Norwich City 1-3 Sunderland
Sunderland played their first Championship away game since 2007 on Sunday as Simon Grayson’s men went head to head with Norwich City.
And it was two former Canaries who stole the show, as James Vaughan and two-goal Lewis Grabban led from the front to secure a first Sky Bet Championship win of the season.
Aiden McGeady also impressed and his wonder goal topped off an impressive display, as Grayson’s side made it three games unbeaten at the start of the campaign.
- As it happened: Grabban brace helps defeat Canaries
- Manager's view: Grayson on Norwich win
- Gallery: Action shots from Carrow Road
- McGeady: I was expecting Catts to volley it...
- Highlights: Norwich City 1-3 Sunderland
GRAYSON REVERTS TO RAMS
Grayson reverted to the same side that faced Derby County with Lee Cattermole and Billy Jones returning to the starting XI after missing the midweek win over Bury. Lamine Kone also returned as match-winner George Honeyman retained his place. Norwich, meanwhile started with three at the back as captain Russell Martin featured alongside German summer signings Marcel Franke and Christoph Zimmermann, as James Husband and Yanic Wildschut started in the wing-back berths. Cameron Jerome led the line and he caused problems early on, with the powerful striker forcing the Black Cats backline into action before Grabban saw a shot blocked in an all-action opening.
WEATHERING THE STORM
Norwich were unquestionably quicker out of the blocks and Sunderland were forced onto the back foot for much of the opening 20 minutes. James Maddison saw a free-kick deflect behind and the Black Cats struggled to shackle Steven Naismith in the number 10 role as Jerome kept Kone and Browning on their toes with a number of surging runs. Grabban then fired into the side netting after being released by Vaughan, but the Canaries continued to break forward in numbers as Wildschut crashed to the ground inside the area and the referee waved play on. Jerome then found the back of the net after again linking with Naismith, but the offside flag was raised miles in advance and it parity remained.
LEWIS GRABS HIS CHANCE
But it didn’t remain for long. Moments after Maddison sent a tame effort wide, a towering header from Vaughan flicked on a long ball forward from Jason Steele and Grabban was on it in a flash. The striker took one touch before poking the ball beyond Angus Gunn and into the net, sending the travelling red and white army into raptures. Norwich responded well and continued to have the better of the play despite falling behind, but unlike Grabban they were unable to apply the finishing touch, as Jerome sent a free header crashing over from eight yards. And before the break Sunderland could have doubled their lead, with Honeyman’s flick grasped by Gunn before McGeady’s teasing free-kick whistled across the face of goal.
MCGEADY MAGIC
The second period continued in a similar fashion as Norwich dominated possession and Sunderland defended resolutely. Farke’s side were fluid from back to front but once again they lacked the killer instinct to draw level, as Martin failed to hit the target from a free header at the back post. And they were made to pay within minutes. A Honeyman corner was cleared straight to Lee Cattermole who teed the ball up for McGeady, and the winger’s finish was phenomenal as it nestled into the top corner and left Gunn rooted to the spot. Norwich once again searched for a route back into their game and they create further chances, but it soon became clear that it was Sunderland’s day as Grabban powered a header into the net following a stunning cross from that man McGeady with 72 minutes played.
GRANSTAND FINALE
With Sunderland seemingly plain sailing, the Canaries were handed a route back into the game when Grabban inadvertently put the ball into his own net. The striker didn’t know too much about it but it changed the complexion of the encounter, with Farke’s side sensing that a second could lead to an unlikely comeback. And they almost got it on 83 minutes, as Steele was forced into action before Martin slammed the rebound against the outside of the post. Grayson called on reinforcements to see out the game as Lynden Gooch and John O’Shea entered the fray, and the Black Cats held firm as a last-ditch block from Kone denied Marley Watkins in the final seconds.
Attendance:
Referee: Andrew Madley
Norwich City: Gunn, Husband, Reed, Martin, Zimmermann, Naismith (Hoolahan 77), Jerome (Oliveira 67), Watkins, Wildschut (Murphy 60), Maddison, Franke.
Subs not used: McGovern, Pinto, Vrancic, Tettey.
Sunderland: Steele, Jones, Browning, Kone, Galloway, Cattermole (Gibson 73), Ndong, Honeyman, McGeady (Gooch 84), Grabban (O’Shea 86), Vaughan.
Subs: Khazri, Matthews, Ruiter, Asoro.