Norwich survived a second half storm from Sunderland at Carrow Road to continue their magnificent run of form of eight games unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League.
Chris Hughton's men more or less bossed the first half and were well worth their half time lead but the Black Cats bombarded the hosts' goal for most of the second period.
Martin O'Niell will take heart from his side's second half performance but does little to ease the nerves as they are only one point above the relegation zone with a game in hand.
The Canaries started brightly and took the lead on eight minutes when former Newcastle centre back Sebastian Bassong got on the end of a free kick and poked the ball home from close range.
Sunderland were on the back foot for most of the first half (with their only serious effort a Danny Rose dipping shot straight at Mark Bunn) and barely threatened while the home side constantly pressed forward.
The inevitable second goal came eight minutes before half time where after a long ball from Bradley Johnson, Anthony Pilkington did brilliantly to ease past Carlos Cuellar and produced a clinical and composed finish past the massively exposed Simon Mingolet.
The visitors struck back just before the interval with a goal that looked extremely unlikely and probably undeserved. Adam Johnson passed to Craig Gardner and the midfielder struck well from just outside the penalty area to give the visiting supporters hope.
After what was most likely a much changed team talk at half time, Sunderland's players came out understandably lifted by Gardner's goal and looked a completely different side in the second period.
Connor Wickham came on for Steven Fletcher who picked up a knock as O'Niell tried to inject some life in his team.
A whole host of chances came their way but the best chance - and arguably one of the misses of the season - came on the hour mark when Gardner's curling free kick hit the right post and the ball fall to centre back Matthew Kilgallon. From about 10 yards, he shot just over the crossbar in front of an empty net with Bunn beaten.
The Black Cats did have the ball in the back of the net from Wickham, but the linesman correctly ruled out the goal for offside.
Although on the back foot for most of the half, Norwich had a few decent chances to seal the win. Pilkington did well to take curling effort at goal with Mingolet's save keeping it out.
And when they had to defend, they got bodies in the way at many opportunites to deny the visitors a second goal their play deserved.
Sunderland still had other opportunties to level, one of which was for Stephane Sessegnon when he did well to break past the home defence but could only force a good save from Bunn.
Despite their worrying position in the league table, O'Niell will be delighted with his side's second half display. It is the spirit they will need ahead of a tricky December including fixtures against Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City and Tottenham.
No comments:
Post a Comment