Sargent knows the drill, says Wagner
SIX-SHOOTER Josh Sargent left it late to keep Norwich in the hunt for a play-off place.
The USA striker’s sixth goal in as many games left the Canaries a point behind sixth-placed Hull.
Sargent ended Sunderland’s stubborn resistance nine minutes from time to take his goal tally for the season to 11.
Manager David Wagner said: “He deserves all the praise and all the credit.
“Everyone loves a goalscorer but his link-up play and how he pressed the defenders was great.”
Norwich had the better of a first half played in relentless rain. Sargent saw a drive deflected over by Jenson Seelt before Black Cats keeper Anthony Patterson tipped over Borja Sainz’s blaster.
It was a similar story in a sunnier second half which began with Jack Stacey’s cross bouncing off the bar and Patterson blocking Ashley Barnes’ follow-up.
Patterson then saved to deny Gabriel Sara – who blasted a great chance over when Seelt gifted him possession.
Suddenly Sunderland came alive at the other end but Callum Styles got the ball stuck under his feet at the crucial moment.
Canaries keeper Angus Gunn diverted Abdoullah Ba’s shot on to the bar – and Jobe Bellingham’s goal was chalked off for offside straight after.
Sargent swivelled to net from close range as Seelt and Leo Hjelde failed to clear a bouncing ball and the final whistle left the Black Cats reeling from a fourth straight loss.
Interim boss Mike Dodds said: “At the moment we are in a bit of a spot, I’m not shying away from that, but I don’t see a group that has given up.” NORWICH: Gunn 6; Stacey 7, Hanley 6, Gibson 7, Giannoulis 6; Sara 6, Mclean 6; Fassnacht 6 (Gibbs (74) 5), Barnes 6 (Van Hooijdonk (61) 5), Sainz 6 (Sorensen (88) 5); Sargent 7 (Mccallum (89) 5) SUNDERLAND: Patterson 7; Hume 7, Seelt 6, O’nien 7, Hjelde 6; Neil 7, Ekwah 6; Mundle 5 (Ba (66) 5), Bellingham 5 (Burstow (86) 5), Styles 5 (Rigg (74) 4); Semedo 4 (Rusyn (66) 5) STAR MAN: Josh Sargent – Norwich man struck late on to make it six goals in his last six games.
Thomas Kirk 6