Coventry City 2 Sunderland 1: Quinn launches new era with familiar result

"Fantastic for 70 minutes," was Niall Quinn's reaction after Sunderland launched a new era - in which he is both chairman and manager of the club - with an all-too familiar result yesterday. Not wishing to accentuate the negatives of the defeat by Coventry, especially after last season's seemingly endless sequence of Premiership defeats, the Irishman did not add what everyone else was thinking: "But terrible for the last 20."

In fact, it was a loss of concentration, lasting no more than a few seconds, which cost Sunderland dear on their return to the Championship. Having gone in front after half-time through Daryl Murphy, they had been pegged back by what Quinn hailed as a "world-class goal" from Stern John. Within minutes, however, their experienced defence were guilty of what he termed "switching off", allowing the outstanding Gary McSheffrey to hit "a give-away goal" for Coventry's winner.

For the 39-year-old Quinn, it was a continuation of a failing which undermined Sunderland repeatedly as Mick McCarthy toiled forlornly to prevent their relegation last season. "My players know, getting on to that coach, that there was a tiny lack of professionalism at a crucial moment late in the game, which has cost us again," he said. "It's a glitch that's in there that I've got to get out of this club very quickly."

There were 12 minutes remaining when Don Hutchison went to ground under an innocuous challenge. Sunderland's players argued that no foul had been committed, although Quinn said: "You're not going to hear me complaining about decisions - once it's given, I'm looking to my players to show professionalism and intelligence."

Instead, they turned their backs on the ball, leaving Hutchison free to play a quick free-kick to McSheffrey. As if that were not bad enough, they did exactly the same after the referee made Coventry retake it. Stephen Hughes rolled a near-identical pass to McSheffrey, and the Sky Blues' 17-goal leading scorer from last season demonstrated why Birmingham City are willing to pay more than £3.25m for him by swerving past Steven Caldwell before finding the far corner with a deflected shot.

"If Coventry had worked really hard for their second goal - if someone had beaten four players - I'd have held my hands up. But it was a give-away goal," sighed Quinn, before going on to claim that there were "positives" to take into Wednesday's visit of Birmingham.

One was the composed debut of his compatriot Kenny Cunningham in central defence, where he played with eight stitches in a facial wound after an accidental brush with Dele Adebola. Another was the alert finishing of Murphy, also a son of the Republic, who doubled his tally of senior goals by sliding the ball home from five yards after Coventry dealt poorly with Grant Leadbitter's corner kick.

But when the would-be saviour of the Stadium of Light spoke of Sunderland needing to "believe they are capable of winning", he put his finger on a problem that had its roots in McCarthy's final campaign. A few wins might change everything, as in all probability would some fresh blood, and Quinn pledged to add some "top players" to his squad.

Coventry are short of neither conviction nor new faces. Four of Micky Adams' 11 summer signings were on view, with Chris Birchall, the Trinidad & Tobago midfielder recruited from Port Vale last Friday, catching the eye.

But the introduction of the cunning Hutchison for the brute force of Adebola began to loosen Sunderland's grip, and Coventry equalised within four minutes of his arrival. John, putting behind him a barren World Cup alongside Birchall, turned Cunningham before curling a fine left-footed shot beyond Ben Alnwick from 18 yards.

Quinn felt Sunderland could go on and take three points, only for McSheffrey's opportunism to dash his hopes. It may have been the attacker's parting shot, although Adams, after wondering whether Birmingham would ever "get the hint", admitted every player had his price.

Goals: Murphy (52) 0-1; John (71) 1-1; McSheffrey (78) 2-1.

Coventry City (4-4-2): Marshall; McNamee, Heath, E Ward, Hall; Birchall (Thornton, 74), Hughes, Doyle, McSheffrey (Whing, 86); John, Adebola (Hutchison, 67). Substitutes not used: Steele (gk), Tabb.

Sunderland (4-4-2): Alnwick; Delap, Cunningham, Caldwell, Collins; Miller, Leadbitter (Kyle, 81), Whitehead, Lawrence; S Elliott, Murphy (Stead, 77). Substitutes not used: D Ward (gk), Wright, R Elliott.

Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).

Booked: Coventry City Hughes; Sunderland Lawrence.

Man of the match: McSheffrey.

Attendance: 22,366.