Sunderland failed to turn second-half domination into goals as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Norwich City's Carrow Road this afternoon.
It took the home team just eight minutes to break the deadlock with what was the first meaningful effort on goal from either side. Robert Snodgrass sent over a free kick which appeared to strike the hand of Sunderland defender Carlos Cuellar. Before the referee could blow for the infringement though centre-back Sebastien Bassong stole in to prod the ball past Simon Mignolet.
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Sunderland's first shot at goal came in the 28th minute when Danny Rose saw his low effort from the edge of the area held by Mark Bunn in the Norwich goal.
The hosts were still in control though and they doubled their advantage with 36 minutes on the clock. Bradley Johnson lofted through a pass for Anthony Pilkington, who got into the Sunderland box and turned Cuellar before curling the ball beyond the reach of Mignolet.
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However, just when it looked as though Chris Hughton's side were going to take a comfortable lead into the break, Craig Gardner found the net for the Black Cats. The former Aston Villa midfielder inherited possession 20 yards from goal and he beat Bunn with a low drive via the upright.
Gardner's goal handed his side the initiative at the start of the second half and they began to dominate their hosts.
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They should have been on level terms in the 57th minute when Gardner's free kick from distance struck the post. The rebound dropped to Sunderland centre-back Matt Kilgallon, who had an open goal to aim at. He failed to rearrange his feet quickly enough though and only succeeded in sending the ball over the crossbar.
It was then Stephane Sessegnon's turn to try and equalise for Sunderland, but his rising shot from inside the area with 63 minutes gone was blocked by Bunn.
With 14 minutes remaining substitute Connor Wickham did find the net for Sunderland, but his joy was short lived as the referee's assistant had flagged the former Ipswich Town striker offside.
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Martin O'Neill's side continued to press forward in search of a levelling goal, but they were unable to find a route past Bunn.
The result means that Norwich have moved up to 12th in the Premier League table, while Sunderland stay 17th.
Liam Apicella
