Sunderland are taking a crucial 2-1 lead back to the Stadium of Light having not won against Coventry City since 2007. History may not have been on their side ahead of kick-off, but tonight they paid little attention to what's gone on before.
It was a message Regis Le Bris stressed in the build-up to the game and the Black Cats were good value for their win despite scary moments here and there.
The Wearsiders defended brilliantly throughout the 90 minutes and produced moments of magic when they needed it at the other end of the pitch.
Here are the key talking points from Sunderland's 2-1 win at the CBS Arena:
Bold Regis Le Bris set-up
"Also the different elements of our game style, just to become a little bit less predictable. I think after 46 games and a lot of video analysis, it's easy to understand what are the strengths and weaknesses of a team.
"So we wanted to open two or three different options, and a meeting on Wednesday morning was really important for this. Just a few subtle details that could make a difference."
They were the words of Le Bris at his pre-match press conference earlier this week as he hinted at a surprise up his sleeve for the first leg. The majority of those in attendance presumed that he was referring to personnel, not starting both Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor together in a 4-4-2.
Sunderland started with the duo up front together, with Mayenda occupying a more advanced role than the role Rigg has played in recent weeks. The Black Cats forwards were tasked with triggering the press and held their shape really well in the first 20 minutes or so before the game opened up.
The Spanish striker almost opened the scoring with a brilliant solo effort - akin to that goal at Bristol City just a few weeks ago - but that was Sunderland's only real clear-cut effort inside the opening 45 minutes.
The Black Cats defensive shape limited Coventry City to just one shot on target in the first half, which was blocked by Dan Ballard. Sunderland had just 25 per cent possession in the first half, something that needed to improve as the game wore on, and it did, but only just.
It was clear that Sunderland were hoping to hit Coventry on the counter and they did just that to open the scoring through Isidor. The Frenchman had been quiet but curved his run brilliantly to break the offside trap and get onto a Le Fee through ball, ending his goalscoring drought.
When Jack Rudoni equalised, Sunderland supporters may have feared the worst as the hosts started to turn the screw, but again the Black Cats showed their ruthlessness on the counter. Enzo Le Fee made Milan van Ewijk play a blind, underhit pass towards his own goal, which went straight into the path of Mayenda who rounded the goalkeeper and found the back of the net.
Brilliant composure and finish right at the death.
Brilliant Dan Ballard
It would be remiss not to mention Dan Ballard in the heart of defence for Sunderland tonight. His inclusion was one of the major decisions Le Bris had to make ahead of kick-off and boy did he justfy his selection.
The Northern Ireland international made 20 clearances on the night, 18 of those headers, winning 100 per cent of his aerial duels and ground duels.
Ballard was an absolute colossus in the heart of defence and a no-brainer for man-of-the-match.
Coventry City hoodoo - what hoodoo?
Sunderland had not won against Coventry City since February 2007 and not beaten the Sky Blues away from home since 1985 - the win tonight means that run comes to an end.
"If we want to be in the Premier League we have to break something!," Le Bris said in the build-up to the game. "We are ready to face the challenge, it will be tough, we know.
"We are excited by the challenge because we want to play these games and to write a new story you have to break something."
The tie may be far from over, but Le Bris got Sunderland's game plan spot on tonight.
