Sunderland edge closer to play-off places with win at Norwich
The success marks the Black Cats’ first victory in five matches, as the Mackems continue to dream of a first appearance in the Premier League (PL) since 2017.
With only the top three sides in the division tallying more strikes in the goalscoring charts than the Canaries’ 51, the in-form hosts started Sunday’s midday contest in assertive fashion as visiting goalkeeper Anthony Patterson denied the marauding right-back Max Aarons.
Nonetheless, it was Sunderland - hoping to bounce back from a humiliating 5-1 home defeat to Stoke City - who broke the deadlock on the stroke of the quarter-hour mark as Abdoullah Ba fired a perfectly-struck effort past Angus Gunn for his first goal for the club.
Not content with the one-goal advantage, the Black Cats should have doubled their lead almost immediately after the restart. However, this time, Gunn was able to come to the rescue for the hosts, as the Canaries’ number one emerged victorious from his one-on-one duel with Joe Gelhardt.
Seeking a third PL promotion in the last five seasons, Norwich manager David Wagner turned to the substitutes bench during the HT interval as top scorer Josh Sargent made his return for the hosts after missing the previous three matches due to a problematic ankle injury.
With only Middlesbrough finding the back of the net away from home on more occasions than Sunderland's 29 this season, the Black Cats should have doubled their advantage in the 59th minute, only for Leeds United loanee Gelhardt to fluff his lines in front of goal after Gunn could only parry Jack Clarke’s fearsome strike.
Sunderland remained relatively untroubled by their goal-shy hosts for the remainder of the contest as the victory registered a hat-trick of H2H away successes for Sunderland at Carrow Road.
Meanwhile, Norwich City suffered a blow in their attempt to unlock the Championship cage at the first time of asking, having suffered their first defeat in six matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Abdoullah Ba (Sunderland)
