtfF

— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) February 22, 2025