Match Review 2011 - 2012

The Norwich faithful have made another long away trip this season to watch their inform team play another inform team in Sunderland. Norwich were unbeaten in the previous 6 games in league and cup, so the 800+ travelling fans will be full in both voice and confidence. Remember, Norwich won 2-1 in September, with Morison getting the winning goal on that night.

Paul Lambert put out a strong team tonight, with Morison, Johnson, Ruddy, Surman and Naughton all returning after being rested for the 2-1 win against West Brom 4 days ago. Another piece of good news for Norwich fans is the return of Elliot Ward who starts on the bench after being sidelined since May after surgery on his knee. James Vaughan has to wait for his chance to fully return from injury, with the prognosis being very good. Young Rudd is replaced again because of injury, by the even younger Steer, who had a very impressive debut at the weekend.

Sunderland have been very bright in the league since Martin O’Neil arrived at the beginning of December. O’Neil’s squad has been boosted by the signing of Wayne Bridge, who starts on the bench tonight since his loan move from Manchester City. Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who joined from Wolfsburg, did not feature as he was not signed in time. Frazier Campbell started after scoring on his return when coming on as a substitute against Middlesbrough at the weekend to force a replay. Ex-Ipswich starlet Connor Wickham has to settle for a place on the bench after picking up a knock in their cup tie.

Sunderland started the brighter with Campbell and Larsson both pressing down on Ruddy, threatening to break the deadlock at an early stage of the match. However, Norwich showed their resilience in defence with Whitbread, Ayala and Johnson all getting back to defend.

At the other end, Holt and Morison both tested the Sunderland back four, with Surman getting involved, only to blaze his shot over the crossbar. The ball then went straight down to the other end of the pitch, with a free kick being given away cheaply by Norwich.

The Yellow army are here in their numbers, with the sound of "On The Ball City" reverberating around the very empty Stadium of Light. Disappointing to see an empty stadium, especially when both clubs give good games, and are in inspiring form. 

The Sunderland team appeared to be very attacking, with the 10 outfield players all getting involved with their advances down the pitch. Even though there was an impressive bit of play by the Black Cats, play was halted as Gardner was shown the first yellow card of the game for not stopping, and barging Whitbread down the ground.

The first goal came from a quick throw-in from Richardson to McClean, who casually flicked it over the defence to Campbell to send the ball rocketing over Ruddy in the Norwich goal. Nothing he could have done to stop it. 

More bright play from Sunderland, both in defence and attack lead to their second goal of the night. Sessegnon playing a smart ball to the wing, to have the ball placed to the middle of the box, with Sessegnon scoring with a thumping header. 2-0 Sunderland after 28 minutes.

However, Norwich failed to reply this time with an example of their break away force, with Sunderland regaining possession from Hoolahan, only for him to give away a foul on Gardner. Norwich then started to pick up on their defending, with Martin getting back to clear another Sunderland attack. Campbell then thought he scored again, only to be denied by both woodwork and the offside flag.

After the 35 minute mark, the Canaries picked up their act, looking more solid in the back and in midfield. Naughton and Martin both were getting involved as they pressed from their full back positions to help the Norwich attack, with Martins final shot going wide of the left hand post of Mignolet's goal. 

With half time approaching, with the thought of facing an onslaught from Lambert in the dressing room, Norwich then became livelier with the ball, with it being played forwards with more oomph and accuracy. The defence then came alive, as they stopped another attack from Sunderland, with Naughton getting the ball up to Morison who ran it from the half way line, only to be given a goal kick for his efforts. The Norwich fans up on Tyneside almost had something to cheer about towards the end of the half, when the ball was played across the pitch and into the box, only for the play to be blown up for a foul on O'Shea by Holt. 2-0 Halftime score.

The second half started with the teams as they were, with no substitutions coming on. Sunderland came out flying with the ball down the Norwich end within seconds. However, Norwich must had been giving something at half time as they had a promising bit of play down the Sunderland end, and almost got a goal, only to give the back to Sunderland. 

Sunderland then caught Norwich on the counter attack, with Richardson getting the ball out of their area and down to the Norwich box for Larsson's shot to be saved by the hands of Ruddy. Sunderland made nothing of the resulting corner.

Norwich defended well, with clearance after clearance being made by the likes of Ayala, Crofts and Martin getting the ball out. Sunderland, however, still appeared to be the better side, even though Norwich had a good opportunity from a corner, but the resulting counter attack resulted in the  third goal of the night.

The ball was kept well between the Sunderland midfield, with Bardsley getting the shot in which came off the leg of Ayala. The goal was given as an own goal, but this didn't stop the Norwich faithful signing at the top of their voice. The players on the pitch looked sluggish at this point, but they didn't let their heads drop.

Back down at the Norwich end, Sunderland almost had a fourth, with Bardsley getting involved again, putting a low ball across the area, only for it to be missed by two players, Campbell and McClean. 

On the 63rd minute, Morison almost made the most of a fantastic opportunity, with Hoolahan crossing the ball only for the Norwich number 5 putting one of his trademark headers wide of the post. This also saw the introduction of Pilkington and Bennett for Hoolahan and Johnson.

Sunderland had most of the ball again for the minutes which followed, but with Norwich having some exciting bouts of possession within this, with Pilkington looking fresh down the left wing, speeding down towards the Sunderland goal. Ji Dong-Won came on for Campbell on the 74th minute, with Campbell coming off to a large round of applause.

Both Norwich substitutes looked bright after coming on, both inspiring good bits of play down their respective wings. 

The 78th minute saw the introduction of Wilbraham on for Grant holt, with the 6"3'striker getting involved straight away. With all 3 Norwich subs on the pitch, we now looked fresh and ready to give Sunderland a fight at last.

81st minute saw the replacement Sessegnon with Meyler and Richardson came off for their new signing Bridge. The Sunderland fans then started to go all Brazil on us, cheering at every touch they had, and booing every Norwich one!!

Norwich then had 2 corners in quick succession, but nothing came of them, apart from the second yellow of the night, awarded to Naughton for a heavy foul on Ji. 

3 minutes of added time an offside for Sunderland, but even more attacking play, with them looking like they wanted to really kill us off. On the 93rd minute, the final whistle blew, and Norwich's unbeaten runs came to an end, with the friendship trophy going to Sunderland on the night.

Sunderland team:

Mignolet (GK), Bardsley, Turner, Richardson (Bridge – 82’), O’Shea, Larsson, Gardner, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon (Meyler – 82’), Campbell (Ji Dong-Won – 74’) Subs: Westwood (GK), Bridge, Meyler, Elmohamady, Wickham, Ji Dong-Won, Lynch

Norwich team:

Ruddy (GK), Martin, Whitbread, Naughton, Ayala, Johnson (Bennett – 62’), Crofts, Surman, Hoolahan (Pilkington – 62’), Morison, Holt (Wilbraham – 78’) Subs: Steer (GK), Ward, Pilkington, Fox, Bennett, Jackson, Wilbraham

-          We didn’t give up trying to break down Sunderland.

-          The 3 subs brightened up our performance for the last half an hour or so.

-          The Norwich Faithful never gave up on our team, as per usual

-          Gave the ball away to easily where it mattered.

-          Couldn’t finish in areas where it was necessary, for example Surman in the first half.

-          Grant Holt didn’t look like his usual self, and didn’t have as many chances as he usually does.

-          Centre midfield looked all over the place, with Johnson and Crofts looking out of sorts.

Steve Morison

Have to go with Steve Morison as he didn’t give up even until the very end. I was impressed as he ran even when he knew he wouldn’t be able to do much with the ball. He helped to set up opportunities for us and held up the ball for his team mates.

Frazier Campbell

As he looked enthusiastic since he returned from his injury early last year. He scored a fantastic goal tonight, and Sunderland will have to fight to keep him in the summer if he continues to show the form he is in at the moment.

Match report by  Harry Woolacott