23/12/2024 11:28
The Bristol Street Motors-backed side head into the game looking to strengthen its position in the play-off places but it was Norwich who started the stronger as Anthony Patterson was forced into a smart save to deny Emiliano Marcondes the opening goal.
Patterson could do nothing however when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to Anis Ben Slimane in the six yard box, where he smashed in the opening goal to put the visitors in front.
Norwich held the lead until early in the second half when Sunderland won a free-kick out wide and the ball eventually found its way onto the head of Dan Ballard to nod in the equaliser.
Sunderland had a chance to go ahead when Wilson Isidor burst clear only to fire over the bar before Norwich were reduced to ten men when Jose Cordoba was dismissed for two yellow cards.
The home side made the extra man pay when Jobe Bellingham curled in a shot from inside the box to put the Black Cats ahead although there was still time for a scare at the other end when Patterson was forced to turn an effort from Ashley Barnes against the post.
Going into Christmas and the busy festive period of games, Sunderland sit fourth in the table, two points off the automatic promotion spots and five off leaders Sheffield United.
Away trips to Blackburn and Stoke are to come over the next week before a big New Years Day game at home to the league leaders.