Woeful Sunderland Beaten Again By Norwich

Norwich City picked up their first win in the top flight since returning in a 3-1 away victory, a game which Sunderland fans, players and manager would much sooner forget.

Norwich City picked up their first win in the top flight since returning in a 3-1 away victory, a game which Sunderland fans, players and manager would much sooner forget.

Last season Sunderland were a complete pile of doings at times, which is why they got into trouble in the first place. This season, after just two games, the signs are there that the team could actually be worse than last time around.

In the first half, goals from defenders Russell Martin and Steven Whittaker sent Norwich on their way and by the time the second goal went in, it was clear that the Black Cats would see this game out for no reward.

That proved to be the case when the third goal from Nathan Redmond went in, in fact it caused a big part of the home fans to chant about Ellis Short, rather than the team.

There is very little quality being shown through the side, even though enthusiastic Duncan Watmore provided Sunderland’s high points of the game, including a late consolation goal.

Manager Dick Advocaat has his hands tied and there must be a part of his mind that wondered whether he had in fact done the right thing by coming back to the club and turning is back on a well earned retirement.

Norwich were more up for the game and looked that bit sharper from the kick off both up front and in defence, areas in which Sunderland are lacking.

The first goal came about when keeper Costel Pantilimon couldn’t hold onto the ball when saving a shot from Brady against Martin’s legs and into the back of the net.

In the 37th minute, the visitors grabbed a second when Whittaker played a one-two with Hoolahan to leave van Aanholt admiring his boots and fired past Pantilimon to make the score 2-0.

Sunderland left the field at half-time to a chorus of boos from the home fans which must have stirred the side slightly as Larsson had an effort on target early doors which was sadly, straight at the keeper.

But the third goal for Norwich came after 33 minutes, Hoolahan was involved again, this time he shared passes with Redmond who easily beat the keeper.

By now there was big gaps in the crowd as people had been leaving steadily for some time, but that didn’t stop young Watmore who had the energy and freshness to show that he could go onto bigger things and grabbed a consolation with two minutes of the game left.

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Jones, Coates, Kaboul, van Aanholt, Larsson (Graham 46), Cattermole, M`Vila, Lens, Fletcher (Watmore 70), Defoe.

Subs not used: Mannone, Bridcutt, Rodwell, Matthews, O`Shea

Norwich City: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Brady, Redmond (O`Neil 83), Tettey, Dorrans, Howson, Hoolahan (Johnson 62), Jerome (Grabban 68).

Subs not used: Rudd, Wisdom, Hooper, R Bennett

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

Attendance: 41,379.