Sunderland 0-2 Brentford: Chris Coleman's relegation woes continue

Sunderland passed up the chance to boost their Sky Bet Championship survival hopes as Brentford won 2-0 on their first ever visit to the Stadium of Light.The Bees secured the three points courtesy of two first-half goals and a solid opening 45 minutes, leaving the struggling Black Cats with a mountain to climb after the interval.Brentford capitalised on Sunderland's woeful start by following up Kamo Mokotjo's 14th-minute opener with a second goal in the 28th minute through striker Neal Maupay. Kamo Mokotjo opened the scoring for Brentford in the 14th minute as Sunderland lose at home Emiliano Marcondes of Brentford celebrates securing all three points at the Stadium of Light RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Brighton 3-1 Coventry: Debut goal for club-record star... Wolves miss chance to extend lead at top of the Championship... Fulham 2-0 Aston Villa: Ryan Sessegnon and Floyd Ayite on... Wolves face FA probe over links to super agent Jorge Mendes  Share this article Share The latest defeat for Sunderland - who have won just two of their last 26 matches on Wearside - left Chris Coleman's side three points adrift of safety, having played a game more than fourth-bottom Hull.Brentford had lost touch with the play-off places in recent weeks, winning just two of their previous seven matches and losing four of those, but this win will have restored hope.Manager Dean Smith's frustrations had grown, although nothing like what has been felt on Wearside this season, and Sunderland manager Coleman was desperate to see a positive performance on the back of last weekend's dramatic 3-3 draw at Bristol City.The Welshman introduced Aiden McGeady and Ethan Robson to his starting line-up and switched to a four-man defence.The tactics failed to have the desired effect because, for the second week in a row, Sunderland had it all to do after the break. Neal Maupay (left) doubled the lead for the visitors before the half-hour mark on Saturday Saturday's defeat leaves Chris Coleman's Black Cats three points adrift of safetyThe visitors were on the front foot from the first whistle, forcing four corners in as many minutes in the hope of increasing the tension among the home fans. It worked.Ollie Watkins and Henrik Dalsgaard had already been denied by goalkeeper Lee Camp, the second a fantastic chance that was directed straight at him, before the opener arrived.Maupay held the ball up, spotted Mokotjo lurking in space and the midfielder's low driven first-time shot from 20 yards rolled inside Camp's bottom-left corner.Republic of Ireland international McGeady had an effort held by David Bentley, but Sunderland disappointed across the pitch.Maupay was the scorer of the second when he cleverly flicked a Watkins low delivery from the right inside Camp's near post. Brentford found far too much space in the Sunderland half throughout.The hosts did have a couple of moments before the break. George Honeyman hit the crossbar on the stroke of half-time and