Sunderland 1 - 3 Norwich
Russell Martin strike sets Norwich on path to crushing win at Sunderland
Home team scorersDuncan Watmore 88
Away team scorersRussell Martin 26
Steven Whittaker 37
Nathan Redmond 57
Nathan Redmond scores for Norwich against Sunderland in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light
When the fixture list came out Dick Advocaat would have faniced Sunderland’s chances of having six points by now but something looks seriously amiss amid a side which requires a radical rebuild. Yann M’Vila has arrived, on loan from Rubin Kazan, but the sometime France midfielder was less than combative alongside the similarly subdued Lee Cattermole in an insipid central midfield. Sent off for a headbutt in the reserves last week, M’Vila became unwisely involved in a second-half altercation with Graham Dorrans, raising his hands to midfielder and giving him a shove in an incident the referee opted to look leniently upon.
There was nothing remotely relaxed about an impressive Norwich, who belied their newly promoted status with a calm, poised assurance and incision, epitomised by Robbie Brady and the excellent Nathan Redmond. They are unlikely to meet many opponents as poor as Sunderland but, even so, Alex Neil should be extremely proud of his Canaries.
Initially tentative, their passing gradually became a little sharper, a little more ambitious. When, at the end of a move stemming from Cattermole’s concession of possession, Brady’s delicate lay-off picked out Jonny Howson, the midfielder unleashed the crispest of shots which a stretching Costel Pantilimon did well to turn away.
After initiating the ensuing short corner routine, Brady attempted a shot of his own which Pantilimon could merely parry. The ball cannoned into Russell Martin before ricocheting off his leg and into the back of the net. Granted Pantilimon might have done better but he received no assistance from an alarmingly immobile defence.
No matter that Martin cannot have known much about it, Norwich’s lead was just about merited. Courtesy of some most hospitable defending on the part of Patrick van Aanholt and the, once again, wretched Younes Kaboul, Neil’s side wasted little time in doubling it.
Steven Whittaker had advanced from right back with real purpose but even he cannot have expected to sashay beyond Advocaat’s left back and left-sided central defender with such consummate ease before shooting unerringly into the bottom corner. Not that Van Aanholt and Kaboul were the only guilty men; the supposedly ferocious M’Vila could have done more to extinguish the danger earlier in the move’s preamble.
More atrocious defending was to follow from Kaboul and company. Indeed Sunderland were lucky not to fall further behind when Cameron Jerome’s connection with a Redmond cross resulted in the forward shooting fractionally over the bar. Another Wearside scare came as, shortly before half time, Redmond’s clever nutmeg wrong-footed Advocaat’s backline and permitted Dorrans to extend his left boot and send a shot whizzing narrowly wide.
The interval was greeted by an all too familiar soundtrack from last season here: wholesale booing. Admittedly, minutes earlier Steven Fletcher’s header from a Jeremain Lens cross had flown only marginally off target but generally there had been little for home fans to cheer. Lens, meanwhile, was arguably a little fortunate to still be on the pitch after generous refereeing saw him avoid the collection of a second yellow card.
Advocaat response was to replace a midfielder with a forward, sending Danny Graham out for the second half in place of Sebastian Larsson. Unfazed, Neil’s side responded by extending their lead and leaving Sunderland falling three goals behind for a second Saturday in succession.
An exercise in “playing between the lines” – something Sunderland cannot seem to master – it was a slick, subtle, skilful goal featuring a delightful exchange of passes between Wes Hoolahan and Redmond on the edge of the box before Redmond’s shot eluded Pantilimon.
It proved the cue for quite a few fans to rise from their seats and head for the exits. Those Sunderland supporters that remained attempted to drop a hint to the club’s owner. “Are you watching Ellis Short?” they chorused. Short already has – incredibly – the eighth highest wage bill in the Premier League and is worried about financial fair play. But with Advocaat’s squad clearly in need of major surgery significant investment is surely needed if relegation is to be avoided.
A rare ray of home sunshine saw Sunderland debutant Duncan Watmore reduce the deficit with a half volley following a free kick but by then the contest was long since over.
Guardian
