Awoniyi red card pile misery on Coventry as Brighton hit five

Taiwo Awoniyi’s red card proved a turning point as Coventry City suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Brighton, leaving them without a point or goal after four Premier League matches.

The Nottingham Forest loanee was sent off early in the second half for a flailing elbow on Brighton defender Maxim de Cuyper, leaving Coventry with 10 men and facing an uphill battle.

Coventry had remained competitive despite Brighton taking the lead through Charalampos Kostoulas in the 35th minute. But Awoniyi’s dismissal came just two minutes after Brighton had doubled their advantage.

Awoniyi sees red as Coventry lose control

Brighton extended their lead when Malick Yalcouye broke through the Coventry defence and calmly finished into the bottom corner.

Awoniyi’s dismissal followed soon after, with the forward shown a straight red card after catching De Cuyper with his elbow.

The sending-off left Frank Lampard’s side exposed, and Brighton quickly took advantage of their numerical superiority.

Bobby Thomas then brought down Kostoulas inside the box in the 70th minute, giving Pascal Gross the chance to convert from the penalty spot and put the visitors three goals ahead.

Brighton complete the rout

With Coventry unable to recover, Brighton continued to dominate.

Seagulls captain Lewis Dunk produced a superb 20-yard finish in the 83rd minute to make it 4-0 before Yasin Ayari completed the rout in stoppage time.

The defeat leaves Coventry bottom of the Premier League after four straight losses, with Lampard’s side yet to score in their return to the top flight.

Their start means Coventry have become only the second Premier League team to lose their opening four matches without scoring, after Crystal Palace in 2017-18.

For Brighton, meanwhile, the emphatic victory lifts Fabian Hurzeler’s side to fourth in the table.