Match ends, Sunderland 1, Norwich City 3.
SunderlandSunderland1NorwichNorwich City3
Norwich City stunned Sunderland at the Stadium of Light to earn a deserved first win of the season.
Russell Martin opened the scoring fortuitously, inadvertently turning the ball home after Costel Pantilimon parried a Robbie Brady shot.
Steven Whittaker slammed home a second after a one-two with Wes Hoolahan, who also assisted in the Canaries' third from Nathan Redmond after the break.
Duncan Watmore then scored a late consolation on his Sunderland debut.
The 21-year-old struck with the Black Cats' second shot on target in the 88th minute, by which time many home fans had already left the ground.
The result leaves Dick Advocaat's side, who were beaten 4-2 at Leicester on the opening day, bottom of the Premier League table after two games.
Did Sunderland defend any better than last week?
It was difficult to tell because of Norwich's urgency, fluidity and snappiness in attack.
The away side's opening goal might have had a heavy hint of fortune - goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon was particularly unlucky to concede seconds after brilliantly turning the ball behind for a corner - but it was certainly well deserved.
Manager Alex Neil is now unbeaten in 13 away games since taking over in January and his team were well on top throughout. Hoolahan was composed and inventive and Redmond a constant menace with his pace.
Goalkeeper John Ruddy, relatively untroubled behind a solid Norwich defence throughout, pounded the ground in frustration after seeing Watmore's slightly miscued volley bounce in late on.
What next for manager Dick Advocaat?
It would be interesting to hear the Sunderland manager's thoughts on the work that is still required to transform his side.
There was less of the defensive calamity that marked their opening-day defeat, but instead the Black Cats looked toothless in attack.
Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher threatened sporadically but were isolated for long periods with seemingly little connection to midfield, where new signing Yann M'Vila made his debut.
The 25-year-old was outdone by youngster Watmore, whose every enthusiastic contribution was cheered by the home fans.
In truth, though, none of the four attackers on show - including substitute Danny Graham - looked likely to provide the presence Sunderland will need this season.
Manager reaction
Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat: "Two games two defeats, we did not expect. We have to discuss with the players how we go on.
"It was the same in pre-season and you hoped it would change but it is not changing. Myself as well, I am responsible for that, no doubt.
"They can talk and I can talk. Together we have to find out if we can find the solution, otherwise we have no chance."
Norwich City manager Alex Neil: "I thought it was very good, similar to last week in that we dominated the game.
"We had the cutting edge this time though. The first goal is crucial - we didn't look back. I have a great group, they work hard and work as a team."
Man of the Match
'A field day for the pundits'
BBC football analyst Garth Crooks on Final Score: "From what I've seen both last week and this week, I don't think Sunderland are going to stay in the Premier League. Whoever does Match of the Day tonight is going to have a field day."
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The stats you need to know
- Sunderland have conceded seven goals after two games for the first time since the 1970-71 season, playing in the old Second Division
- The Black Cats have conceded 12 times in their last six Premier League home games
- Nathan Redmond has scored five goals in his last six Norwich appearances
- Wes Hoolahan has assisted three goals in the first two games of the Premier League season
Line-ups
Sunderland
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Pantilimon
- 2Jones
- 22Coates
- 15Kaboul
- 3van Aanholt
- 7LarssonSubstituted forGrahamat 45'minutes
- 6Cattermole
- 21M'Vila
- 17LensBooked at 9mins
- 26FletcherSubstituted forWatmoreat 70'minutes
- 18Defoe
Substitutes
- 4Bridcutt
- 8Rodwell
- 12Matthews
- 16O'Shea
- 19Graham
- 25Mannone
- 41Watmore
Norwich
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Ruddy
- 2Whittaker
- 5Martin
- 6BassongBooked at 7mins
- 12Brady
- 18Dorrans
- 27TetteyBooked at 48mins
- 22RedmondSubstituted forO'Neilat 83'minutes
- 14HoolahanSubstituted forJohnsonat 62'minutes
- 8Howson
- 10JeromeSubstituted forGrabbanat 68'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Wisdom
- 4Johnson
- 7Grabban
- 11Hooper
- 13Rudd
- 24Bennett
- 28O'Neil
- Referee:
- Kevin Friend
- Attendance:
- 41,379
Match Stats
Home TeamSunderlandAway TeamNorwich
- Possession
- Home44%
- Away56%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away18
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away6
- Corners
- Home6
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sunderland 1, Norwich City 3.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Bradley Johnson (Norwich City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Bradley Johnson (Norwich City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lewis Grabban with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Norwich City. Conceded by Younes Kaboul.
Goal!
Goal! Sunderland 1, Norwich City 3. Duncan Watmore (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner following a set piece situation.
Post update
Hand ball by Steven Whittaker (Norwich City).
Post update
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Russell Martin.
Substitution
Substitution, Norwich City. Gary O'Neil replaces Nathan Redmond.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Bradley Johnson (Norwich City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lewis Grabban.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Bradley Johnson (Norwich City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nathan Redmond.
Post update
Corner, Norwich City. Conceded by Younes Kaboul.
Post update
Foul by Graham Dorrans (Norwich City).
Post update
Yann M'Vila (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Norwich City. Conceded by Younes Kaboul.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Lewis Grabban (Norwich City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Robbie Brady.
Post update
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Steven Whittaker.
Post update
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Bradley Johnson.
Substitution
Substitution, Sunderland. Duncan Watmore replaces Steven Fletcher.
Substitution
Substitution, Norwich City. Lewis Grabban replaces Cameron Jerome.
