Norwich 1-0 Sunderland

Have your say on the 606 pages

Damien Francis got the goal as Norwich recorded a seventh consecutive home win with victory over 10-man Sunderland at Carrow Road.

The summer signing from Wimbledon drilled home from the edge of the box in the 33rd minute.

Scotland international striker Kevin Kyle saw a header come back off the woodwork 10 minutes after the break.

And Sunderland's hopes of getting back into the game suffered a blow 20 minutes from time when John Oster was sent off by referee Graham Poll for lashing out at Norwich captain Adam Drury.

Norwich, who moved into third with the win, made a bright start and visiting goalkeeper Mart Poom was called into action to save a Peter Crouch header from a Marc Edworthy cross.

Sunderland, who went into the game unbeaten in seven matches, responded and Marcus Stewart saw a close-range effort saved by Robert Green.

Crouch then produced a neat lob which Poom was equal to as the game swung from end to end.

Francis saw a 18-yard volley clutched by Poom before Stewart and Crouch traded further half-chances.

Sunderland setback

But Norwich went ahead when Paul McVeigh's corner was only cleared as far as Francis on the edge of the box and he unleashed a fierce drive into the back of the net.

It was the first goal conceded in 434 minutes by Sunderland they hit back immediately with Green needing to be alert to keep out Julio Arca's drive.

The visitors came out flying after the break and Stewart tested Green early on.

Mick McCarthy's side nearly levelled 10 minutes into the second half but Kyle saw his header from John Oster's cross come back off the woodwork.

Darren Huckerby, back in the Norwich side after being sidelined by an ankle injury for the last two games, then had an effort saved by Poom before Crouch headed over.

Sunderland suffered a setback 20 minutes from time when Oster was sent off - and Norwich held on for the three points.

---

Norwich: Green, Edworthy, Mackay, Fleming, Drury, Harper, Francis, Holt, McVeigh, Huckerby, Crouch. Subs: Lewis, Mulryne, Jarvis, Roberts, Rivers.

Sunderland: Poom, Williams, Breen, McCartney, Arca, Oster, Whitley, Healy, Tommy Smith, Stewart, Kyle. Subs: Ingham, Clark, Proctor, Quinn, Bjorklund.

Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).