Sunderland victory drags Norwich into relegation scrap

Sunderland dragged Norwich deep into the relegation dogfight with a 3-0 Premier League victory at Carrow Road.

Goals from Fabio Borini, the prolific Jermain Defoe and Duncan Watmore gave the Black Cats a win which brings them just one point behind their opponents with a game in hand.

Norwich created the better of the early chances but were rocked on their heels four minutes before the break when a clumsy challenge from Andre Wisdom on Borini in the box left Andre Marriner with little choice but to point to the spot.

The home side continued to press but were caught out again after the break when Defoe tapped home Borini’s cross following a mistake from Sebastien Bassong.

Substitute Watmore made sure in stoppage time, shooting home from a tight angle to cement victory and bring Sunderland on to 30 points in 18th place - one shy of Norwich and two ahead of Newcastle, who beat Swansea later on Saturday.

The Sunderland boss was in feisty mood before kick-off and continued during the match, getting involved in a touchline melee after four minutes.

Jermain Defoe (Sunderland) Made clever runs off the Norwich defence all afternoon and grabbed his 10th away goal in 14 appearances.

Norwich: Ruddy 6; Wisdom 5, Bennett 6, Bassong 5, Olsson 6; Jarvis 6, Howson 6, O'Neil 6, Brady 7; Naismith 6; Mbokani 6. SUBS: Redmond 7.

Sunderland: Mannone 7, Yedlin 6, van Aanholt 6, Kaboul 6, Kone 7, Kirchhoff 6, M'Vila 6, Cattermole 7, Borini 7, Khazri 6, Defoe 8. SUBS: Watmore 7.

4’ – TOUCHLINE MELEE: Brady sends Yedlin clattering into the hoarding and it all boils over with several players, and Sunderland manager Sam Alardyce, getting involved.

27’ – MANNONE DOUBLE SAVE: He reacts well to keep out Kaboul’s deflection from Jarvis’ cross before tipping Olsson’s volley over the bar from the subsequent corner.

41’ – GOAL! Norwich City 0-1 Sunderland: A clumsy challenge from Wisdom on Borini leaves Andre Marriner with little choice and the striker gets off the floor to put the Black Cats ahead.

53’ – GOAL! Norwich City 0-2 Sunderland: A terrible mistake from Bassong is pounced upon by Kirchoff. He feeds Borini, who crosses to Defoe to tap home.

90’ – GOAL! Norwich City 0-3 Sunderland: Watmore latches onto larsson’s excellent pass, to round Ruddy and finish from a tight angle

Norwich have conceded nine penalties in the Premier League this season, the highest tally in the division.

Sunderland have scored each of their last 17 penalties in the Premier League, last missing one in December 2011.

Only Sunderland in 2007/08 and Bradford in 1999/2000 (9) have conceded more penalty goals in a Premier League season than Norwich this season (8).

Jermain Defoe has now scored 10 goals in 14 Premier League away appearances this season for Sunderland. Defoe has scored or assisted in four of his last five PL games v Norwich (two goals, two assists).

Sunderland won at Carrow Road for the first time since March 1985, having gone 10 games without a win there since.

Duncan Watmore has scored in both Premier League games against Norwich this season, both times as a substitute.