It might lack the technical brilliance of the Champions League or the breathtaking athleticism of the Premier League, but nothing beats the Championship play-offs for tension and drama.

With the tie between Coventry and Sunderland creeping towards a draw, Milan van Ewijk underhit a backpass and sent Eliezer Mayenda racing clear. The Sunderland forward made no mistake and the Wearsiders are now favourites to reach the final, where they will almost certainly face Sheffield United.

Even before that moment, it had been a match rich in subplots. In the blue corner, we had Frank Lampard, trying to win his first promotion as a manager, with Coventry. In the red, a Sunderland side who arrived in the play-offs after five straight defeats but defended courageously and took a second-half lead through Wilson Isidor.

These clubs have a unlikely rivalry dating back to the 1976/77 season, when Sunderland were relegated by a draw between Coventry and Bristol City, who both needed a point to be safe. Sunderland cried foul and have sought revenge ever since. Going to Wembley at Coventry’s expense would be particularly sweet.

Powered on by a deafening home crowd, Coventry won three early corners but found Sunderland in stubborn mood – though the visitors survived a scare in the fifth minute.

Sunderland won 2-1 at Coventry City in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final

Eliezer Mayenda hit the winning goal in the 88th minute at the Coventry Building Society Arena

Frank Lampard’s side have it all to do ahead of Tuesday’s second leg at the Stadium of Light

Jay Dasilva headed back into the danger zone and goalkeeper Anthony Patterson flapped wildly, causing the ball to run loose. Luckily for Sunderland, neither Haji Wright nor Brandon Thomas-Asante could take advantage and Trai Hume hammered it clear.

From there the pattern was set. With Jobe Bellingham, younger brother of Jude, working hard alongside Dan Neil in central midfield, Sunderland allowed Coventry to make the running and Frank Lampard’s side lacked guile at key moments.

Though they forced five corners before the break, and Milan van Ewijk’s long throw-ins meant Sunderland always had to be alert, clear chances were few. From one of Van Ewijk’s deliveries, Ben Sheaf shanked wide from an excellent position inside the box. Moments later, the volume in the away rose as Eliezer Mayenda spun Liam Kitching on halfway and charged for the Coventry goal.

Held up by Liam Kitching and Matt Grimes, the Sunderland forward was still able to unleash a shot but it did not test Ben Wilson. The disjointed nature of the half was summed up when Bellingham, clearly a talented player, hoofed the ball blind into the opposition half.

Coventry had struggled to bring their wide men Wright and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto into the game. Sakamoto is a highly skilful player who lacks the pace to beat his man on the outside. Wright can do just that and when he drove for the byline and cut it back, Sheaf’s effort was blocked superbly by Daniel Ballard.

In came the crosses, the corners, the throw-ins. Again and again, a Sunderland head was the first to meet it. The home crowd were growing edgy and began to berate Regis Le Bris’ side for timewasting when they dawdled over restarts.

At his best, Enzo Le Fee is an elegant footballer yet on the left of Sunderland’s 4-4-2, the Frenchman resembled a toy boat on a stormy sea, overwhelmed by the physicality around him. His team-mates can certainly handle themselves though and they were in little serious danger before the break, with Grimes volley into the crowd encapsulating Coventry’s frustrations.

Wilson Isidor opened the scoring for Sunderland midway through the second half on Friday

Jack Rudoni headed Coventry level before the home side fell to a late defeat on home soil

Coventry persisted with the plan early in the second half as Dasilva did well to wriggle free on the left and cross for Thomas-Asante, who headed well over. From the latest corner, the ball broke to the edge of the box and Sakamoto smashed it high and wide. Hume did no better at the other end, choosing to hit first time rather than take a touch when Le Fee picked him out at the far post. Then Jack Rudoni forced another Coventry corner with a deflected effort from 20 yards.

As bodies and minds tired, players made mistakes and spaces started to open. Bellingham’s strike from 12 yards was blocked by his own player and seconds later the Sunderland man tried to win a penalty under pressure from Dasilva.

Midway through the half, delight for Sunderland. Le Fee’s pass from deep carved the Sky Blues’ defence open and Isidor’s strike flew through the hands of Ben Wilson and into the far corner.

They had little time to celebrate. Coventry regrouped, Van Ewijk darted down the right and Rudoni met his cross perfectly for 1-1. But then came Van Ewijk’s howler and Mayenda’s unerring finish.