Abdoullah Ba’s first goal in red and white gave Sunderland all three points and ended a four-match winless run.
Sunderland got off to a great start with Ba’s first-half strike which gave the lads the lead at the break. The lads defended brilliantly in the second half to seal the win and a brilliant response to the Stoke thrashing.
Tony Mowbray had to deal with more injury problems, with Aji Alese the latest to be ruled out long-term. Amad and Alex Pritchard were both ruled out with minor injuries, resulting in returns for Edouard Michut and Ba to the midfield.
Sunderland’s were looking to end a stretch of poor form and the season on a high but faced a Norwich side unbeaten in their last five and looking to get into the playoffs.
Sunderland had an early sighter after some good pressing by Luke O’Nien, the makeshift full-back found Ba who slipped it through to Joe Gelhardt, but the forward’s effort was tame.
Norwich had their first effort through Max Aarons. The full-back found himself in acres of space in the box but with the angle against him, Anthony Patterson saved well.
The hosts were just creeping into the game when Sunderland went up the field brilliantly with Roberts and Gelhardt, who then found Ba on the edge of the box. The young Frenchman expertly found the corner past Angus Gunn.
Sunderland were buoyed by the goal and missed a glorious chance to make it two; Dan Neil picked out Gelhardt clean through on goal, he looked destined to score but hit it straight at Gunn.
Danny Batth was next to have a chance in quick succession, Clarke whipped in a wicked ball, but the centre half couldn’t direct his header.
Sunderland’s first-half performance was the polar opposite of the game against Stoke last weekend, the only disappointment was that it was only 1-0
Mowbray will have been pleased with the start to the second half, the lads looked confident on the ball and Patrick Roberts was starting to dazzle on the ball.
Sunderland had a great chance to double the lead, on the break, Gelhardt released Clarke but Grant Hanley managed to track back and get a vital block.
The second half wasn’t much of a spectacle, but that was fine from a Sunderland perspective. The Black Cats were seeing the game out well by defending expertly and slowing the game down at every opportunity.
Full Time: Norwich City 0-1 Sunderland AFC
ALS Man of the Match: Danny Batth
Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, Batth, O'Nien, Michut (Ekwah 66’), Neil, Roberts, Ba (Gooch 67’), Clarke, Gelhardt (Lihadji 79’).
Subs Not Used: Bass, Bennette, Anderson, Taylor.
