FT: Norwich 0-3 Sunderland

1. Sunderland climb to within a point of safety
2. Sunderland XI: Mannone; Yedlin, van Aanholt, Kaboul, Kone, Kirchhoff, M'Vila, Cattermole, Borini, Khazri, Defoe
3. Norwich XI: Ruddy; Wisdom, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Jarvis, Howson, O'Neil (c), Brady; Naismith; Mbokani

That's all folks...

Getty Images

What was it we said at the start of this live text?

Sunderland and relegation are like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, always together.

Well have you ever seen Mickey and Minnie in a story with a sad ending? I haven't. Sunderland are still hoping, still dreaming of a beautiful finish.

Thanks for all your tweets and texts, head on over to our Premier League live text now for the latest goings on.

Manchester United have just kicked off against Aston Villa who know they can still survive with a run of wins until the end of the season and several wins by a heavy margin. Easy.

You can follow it live here.

'They answered questions'

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce speaks to BBC Sport: “A huge win and the lads have been able to take the pressure today which is something I was a little anxious about this morning. The position we’ve left ourselves in was making me feel a bit edgy this morning. Will we handle the pressure? Will we cope with the pressure? They’ve answered me questions.  

“The most pleasing thing of all was the clean sheet, that is our way forward with five games to go. I know if we can keep two or three clean sheets in those game we’ll be safe because I know we can score."

Talk about a deflating day...

Getty Images

And these didn't do much good either...

Getty Images

Big Sam on Defoe...

Sam Allardyce comments on the performance of Jermain Defoe: “People said he couldn’t play up front on his own and he’s put that myth to bed since I’ve been here. He does what we need him to do. 

"Today he put us on the right track to winning and that made life a bit more desperate for Norwich. If we can keep our solid defensive unit going, with Jermain Defoe and Duncan Watmore back, I’ve got good options, a full squad which is keeping fit, and hopefully this will give us a lot of confidence going to Arsenal next week."

Big Sam reacts...

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce speaks to BT Sport: “It makes us all feel a little better on the basis of the size of the game, we’ve closed that gap and there’s still a game in hand and that all-important clean sheet was the key element for our victory today. 

"Counter-attacking football with quality goals at the end of it and it could have been more. It’s a fantastic 3-0 win for us without us playing all that well. 

"Playing well doesn’t matter, all that matters is results and it’s a big, big win. Hopefully it’ll spur us on to other victories because we need it to be safe. We sold every ticket we could get and we’re sending them home happy.”

Clinical JD...

And what about Jermain Defoe? Just 24 touches in all, he barely comes back at all and is sometimes so lonely up front. But he gets the job done doesn't he? He focuses his work in and around the area, sniffing the chances and ultimately finding the net.

.

Fully deserved?

Norwich covered 107km as a team, completing 474 sprints.

Sunderland covered 111km and 524 sprints.

Getty Images

What an outing for Duncan Watmore too, he only played eight passes after coming on and completed all of them before netting the third. Not a bad 45 minutes off the bench then?

The wall...

Sunderland defender Lamine Kone had 12 duels according to Opta today and won 91% of them. He made 19 clearances in all.

Player reaction

Getty Images

Lee Cattermole speaks to BT Sport: “The message was not to get beat today. We’ve played well since the turn of the year, but we haven’t found the way to win. We’ve drawn a lot of games…

"We believe in ourselves. Today we showed character, commitment and desire and it gives us a good chance.”

Dion Dublin

Former Leicester and Aston Villa forward on Final Score

"Sam would not care if they scored one goal from one shot. They had to win, regardless how they did it, and Sunderland had a little bit more quality and experience. Sunderland showed today they could do it."

Player reaction

Reuters

Sunderland's Fabio Borini speaks to BT Sport: “He almost broke my leg so it was definitely a penalty. We show that we can beat any team if we play football like we know. We know we’ve put pressure on the others but we need to focus on ourselves.”

Sunderland had three shots on target today.

But Big Sam, the relegation-avoiding master that he is, will probably tell us he knew they'd score from them all.

We should hear from him shortly.

Reuters

So come on then, before the 3pm games send me your thoughts. Who goes down? 

If Sunderland win their game in hand Norwich are in the bottom three. 

Tweet me on #bbcfootball.

Terry Butcher

Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

"It wasn't the most complete performance. Sunderland had opportunities and took them, they looked stronger as the game went on. 

"It is a nervous time in Norfolk, they have got to dwell on this for two weeks."

.

Just the 19 shots and 64% possession for Norwich and yet a 3-0 defeat. What must Alex Neil be thinking?

John Murray

BBC Radio 5 live commentator at Carrow Road

"Norwich will feel a number of decisions did not go their way but Sunderland and Sam Allardyce, you have to pay them credit for this victory."

Shohidur Rahman: Sunderland have played some good football today. Unusual for a Big Sam team.

Owen Philp: Great result for Sunderland. Watmore could you want?

Andy Baber: Sunderland were always going to win today. Big Sam doesn't get relegated.

FULL-TIME

PA

What a stunning Sunderland result. 

Big Sam's side struck on half-time, stayed solid throughout and ruthlessly punished moments of home weakness. Their away fans have made a monster journey and the ride home will be a happy one.

Are Norwich going down?